Pumpkin Pie Spice, Coconut Oil, and Craisins Granola

Granola...the word makes us think of nuts and oats and wholesomeness. But is it really healthy? Well, it should be and that's why I'm making my own. I love granola, either as a cold cereal eaten with milk or just like it is. But when you read the labels of many granola bars and cereals you see lots of questionable ingredients. And its expensive! Really, this stuff is so easy to make your gonna kick yourself for not making your own before now.

The granola I'm making today is from Lovely Little Kitchen. There are many ways you can make granola but this one has pumpkin pie spice, well isn't it the time of year for anything pumpkin? Okay, it really doesn't have pumpkin, just the pie spice but still...

I added some Craisins to the mixture, I just like some sort of fruit in mine. Craisins are really just sugared up dried cranberries with grape and blueberry juice, but they were on sale, don't judge. You don't have to add them of course, or you could substitute another dried fruit.

Chop half the pecans very fine and chop half of them into larger pieces

Mix the nuts with all the other dry ingredients

Melt the honey with the coconut oil then add vanilla

Mix everything together

Pour onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 5 minutes

Stir the granola and return to oven for another 5-7 minutes

Take out and spread out on another sheet of parchment paper to cool.

When cooled break up the chucks and enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pecans, divided (you could use almonds)
• 3 cups old fashioned oats
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup sunflower seed kernels (not the ones in the shell)
• 1/2 cup Craisins or other small or diced dried fruit
• 1 1/2 rounded teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
• 1/3 cup honey
• 3 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees
2. Line baking pan with parchment paper (the kind of pans with a little side works best)
3. Use a food processor, chopper, or blender to chop 1/2 the pecans finely
4. Chop the 1/2 of the pecans into bigger chunks
5. Mix all the pecans, oats, salt, brown sugar, snuflower seed kernels, dried fruit, and pumpkin pie spice together in a large mixing bowl.
6. Put the honey and coconut oil in a microwave safe bowl and microwave for 40 seconds.
7. Add vanilla to the honey & coconut oil
8. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and mix well. Don't be afraid to use your hands.
9. Spread onto the prepared baking pan
10. Bake for 5 minutes
11. Stir and bake for another 5-7 minutes. Watch carefully as it burns easily.
12. Spread out onto clean wax paper or parchment paper till it is about 1/4" thick and allow to cool
13. Break / crumble into pieces and store in airtight container.

I could barely keep myself out of it while it cooled and hubby was in it before I could even start taking pictures. It really turned out good!