Apple Pie Granola

At my house we really enjoy granola, but it can be really expensive. I've tried a few recipes to make my own, but I had a hard time buying all the ingredients I would use maybe once or twice a year (ex. wheat germ, flax seed meal, oat bran soy grits (are those even real?)). These recipe has ingredients that I always have on hand! It's so good! It really does taste like Apple pie, just with nuts and raisins.

Apple Pie Granola

- 5 c. rolled oats

- 1 c. chopped apples

- 1 c. coarsely chopped pecans

- 1 c. raisins

- 3/4 c. butter or margarine, melted

- 3/4 c. firmly packed brown sugar

- 1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

Toast oats in ungreased 15 1/2 x 10 1/2 in. jelly roll pan in a preheated 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. Combine toasted oats and remaining ingredients except raisins and mix well. Placed back in ungreased jelly roll pan. Bake at 350 for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally to brown evenly. After the first 15 minutes of baking time add the raisins in. Cool and stir until crumbly. Store in a tightly covered container in fridge. Makes about 9 cups.

I actually make this many times with the nuts. I even made it once without the apples and raisins, and it still tasted amazing!

(Source: Kathe M.)

Cidne's Breadsticks

Hello again! It's getting close to Christmas so I should be posting more Christmas recipes, but I had an AMAZING dinner the other night with some friends. I had the BEST homemade pizza I've ever had! The recipe for that is coming up later. But, I also had some amazing breadsticks!! While no breadsticks will ever beat out the Oliver Garden breadsticks (someone else makes them, you can get as many as you want, and they have warm plates! ), these are now my FAVORITE homemade breadsticks. Thanks Cidne!

Cidne's Breadsticks

- 1 1/2 c. warm water

- 2 Tbsp. sugar

- 1 Tbsp. yeast

- 1/2 c. dry milk

- 1/2 tsp. salt

- 3 c. flour

- 1 stick of butter, melted

- Garlic salt

- Parmesan cheese

In a large bowl dissolve sugar in wate. Add yeast and stir briefly. Stir in dry milk, salt and 3 cups flour. Knead for 3 minutes adding more flour as needed. Let it rise for about 20-30 minutes.

Roll dough out on a lightly floured surface. Cut dough into 1 inch strips and dip into melted butter. Place strips closely together in the pan. Sprinkle garlic salt and Parmesan cheese liberally.

Let rise again for 10-15 minutes. Bake for 15-20 minutes at 350 degrees.

(Source: Cidne W.)