Mad Squirrel Nut Granola Parfaits

Nothing makes a squirrel madder than having his nuts too sweet! This granola combo is just right; not too sweet with a warm cinnamon spice that pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit and yogurt. All the natural flavors of the nuts, oats and spices can be tasted in every bite. You may feel a little guilty when you think you are having berry cobbler for breakfast but rest assured, a lot of sugar and oil has been removed to keep all your little squirrels happy!

Mad Squirrel Nut Granola

Ingredients: 

4 cups rolled oats

1-1/2 cup honey roasted sunflower seeds

1/2 cup Flax seeds

1/2 cup roasted pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

2 cups rough chopped mixed nuts

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup maple syrup

1/3 cup honey

1/4 cup vegetable oil

1/4 cup water

1-1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1-1/2 teaspoons ground pumpkin pie spice

1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 cup raisins, dried cherries, dried apricots, dried cranberries (any mixture)

Directions:   

Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Line two large baking sheets with parchment or aluminum foil.

Combine the oats, seeds, and nuts in a large bowl and set aside. 

Stir together the salt, brown sugar, maple syrup, honey, oil, water, cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice and vanilla in a saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium heat, then pour over the dry ingredients, and stir to coat. Spread the mixture out evenly on the baking sheets. 

Bake in the preheated oven until toasted, about 10 minutes on one side. Stir once halfway through and bake for another 10 minutes. It will get crunchy as it cools so don’t overcook it as it will burn fast.  Allow to cool, and then stir in the raisins, cherries, apricots or cranberries combo before storing in an airtight container. 

Double Recipe: Bake in the preheated oven until toasted, about 18 minutes on one side. Stir once halfway through and bake for another 15 minutes

Mad Squirrel Parfaits

Ingredients:

Vanilla Yogurt (Trader Joe's Vanilla)

Fresh Strawberries, chopped

1 bag frozen mixed berries, thawed

Mad Squirrel Nut Granola

Directions:

Mix the thawed berries with the fresh strawberries in a container and set aside. In a tall glass, spoon berries at the bottom, layer several spoonfuls of yogurt and sprinkle with granola. Add another layer just like the last and serve with a long Ice Tea Spoon. It's a real lip licker!