Pumpkin Spice Granola

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving Day! P and I had a really good visit with our families and ate enough to last us for the week so we have planned a week long fast! HA just joking. One thing that I realized just last night was, now that Thanksgiving is over, the pumpkin season is officially over :(. It really made me want to cry as I took town my three sweet pumpkins that were part of my "fall decorations". P and I were both excited to finally pull out the Christmas lights and officially start the season...but after seeing the those sweet guys perched up my shelf I had second thoughts about ending the pumpkin season...
As an ode to my sweet orange friends....

God made your season fall

My most favorite of all!

If I had my way, you'd be here all year

But, His plan was to make you special and dear.

To those who notice His blessings above

It's evident that your made special with His sweet love.

Although your bitter, I know you as sweet

Those who could care less see you as a simple treat.

Your orange glow is contagious when eaten so much

I must say- You are truly a work of God's creative touch.

Here is a also a good recipe that I will undoubtedly use throughout the entire year. I have toyed with the possibilities of making a batch or two to share with friends and families over the holidays as well!

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Ingredients:

2 C puffed rice

1 1/2 C Oats (not instant)

1/2 C nuts (I used pumpkin seeds and cashews but I'm sure pecans or walnuts would be just as good!)

2 tsp pumpkin spice

3 Tbs pumpkin puree

3 Tbs apple sauce

2 Tbs coconut oil (melted)

2 Tbs agave nectar (or 3 depending on how sweet you like your granola)

1 tsp vanilla

Directions:

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. On a baking sheet spread the oats and any nuts that are not already roasted. Bake for about 10 minutes or until everything is nice and toasty.

2. While the oats and nuts are toasting, mix together the spice, puree, oil, apple sauce, agave, and vanilla.

3. In a large bowl combine first the toasted oat mix with the puffed rice. Then poor the liquid ingredients and mix well.

4. Spread mixture on the baking sheet you used to toast your oats and put back in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the granola is starting to crisp and look toasted. It will get crunchier after it cools off after you take in out of the oven.

For Christmas giving sake I will rate this recipe-

Taste- does the fact that I have made at LEAST 5 batches of this stuff for snacking on tell you anything??

Packability- Can't get any easier than putting it in a bag or jar and closing. I give it a 10 in this area.

Cuteness- well, its not the best, but seeing as the packaging is so versatile, you could really make it look cute with how you present it! I say 8.

Cost- Not really bad considering how much the different ingredients make. I would suggest buying from the "bulk" section at the grocery for most of the ingredients. The fact that all of the ingredients are super healthy says a lot for how much your paying. I'm sure you could get away with cheaper (less healthy) alternatives.