Honey Flax Granola Recipe

INGREDIENTS

2 1/4 Cups  Rolled Oats (or 1 Cup Rolled Oats, 1/2 Cup Spelt, 1/2 Cup Puffed Rice and 1/4 Cup Puffed Millet)

1/4 Cup  Wheat Germ

1/4 Cup  Sliced Almonds

1/4 Cup  Pumpkin Seeds

1/3 Cup  Organic Honey

1/4 Cup  Apple Sauce

1 tsp  Ground Cinnamon

1 tsp  Vanilla

1/2 Cup  Dried Cranberries

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the cranberries until everything is covered with honey and apple sauce.

2. Preheat oven to 300 degrees.  Line a baking sheet pan with parchment paper.

3. Pour mixture onto baking sheet pan, and bake for 40 minutes, mixing every 10 - 15 minutes.

4. Cool completely and mix in the cranberries.

Store in an air tight container and enjoy with milk, on top of yogurt or by itself.

Granola Time!

So, on a different note, I’ve been on this granola craze for a while now.  In part due to my job, since it’s hard to eat healthy, I try to find ways to snack healthier or pack healthier meals.  So granola is my go-to health kick.  That got me thinking, I wonder if I could make my own granola!  I found this one pumpkin granola recipe that I thought would be a great idea to try since the holidays are right around the corner.  I could eat it and gift it, ^^.

 The first batch was tasty, but the clusters were way too hard.  I had to soak it in milk before eating it.  The second batch I made didn’t have any pumpkin in it, and the consistency was perfect!  It was my version of a honey flax granola.  Since I had left over pumpkin from batch numero uno, I wanted to see if I could combine the two recipes and give pumpkin another go.  However…it still didn’t make the cut, “/.  I think the pumpkin puree makes the granola soggy, so if you don’t bake it long enough it has a stale consistency.  And if you bake it too long, it gets too hard.  Trial and error, but I think for sure that I won’t be making any pumpkin granola anymore, =P.    

After more finagling of the original recipe, I successfully made a crispy crunchy granola that wouldn't break your teeth!  I decided to throw spelt and puffed rice into the mix to give it a soft crunchy texture.  Although I couldn't mimic the exact taste and texture of the granola I usually purchase, it totally makes the cut for being a healthy and scrumptious treat, =).  Top off your favorite yogurt or eat it just like cereal and enjoy!