We have been out of granola for about a couple weeks, and have been eating Swiss Muesli during this time. I had some time today, and decided to make some. I make big batches of this granola because my family not only eats it for breakfast, but requests it for snacks as well. When I say big batches, I mean two heaping half sheet trays worth.

I do not add tons of white sugar, brown sugar, honey or a combination of all three to this granola. Don’t get me wrong, these sweet granola’s are undeniably delicious. Undeniably. I love them, and make these granola’s, in small batches, and we eat them with gusto.  I do not put all that sugar in this “big batch” granola because sometimes we add a drizzle of honey, and It just makes it a more versatile, healthy breakfast. Also, if I made it with all that sugar, it would call to me from the pantry every evening to eat it as a late night snack, over a bowlful of ice cream.

Dominic and I were having a conversation about our girls this weekend while raking leaves. We decided that Georgia has my sweet tooth and Marjie has Dominic’s gene that tells her when she is full, or has had enough. Georgia will happily sit in front of her bucket of Halloween candy, and eat it all in one sitting, if she were allowed to do so. Marjie, on the other hand, would be able to walk away from the candy bucket after two or three pieces.

I make this granola with apple cider, or apple juice, and two tablespoons of honey, to give it a touch of sweetness. Two tablespoons of cinnamon, combined with the cider make this granola yummy. I add raw pumpkin seeds and raw sunflower seeds, for extra crunchiness, texture, fiber and fantastic nutrients.

My family loves dries cranberries, so I toss in two cups of them. The little gems add extra tiny bursts of sweetness.

Enjoy this granola with milk, some fresh chopped apple, and a dollop of yogurt, and if you like a little extra sweetness, a drizzle of honey. Although, you really can’t go wrong if you want to sprinkle it over a bowl of your favorite ice cream as well. To make this granola truly gluten free, be sure to use rolled oats and other ingredients that say gluten free on their package.

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