A flavorful pumpkin granola with a hint of maple syrup
8 cups rolled oats
1/2 cup walnuts, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1 cup sucanat (or brown sugar)
1 Tbs cinnamon
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
3/4 cup pumpkin puree
1/4 cup maple syrup
1 Tbs vanilla extract
Combine the oats, walnuts, raisins, wheat germ, pumpkin seeds, sucanat, cinnamon, and salt in a bowl. Melt the butter in a saucepan over medium heat, add remaining ingredients and stir until combined. Pour over the oats and stir. Spread out on dehydrator sheets and dehydrate for 3 hours at 155 degrees.
-Oven-Baked Version-
Omit the raisins. Spread evenly on two 15″ by 11″ jelly roll pans lined with parchment paper. Bake at 300 degrees for 30 minutes, or until crispy (Stirring every 15 minutes). Cool; add the raisins and mix.
In a separate bowl stir flour, salt and baking soda.
Add the flour mixture to the banana mixture and mix.
Shape dough into balls. Press down the center of the balls with your finger. Fill the hole with cherry jelly. Sprinkle a few chocolate chips over each cookie.