I rarely eat breakfast. I know I’m supposed to and that it’s the most important meal of the day, but I never do. I’m rarely hungry till about 1 PM when I’m out and about and end up grabbing something bad for me at a bodega. So….yeah…..breakfast is a good idea huh? I am going to try to eat breakfast more. And the first step to me doing that is to make things that are so tasty that I wake up out of excitement to eat them. I mean that’s a little much……but this granola is pretty amazing.
Several days after I made this granola my apartment still smelled like pumpkin pie when I opened the door. That in itself is a good reason to make this, but it’s also tasty, totally healthy, and the perfect fall-like breakfast to eat on a crisp morning. It takes under and hour to throw together and even less than that to make your home smell awesome!
Thank you all so much for the sweet engagement wishes. I am so excited to start planning! The only decisions we have made so far is that the wedding will be in Milwaukee (way easier on my family and our budget,) and I am hoping for next October (I am a sucker for the fall.) Other than that- I have to wait until Thanksgiving week when I can go look at some venues with Andy and my parents. I am crossing my fingers that I can find a rustic, loft-like, exposed brick-type space. Anyone from Wisconsin know anything amazing?
- 5 cups rolled oats
- ?1½ teaspoons cinnamon
- ?1/2 teaspoon ginger
- ?1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- ⅛ teaspoon cloves
- ?3/4 tsp. salt?
- ¾ cup brown sugar
- ¾ cup pumpkin puree?
- ¼ cup applesauce?
- ¼ cup maple syrup (agave would work too)
- ?1 teaspoon vanilla extract?
- ¾ cup dried cranberries?
- ½ cup pepitas (optional)
- Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup or agave and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and stir in dried cranberries and pepitas. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
- Serve with Milk or Yogurt, or enjoy plain!
healthyfoodietravels says
November 11, 2011 at 3:01 pmThis looks wonderful! I’m definitely useless without a solid breakfast – cranky, no energy, a walking storm cloud ;)
Congratulations to Kristen!
Tina says
November 11, 2011 at 4:37 pmCongrats to Kristen! Some crunchy spicy granola sure sounds good and I know how much it can kick start your morning or afternoon. Tasty list of ingredients here-yum! Have a great weekend!
nicole {sweet peony} says
November 11, 2011 at 5:09 pmyummm this looks so good! i’ve been wanting to make it since i saw it on two peas & now you reminded me to do it :) this would be awesome on some greek yogurt!
by the way, your vision for your wedding sounds beautiful so far! happy planning & happy friday audra!
Amalia says
November 11, 2011 at 6:42 pmCongratulations Kristen :) This granola looks so delicious, I love the pumpkin spice!
Veronica Gantley says
November 11, 2011 at 7:26 pmOh yeah! this would be great on top of my greek yogurt. Thanks for sharing.
Emily says
November 12, 2011 at 2:20 amUmmm, pumpkin granola! I love it!
warmvanillasugar says
November 12, 2011 at 12:35 pmThis sounds so yummy! Also, congrats winner!
Curry and Comfort says
November 12, 2011 at 9:35 pmCongrats to the winner. :)
Jay Geneske says
November 13, 2011 at 12:24 amThis looks incredible. Adding it to my list.
Chef Dennis says
November 13, 2011 at 12:54 amcan you believe I have never made granola! your pumpkin spice granola sounds so good, I wish I had some right now to munch on!
Yasmeen says
November 13, 2011 at 7:26 amHey Audra, lovely recipe and your new blog design looks great! Congrats on that and also your engagement, how exciting!
In Katrina's Kitchen says
November 13, 2011 at 3:33 pmI LOOOOOOVE your new design! Congratulations!!!
Sandra says
November 13, 2011 at 8:46 pmLovely recipe Audra, and I love your makeover!!! Cute!!! congrats to the winner!
Aly says
November 14, 2011 at 1:30 amLove your blog. And I can’t wait to try this recipe. Sounds so yummy! I’ve been looking for a great granola recipe and I think I’ve found it :)
Roxana GreenGirl {A little bit of everything} says
November 14, 2011 at 10:59 amCongratulation for your engagement! I’d have jumped with joy too!
This granola sounds so delicious!
Love the new design!
Grubarazzi says
November 14, 2011 at 4:48 pmGreat granola recipe. I’ll have to make a huge batch of this.
Anonymous says
November 22, 2011 at 6:14 pmAudra!! I’m using the pumpkin pie cupcake recipe for my first Thanksgiving with my in-laws!! Thanks for the great idea!!
Healthy Granola says
May 7, 2013 at 11:45 amGood post. The sweet scent of the pumpkin seems to give additional appetizing smell. Thanks for the post.