9.29.2011

The First of Many: Pumpkin Granola

I'm fairly certain this will be the first of many pumpkin/winter squash recipes featured here.  I only began pumpkining two or three years ago, so when the season comes I tend to wear it out like my favorite pair of fall boots.  Hopefully you'll indulge me a recipe or two this season.


I stumbled upon this recipe over at A Lovely Escape but the original recipe comes from here.  Both blogs are beautiful if you are in the market for new reading material.  I made this last Sunday, and it has been a wonderful addition to my Greek yogurt breakfasts all week.




Cast of Characters: 
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 (I used Trader Joe's dried orange cranberries), chopped
1/2 cup pepitas

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped (not photographed, they were a game time addition)


1)  Combine rolled oats, spices and salt in a large bowl.
2) Add pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla and brown sugar to a medium bowl.  Whisk until combined and sugar is dissolved.




3) Pour oats into the wet ingredients mixture and toss until the oats are fully coated.




4) Spread oat mixture onto a parchment or Silpat lined baking sheet.  Place in a pre-heated 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.




5) After 20 minutes, remove the baking sheet from the oven and stir.  Return to the oven for an additional 20 minutes or until golden brown and crisp (Note: I baked mine for 40-45 minutes and it is sticky, I might bump up the bake time to 45-50 minutes to dry it out further, just watch it!)  Remove from the oven, add in cranberries, pepitas and walnuts.  Set aside to cool. 


This recipe makes a whole lotta  granola, which is delicious on its own, with milk or yogurt.  


*As you can see in the ingredients picture I used pumpkin pie filling instead of straight pumpkin puree.  Since pumpkin pie filling is already spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, I omitted the spices.  Take a note from my mistake and taste your pie filling if you use it in lieu of puree. Mine was bland, bland, bland and I didn't taste it before baking the granola so my granola isn't as flavorful as I imagine it could be.  Also,
save the remainder of your pumpkin puree, I'm hoping to have a homemade pop tart recipe for you next week!   


Have a wonderful weekend, I have a girly two days with an early morning shopping event, fabric store trip, girl's night out and photo shoot planned! 

16 comments:

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Cara that looks good!!! I've never had pumpkin granola before. You have an awesome weekend too girl! Love your weekend plans! :D
http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/
SassyUptownChic xoxo Kim

Style Dilettante said...

I know - I tend to do the same and have pumpkin burnout!!! But I'm not there yet! And I think this recipe is the best way to kick off the pumpkin season... forget the pumpkin latte at Starbucks! Thanks for sharing this with us (and your useful tips!)

http://www.inherentstylela.com/

Gloria said...

Love that pumpkin recipes are starting to pop up :-) This looks amazing!

skippysays said...

I love pumpkin anything and have made my fair share of pumpkin granolas over the years :) I actually always end up putting in more spices than whatever the recipe calls for because I always like my flavors bolder and more pronounced. have a great, fun, girly weekend!
www.saysskippy.blogspot.com

Meagan said...

That sounds so good! Can't wait to hear more of your pumpkin recipes!
-Meagan
www.spunkychateau.com

kristina@beancakes ★ said...

hi cara ~ mmm! pumpkin granola sounds delicious!! i've been meaning to make homemade granola so i think i will give yours a try!! thanks for stopping by my blog, i'll be sure to visit yours again! and the h&m booties are black, i know it's sometimes hard to tell ;) ;)
xoxo ~ kristina

Dania @ Always Dania said...

looks so so delicious!!

http://xoxo-carolinalove.blogspot.com

A Very Sweet Blog said...

Hey Cara! Check my blog. I just gave you an award! WOOT!
http://sassyuptownchic.blogspot.com/

jaclyn @ thelateafternoon said...

pumpkin seeds sound like a great addition to granola - perfect for fall!

Claire said...

this is so cool! i need to make my own granola because honestly the stuff at the store is so fattening and full of sugar!

spinning-threads.blogspot.com

elissa :: ebb & flow said...

oh great recipe! i'm on a pumpkin streak right now so this will have to be added to the baking list!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

You say pumpkin, I say yum!

Anonymous said...

Cara, I love your recipes. I'm very tempted to make this granola and eat the entire bowl while watching "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown." Mmmmm...

I gave you an award on my blog today! Go check it out, but you're under no obligation to participate. :)

Jen @ redsolesandredwine said...

Yummy! I love Audrey from A lovely escape (my fellow chicago blogger) great post!

www.redsolesandredwine.com

Hilary Ayers-Kurtz said...

This looks delicious!
I'm your newest follower!

Hilary
theyoungandthenaive.blogspot.com

J. S. said...

That looks like a great pumpkin granola recipe! I've had a variation before, but this looks better :D

Post a Comment

I love hearing from you, sweet readers! Your comments and suggestions make my day!