Pumpkin Spice Granola

I love granola.

I love all of Annie's recipes.

I have been loving pumpkin.

Hence, when I was looking for ways to use up the remainder of my can of pumpkin puree, I knew this was a must. The hardest part (for me) about any granola is making sure it's cooked thoroughly so it'll be crunchy without over baking...which happens much easier with granola than with most of recipes (again, for me at least.) So keep on eye on things.

And if you do, you're going to love the results. This granola is exactly what you're imagining it will it. Perfectly pumpkin and spice.

Pumpkin Spice Granola

Ingredients

3 ½ cups rolled oats

2 ½ cups puffed rice cereal

2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

¾ tsp. salt

¾ cup brown sugar

½ cup pumpkin puree

¼ cup applesauce

¼ cup maple syrup

1 tsp. vanilla extract

up to 1 ½ cups chopped nuts

up to 1 cup dried fruit

Preheat the oven to 325°. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a large bowl, combine oats and puffed rice cereal.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the pumpkin pie spice, salt, sugar, pumpkin puree, applesauce, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Whisk until very smooth.

Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients and stir until the oat mixture is evenly coated. Spread on the prepared baking sheet in an even layer.

Bake for 30 minutes. Then turn over the granola using a large, wide spatula. Sprinkle the nuts onto the granola and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until crisp and golden. Depending on the size of your baking sheet, the center may not be fully dried if your granola layer is thick, so if necessary remove the edges of the cooked granola and let the rest cook until done, 10-15 more minutes. Cool on pan or on a fine wire rack.

Break up granola as desired and toss with dried fruit. Store in an airtight container.