Pumpkin Patch-Part 1

I ran onto a homemade Pumpkin Granola at at The Rustic Chick. It really gets you into the Fall season. I used a large can of Pumpkin so I decided to go ahead and try these other pumpkin recipes that I have  found on Pinterest, online, in cookbooks, etc. So October is going to be Pumpkin Recipe Month

Pumpkin Granola

4 cups rolled oats

1 cup almonds, chopped

1 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

3/4 tsp. salt

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/2 cup pumpkin puree

1/3 cup unsweetened applesauce

2 tbls. maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Optional: 3/4-1 cup dried cranberries

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line your baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl: mix together oats, chopped almonds, pumpkin pie spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt until well combined.

In a separate bowl: combine brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract and using a whisk or fork, whisk until smooth.

Add wet (sugar) mixture to the dry ingredients with a spatula, mix until everything is coated. If it seems too dry, add a little more applesauce and maple syrup.

Spread the granola mixture onto the baking sheet. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Carefully remove and mix for even baking. Then bake for additional 18-20 minutes or until granola looks nice and golden.

Remove from oven and let cool before stirring in the dried cranberries. Store in airtight container!