I've already told you about my love for granola but allow me reiterate how much the hubs and I adore this healthy snack. We eat it for breakfast with fresh yogurt or kefir and snack on it in the afternoon with some berries. Since I had some left over pumpkin puree I thought this recipe would be a great way to finish it off. Now when I first started stirring things together the mixture seemed to be over taken by the maple syrup, DONT WORRY once it has baked all the flavors meld together perfectly and you end up with a not too sweet crunchy bowl of goodness. And when it all said and done you can add just about anything to the mix: cranberries, dried apples or apricots, cashews, pecans, coconut...etc  

Make sure you give the granola a good stir while it is in the oven to ensure even browning and discourage sticking...  

Store in a jar and give some to your neighbor for a frugal fall gift....

Pumpkin Spice Granola

• 3 1/2 cups rolled oats
• 2 1/2 cups puffed brown rice cereal
• 2 tsp pumpkin pie spice
• pinch ground cardamom
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 cup brown sugar (I used 1/2 cup of Sucanat)
• 1/2 cup homemade pumpkin puree, or from a can
• 1/4 cup homemade applesauce, or store bought
• 1/4 cup mapple syrup
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• up to 1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (I used almonds)
• dried fruit (optional)

Preheat the oven to 325F and line a large baking sheet (or two smaller sheets) with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, combine oats, puffed rice cereal. In a medium bowl, whisk together spices, salt, sugar, applesauce (do not use chunky applesauce), pumpkin puree, maple syrup and vanilla. Whisk until very smooth.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir with a spatula or large spoon until mixture is evenly coated. Spread on prepared baking sheet(s) in an even layer.
Bake for 30 minutes, then turn over the granola carefully using a large wide spatula. Sprinkle the nuts onto the granola, then bake everything for additional 15 minutes, until crisp and golden. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, the center might not be fully dried if your granola layer is thick, so if necessary remove the edges of the cooked granola to a cooling rack and let the rest cook for another 10-15 minutes until done.

Cool on pan or on a fine wire rack. Break granola up as desired and store in an airtight container. Add dried fruit before serving

Makes about 8 servings