Pumpkin Granola

Recipe by Two Peas and Their Pod adapted from Baking Bites

Oh... my favorite time of year... Fall!  It's almost here!  And so, to celebrate, I made this delicious granola.  My husband loves granola and yogurt for breakfast and I came across this recipe and had to try it. Not only is it delicious, but it makes your house smell absolutely a-mazing! 

5 cups rolled oats

1 tsp pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 tsp nutmeg

3/4 tsp salt

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/4 cup maple syrup

1 tsp vanilla extract

3/4 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup pepitas (shelled pumpkin seeds*)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.  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 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 15-20 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 granola with yogurt, milk, or enjoy plain.

*I found pepitas in the bulk foods section at WinCo