Autumn Harvest Granola

Since it has been a long time since I last posted a recipe I have decided to post the recipe that I have used the most over the last year. Not only is this granola a healthy alternative for breakfast but it is also filled with comforting ingredients.

You can pretty much  use any combination of nuts and dried fruit you like but this particular combination continues to be my favorite.

• 4 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/2 cup pecan halves, coarsely chopped
• 1/3 cup chopped hazlenuts
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds
• 1/2 cup chopped dried apples
• 1/2 cup dried cranberries
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1/4 cup roasted pumpkin seeds
• 2 tbsp flax seeds
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1/2 cup unsweetened applesauce
• 1/4 cup liquid honey
• 1/4 cup canola oil
• 1/4 tsp kosher salt
• 1/4 tsp ground ginger
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 325°F. 
2. In a large bowl, combine oats, pecans, hazelnuts, almonds, apples, cranberries, raisins, pumpkin seeds, flax seeds and brown sugar. 
3. In a small saucepan, warm together applesauce, honey, oil, salt, ginger and cinnamon over medium heat until thinned, about 5 minutes. Pour over oat mixture and stir to coat.
4. Spread granola mixture evenly over 2 greased or parchment lined baking sheets. Be sure to use a rimmed baking sheet or you will make a mess over your oven.
5. Bake stirring every 10 minutes and rotating pans halfway through, until golden brown, 30-35 minutes. Cool before storing in an airtight container. Granola will stay fresh for up to 3 weeks.