Pumpkin Spice Granola

I love granola. It is so great in the morning with vanilla yogurt and fresh berries or simply on its own with a little milk. My only problem with it is buying it and finding out it is loaded with uneccesary sugar. I prefer the Bear Naked Granola but even some of those have a lot of sugar. I was pleased to find some promising recipes online with room to tweak the recipes and make it my own. Making granola at home is easy, makes your house smell amazing and you can control what goes in it and how much sugar there is. This is just the perfect fall granola recipe...I'm kind of in love with it.

Pumpkin Spice Granola
Adapted from petitchef.com & Greens and Chocolate

Ingredients:

3 1/2 cups rolled oats
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp cloves
1/2 tsp salt
1/3 cup brown sugar/splenda blend
1/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup applesauce
2 tbsp maple syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds (not salted), chopped (food processor helps)

Directions:

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

In large bowl, combine spices, salt, brown sugar, pumpkin, applesauce, maple syrup, and vanilla. Whisk to combine. Add oats and stir to combine.

Spread onto prepared baking sheet.

Bake 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, stir granola around on baking sheet. Sprinkle with nuts and bake 15 more minutes. If the granola is not completely done (most likely the middle of the sheet depending on the size of your baking sheet) stir around a little more and bake 5-10 more minutes. Keep close eye if baking the extra 5-10 minutes.

Cool on pan. After cool, add in dried fruit.