Homemade granola and Trail mix cookies

On our recent trip to Virginia, our dear friend had made a big batch of cookies for our arrival, they were so delicious that I took home the recipe and here is how I made them.

They call for granola and since I did not have any at home and haven't made granola for a long time I decided to make it myself.

This is what we did;

Mix together;
1 cup of rolled oats
1 cup of rolled whole wheat
1/2 cup dried shredded coconut
1/3 cup wheat germ
1/2 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup hulled sunflower seeds
7 tsp sesame seeds

Now heat to just under a boil 5 T honey, 5 tsp vegetable or coconut oil and 1 tsp vanilla.
Mix with dry ingredients. Spread in thin layer.
Bake at 325 Fahrenheit for 25 minutes, stirring occasionally.

(I baked it much lower and much longer, almost like dehydrating it, I baked it as low as the owen would go and kept it in almost all day.)

When the color starts to change to brown it is done, it does not get crunchy until cool.
Then add 1/4 cup seedless raisins or other dried fruit. Be sure to stir in fruit while granola is still warm.

The granola on its own was delicious and we had it for breakfast with fresh milk.

The next day we made the cookies.

Here is what we used;

1/2 cup salted butter

6T peanut butter

1/2 cup of sugar (I use Rapadura , a less processed kind of sugar made from whole sugar cane)

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 large egg

1/2 t vanilla extract

3T wheat germ

1/4 t baking soda

1/4 t salt

1 cup flour

1cup granola

1/2 cup lightly chopped pecans

1/2 cup raisins

1/2 cup chocolate chips

Preheat owen to 375F.

Cream butter, peanut butter, sugar and brown sugar until light and fluffy.

I had my little helper in the kitchen to help with the machinery.

Then beat in egg, wheat germ and vanilla. Add baking soda, salt and flour.

Then my faithful helper stirred in granola, pecans, raisins and chocolate

yum!!!!

We then dropped rounded spoonfuls on a non greased baking sheet, leave room between as they spread,

and bake for 12-14 minutes

My proud helper, always in the kitchen the minute I start anything.

These are very yummy cookies..

And because I have no flower photo to end on, I thought I would share this colorful

picture of our curry dinner. I picked up this recipe over on

  A Handmade Life, check for recipe and other inspiration on this sweet blog. We had this curry with rice one night and fresh bread the next and still had leftover to freeze. It too is Yummy!

Bon Appetite