Favorite Granola

3 ¼ cups Oats (Old Fashioned or Quick—any combination)
1 ¼ cup white wheat flour-freshly ground if possible
1 1/3 cup shredded coconut
¼ cup flax seed (optional)
1 cup or more coarsely chopped almonds and/or pecans
1 cup brown sugar
1 stick butter
1/3 cup water
½ tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
½ tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cardamom

Preheat oven to 300. In a large mixing bowl combine the oats, flour, flax seed, coconut and nuts. Set aside. In a saucepan over medium heat, combine brown sugar, butter, and water and heat until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Using a wooden spoon, stir the mixture together until smooth, and then stir in the salt, vanilla and spices. Pour mixture over the oats mixture and stir will to coat. Let stand for about 10 minutes.
Spread mixture on a large baking sheet, separating it into irregular clumps with your fingers, and allowing space between clumps for the hot air to circulate. Slide it into the middle of the oven and bake until the top is golden brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from the oven and stir to break up the mixture into medium sized clumps. Return to the oven and bake again for 15 minutes before stirring again. Bake for another 15 minutes or until the granola is uniform golden brown and completely dry—this usually takes me about 45 minutes . Cool completely on a wire rack. Store in an air tight container.

Steel cut oats & barley

1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 cup barley
4 cups water
1 1/2 cups apple juice
1 tsp. Cinnamon

Cover and cook on low 6-7 hours in crockpot

PB granola bars

cooking spray
1 egg white
1/2 cup chunky PB
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup honey
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup slivered almonds, toasted *see cook's note
1/3 cup mini choc chips

Position rack in the middle of the oven. Preheat to 350*Spray 7x10" baking dish and line with parchment and spray again.

In a medium bowl, using a hand beater, beat the egg white until frothy. Stir in the PB, brown sugar, and honey. Add the melted butter, oats and almonds. Stir to combine, then add the choc chips.

Using a rubber spatula, spread mixture into the prepared pan, pressing lightly to form an even layer. Bake until the edge begins to brown, about 15 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool for at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 1/2 inch squares.

Cooks note: to toast almonds, arrange in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated 350* oven until lightly browned, about 8 to 10 minutes.
From Giada

Crockpot Steel Cut Oats

Serves 4
1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup raisins
3 1/2 cups water
1/2 tsp salt
Combine all ingredients in small to medium slow cooker. Cook on low for 8 hours. Serve with milk or cream, if desired.

OVernight Apple Pie Steel Cut Oats

2-4 servings

Ingredients:
1 cup steel cut oats
1 3/4 cups milk
1-2 tablespoons brown sugar
6 ounces all-natural applesauce
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
3/8 teaspoon nutmeg
1/8 teaspoon cardamom
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 large apple, chopped (about 1 1/2 cups)
1/3 cup pecans, chopped

Directions:
In a nonmetal bowl combine oats, brown sugar, applesauce, cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and salt. Stir in milk; cover and chill for 8 to 24 hours.

To serve, transfer oatmeal mixture to a medium saucepan. Stir in 1 cup of apples, reserving the remaining 1/2 cup for garnish. Heat just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, uncovered, for 5 minutes or until oatmeal is done, adding additional milk if desired and stirring occasionally. Remove from heat. Spoon into 4 bowls; sprinkle with apples and pecans. Serve with additional milk, if desired.

Recipe from Good Life Eats

Pumpkin Granola or Bars

Pumpkin Granola

5 cups rolled oats
1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
¾ tsp. salt
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup maple syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cup dried cranberries
1/2 cup pepitas

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.

3. 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.

4. 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.

*Note-serve granola with yogurt, milk, or enjoy plain.

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Granola Bars

3 1/4 cups old fashioned oats
1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
¾ cup brown sugar
½ cup pumpkin puree
¼ cup applesauce
¼ cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 by 8 baking pan with cooking spray and set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk oats, spices, and salt together. Set aside.

3. In a medium bowl, whisk brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, honey, and vanilla extract until smooth. Pour over oats and stir well, until all of the oats are moist. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Evenly press oat mixture into prepared pan. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. The pumpkin keeps the bars moist, so make sure they are golden and set-you don’t want them to be under baked. Remove from oven and let cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes.

5. Using a sharp knife, cut into bars. Remove from pan and let cool completely.

Makes 10-12 granola bars

*Note-these didn’t last long in our house, so feel free to double the recipe and bake in a 9 by 13 pan.

Kelsey's Granola

Kelsey's Granola
6 cups oats
3/4 cup honey
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 tsp salt
1-2 Tbs cinnamon (depending on your preference)
2 Tbs vanilla
1 cup coconut
1 cup craisins, raisins, or other dried fruit
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup almonds (or any other nuts you have)
1/2 cup flax seed or wheat germ (optional~to give it an extra little health kick)

Combine all ingredients in a LARGE bowl. Spray a large cookie sheet with cooking spray and bake at 375 for 10-15 minutes, or until golden brown. (I like mine soft and chewy, so I only bake it for 8-10, but if you like it crunchy, it will be more like 15 minutes.)