Spiced Pumpkin And Brown Sugar Granola

Courtesy of O Magazine

I love making my own home-made granola. Makes a nice gift as well.

3/4 cup canned pumpkin puree
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar
2 Tbsp. canola or olive oil
1 Tbsp. vanilla extract
2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice
1 tsp. ground cardamom
1 tsp kosher salt
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1 cup roughly chopped pecans
1 cup pistachios (optional)
1 cup golden raisins
1 cup dried cranberries (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, whisk together pumpkin, sugar, oil vanilla, pumpkin pie spice, cardamom, and salt. Add oats, pecans, and pistachios (if using), and toss to coat. Spread evenly on prepared baking sheet and bake 30 minutes, stirring halfway through. Stir in raisins and cranberries (if using), and continue baking until oats are just crisp, about 15 minutes more. Stir one last time, then set aside to cool completely. When hard, break into chunks and store in a an airtight container.

Makes about 5 cups.
Total time: 45 minutes