Pumpkin Granola

Makes about 16 cups

10 cups rolled oats
2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/2 cup brown sugar
1 cup pumpkin puree
1/2 cup applesauce
1/2 cup maple syrup *
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup raisins
1 cup chopped pecans

Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or tinfoil and set aside. 

In a large bowl combine all ingredients. Mix well. Oats should be moist and evenly coated. Spread the mixture evenly between the two prepared baking sheets. 

Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pans from the oven, stir and rotate pans to opposite racks. Bake for an additional 20-25 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp.  Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container. 

Serve with milk, yogurt or enjoy plain. 

- Adrian Parkinson 

Adapted from Two Peas and Their Pod

* I am spoiled and used some of the Grade A New Hampshire Maple Syrup Brett sent us for Christmas, but I am sure regular pancake syrup would work too.

Banana Crumb Muffins

Ingredients ( tastes even better if you add 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 tsp. nutmeg, and 3/4 tsp. cinnamon to the muffin batter)

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 bananas, mashed
• 3/4 cup white sugar
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
• 1/8 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 tablespoon butter

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease 10 muffin cups, or line with muffin papers.
2. In a large bowl, mix together 1 1/2 cups flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. In another bowl, beat together bananas, sugar, egg and melted butter. Stir the banana mixture into the flour mixture just until moistened. Spoon batter into prepared muffin cups.
3. In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour and cinnamon. Cut in 1 tablespoon butter until mixture resembles coarse cornmeal. Sprinkle topping over muffins.
4. Bake in preheated oven for 18 to 20 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into center of a muffin comes out clean.