Recipe: Crispy Crunchy Lumpy Applesauce Granola

Warning - this granola is seriously addictive.  You can eat it straight outta the jar as it's perfectly lumpy.  I can't decide if it's the spice combination of cardamom, ginger and cinnamon that makes it so good, or the crunch.

I adapted this recipe from the Mix-n-Match Applesauce Granola found over at Everybody Likes Sandwiches - love this blog.  I've made it dozens of times now and never realized I haven't written about it yet.  There's always a huge jar of it on the counter for everyone to dip in as a snack or on ice cream, yogurt, on top of cereal, or added to baking and more.

CRISPY CRUNCHY LUMPY APPLESAUCE GRANOLA
adapted from Everybody Likes Sandwiches

3 1/2 cups rolled oats
2 cups puffed rice cereal (I've also used Rice Chex type cereal)
1 teaspoon Saigon (or regular) cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
3/4 teaspoon of Kosher (or regular) salt
3/4 cup brown sugar
1 cup plain applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups chopped nuts (I like pumpkin and sunflower seeds)
1 cup dried fruit (we like raisins)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper (I use my Silpat). 

In a large bowl combine oats, puffed rice cereal, and spices.  In a medium bowl whisk together applesauce and vanilla.  Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients along with chopped nuts and raisins and mix thoroughly.  Spread on a baking sheet in a even layer.

Bake for 30 minutes, then turn over granola carefully (don't break the lumps!) with a large spatual.  Bake for an additional 15 minutes then turn again.  Bake for an additional 10 minutes until crisp and golden.

Cool in the pan completely.  Store in an airtight container.

Optional - after the first 30 minutes and turning the granola over, you can turn off your oven, leave the door open, go to bed and take it out in the morning.  The granola is even more crisp and cooled completely.  I usually make a batch just before bed.

Printable Recipe

Enjoy!