crack granola

there is something about a run in 15 degrees that makes you want to hunker down.
hunker down and bake to your heart's content.
unfortunately, i did not have time to be such the betty crocker.
i have other things to do, you know.  like go on pinterest and facebook stalk.  and laundry.  and vacuum.  all of which might get done after the pinning and facebooking.
anywhoo.

so i have been eating like a total caged animal lately.  my thought process is if i eat granola, the universe is good.  it's got oats so it's healthy.  so what if i throw chocolate into it.  i'll throw some peanut butter in there (of which i seriously have been consuming in such mass quantities) to balance it out.

i stumbled upon this granola recipe in my blog stalkings (which i do after the pinterest and facebook stalkings but before the laundering and vacuuming).

i can't stop eating it.  i literally sat on my hands yesterday during Grey's so I wouldn't stuff my face with more of it.  you must try it.  NOW.  and then bring me some more...

Crack Granola (adapted from eatliverun's Elvis Granola with a few Kim modifications)

Ingredients:

1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup maple syrup (pure-not the cheapy stuff!)
1/4 cup chunky peanut butter (natural)
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon (crucial)
4 cups old fashioned oats
1/4 cup ground flaxseed
1/2 cup dry roasted peanuts
1/2 cup sunflower seeds
2/3 cup chopped dark chocolate (or mini chocolate chips)
1/2 cup chopped dried cherries (or raisins)


Directions:

Preheat oven to 275.
Bring the canola oil, maple syrup, peanut butter, salt and cinnamon to a simmer on the stove. Cook for three to five minutes.

While that’s cooking, mix together the oats, ground flax, peanuts and sunflower seeds. Pour hot syrup mixture over the oats and toss well to coat. Spread out granola onto two lined sheet trays and bake for 45 minutes, stirring occasionally and turning trays midway through.

Let granola cool completely before adding the chopped chocolate.

VIVA LAS VEGAS!