Tag: snacks

Kitchen/

Our All-time Favorite Granola

I’ve been making this granola for decades. The original recipe came from an old Make-A-Mix cookbook I got from my mom when I got married. I’ve tweaked it more than a few times since then, and that’s one of my favorite things about this recipe. It’s very adaptable to your taste and the season. In November I usually add pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. In September, I’ll add apple pie spice. In the summer, I keep it pretty bare so we can add our favorite ripe fruit and a big spoonful of Greek yogurt. So good!

Once my husband and I became empty-nesters I tried halving the recipe a few times. I was met with deep disappointment from my favorite guy! I quickly realized if I wanted to keep him happy, I needed to just keep the granola in stock. Always.

Do you have a favorite granola yet? I’d love it if you’d give my recipe a try and let me know what you think. How do you adjust it for your family’s tastes?

Favorite Granola

Delicious granola with lots of room for personalization. Wonderful with yogurt parfaits, or with a little fruit and milk.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 10 C. old-fashioned oats see notes
  • 1 C. sunflower seeds
  • 1 C. pepitas
  • 1/2 C. sesame seeds
  • 1/2 C. wheat germ
  • 1/2 C. flaxseed meal and/or chia seeds
  • 1/2 lb. shredded coconut sweetened or unsweetened, to taste
  • 1 C. sliced almonds
  • 2 C. walnut pieces
  • 1 C. brown sugar
  • 1 C. water
  • 1/3 C. vegetable oil
  • 1/2 C. honey
  • 1/2 C. molasses
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. cinnamon see notes
  • 3 tsp. vanilla

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 300ºF. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper or foil.
  • In a medium saucepan, combine brown sugar, water, oil, honey, molasses, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla.
  • Heat on medium low until sugar is dissolved, but don’t allow to boil.
  • Meanwhile, in a very large bowl, combine oats, seeds, wheat germ, flax seed meal, coconut, and nuts. Blend well.
  • Pour prepared syrup over dry ingredients and stir until well-coated.
  • Spread onto prepared sheet pans.
  • Bake for 30 minutes, stirring after fifteen minutes.

Notes

  • Try using a 5-Grain Cereal Mix (such as from WinCo’s bulk area) in place of the oats.
  • May use Apple Pie Spice or other favorite spices in place of, or in addition to, cinnamon.
  • Keeps up to six months in an airtight container.
Keyword breakfast, granola, nuts, oats, snacks
Kitchen/

Yummiest Pretzel Dip

Fun Gift

A few years ago, my mom brought us this magical cheese dip with a bag of Bugles. My first thought was, “Bugles? I don’t think I’ve ever eaten Bugles in my life!” But that dip turned out to be the real surprise – so good! I got the recipe from my mom and was really surprised to see how super simple it is; basically just jarred cheese, cream cheese, and a few additional touches.

Since being introduced to Bugle Dip, our family has switched to pretzels as the dipping medium of choice, and altered the original recipe some. We love to dip pretzels, Fritos, crackers!

Pretzel Dip

Simple cheesy dip for pretzels, celery, or anything you'd like. Easily adaptable to suit your taste. Addictive!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 16 servings
Calories 79 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 1 jar Kraft Old English Cheese Spread
  • 1 Tbsp mayonnaise
  • 1 dash Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 Tbsp green onions, chopped fine or to taste

Instructions
 

  • In a medium bowl or food processor, bring cream cheese to room temperature.
  • Add remining ingredients and blend/process together until smooth.
  • Adjust mayonnaise to dipping consistency and Worcestershire and onions to taste.
  • Chill at least one hour before serving.

Notes

  • The original recipe calls for two blocks of cream cheese, but we prefer the Old English flavor to be a bit more obvious.
  • Find Kraft Old English Cheese Spread near the shelf-stable cheese products. During the holidays it can be especially difficult to find so we always stock up earlier in the year.
  • If you don’t have fresh onions on hand, a little onion powder substitute works great. Also awesome with no onions at all!
  • Great with pretzels, Fritos, Bugles, celery, crackers, or just about anything dippable!
Keyword cheese, dip, pretzels

Whatever you choose to dip in Pretzel/Bugle Dip, I hope you enjoy it! Please let me know if you try it and how your family likes it.

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!