Pumpkin & Pomegranate Granola

We're about halfway through October and defintiely knee deep in fall weather!  As always, pumpkin is my flavor of choice this season.  I've been wanting to make a homemade granola...pumpkin granola to be specific!

This has a great flavor...not too sweet, but defintiely flavorful!  I had some with yogurt for breakfast and later in the day as a snack.  It did not last long...that's for sure!

Recipe adapted from Two Peas & Their Pod

• 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 pomegranate craisins
  1/2 cup pepitas

1. Preheat the oven to 325° F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, spices, and salt. Mix well.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until smooth. Pour wet ingredients into oat mixture and stir until the oats are evenly coated. They will be moist. Evenly spread the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 20 minutes. Remove pan from the oven and stir. Bake for an additional 15-20 minutes or until the granola is golden and crisp. Remove from the oven and stir in dried cranberries and pepitas. Let cool completely. Store in an airtight container.

So I actually incorporated the craisins and pepitas before I started baking them.  It was a mistake, but it turned out great...added a nice crunch to the pepitas and the craisins were warm and soft.

This recipe makes a lot, so we decided to gift some to our neighbors!

 Do you ever bring your neighbors gifts?  I think it's a nice gesture, and I know we love having our neighbors stop by!  :)

Hope you enjoy the recipe!  Bon Appetit!

xo natasha

Linked to: Tasty Tuesdays