Halloween and a Recipe

 Halloween was pretty fun this year. As we speak they are playing with their candy. We don't eat it, we just do pretty much anything else you can think of with it. Art projects, towers, form letters, count, give to friends, bake into brownies... I am learning that Elijah is not as good at not eating it as Luci though. He is choc-o-holic for sure. It's so hard to say no to him though, and he is so good at opening the stuff and shoveling it before I even notice. Pretty darn cute.

And for the recipe...

Coconut Molasses Granola

This stuff is delicious over yogurt, drowned in whole fresh milk, on top of a pumpkin milkshake, and especially on vanilla ice cream. It's also great to give as a gift! I've been baking it for 3 years now since my friend Nicol shared it with me. It is a huge batch and usually lasts us the whole fall season. We like to bake it extra long so it is nice and crunchy. Thanks Nicol!

10 c. old-fashioned oats

1 c. wheat germ

*8 oz. shredded coconut

3 c. chopped almonds, pecans,

        walnuts, or a combination

1 ½ c. packed brown sugar

1 ½ c. water

1 ½ c. cooking oil

½ c. honey

½ c. molasses (regular or blackstrap)

1 ½ tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

¼ tsp. almond extract

3 tsp. vanilla

Preheat oven to 300.  In a very large bowl or two large bowls, combine oats, wheat germ, coconut, nuts, and any optional ingredients – except raisins or dried fruit, you can toss these in before eating.  In a large saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, oil, honey, molasses, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.  Heat until sugar is dissolved, but don't boil.  Pour syrup over dry ingredients and mix until well coated.

Spread into five 9x13” baking pans or 2 cookie sheets with sides.  Bake 20 to 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Bake 15-30 minutes longer for crunchier granola.  Store in airtight containers, I use oatmeal boxes.  Good for up to six months.  Makes about 20 cups.

*(I use unsweetened, but any regular store brand is yummy too.)

** Other optional ingredients = sunflower seeds, sesame seeds, flax, quinoa, wheat bran,

 raisins, dates, other dried fruits