Uncle Sam Cereal Granola Recipe

Last month I was contacted by Annelies at Attune Foods asking if I’d like to try a box of Uncle Sam cereal.  Sign me up!  The nutrition facts are great–1 serving (3/4 cup) has 190 calories, 5g fat (o Trans), 10g of fiber, 7 g of protein and less than 1g sugar.  The short list of ingredients is as natural as it gets:  Whole Wheat Kernels, Whole Flaxseed, Salt, Barley Malt.  As the company website says, “What’s inside the box?  Simple, pure ingredients that help you feel your best every day.”

Lots of good-for-you stats!

I wanted to post about more than just a box of cereal.  So I made a batch of granola that includes the cereal.  I’ve gone through a lot of different granola recipes over the years.  My first granola recipe was one that my mom made–it was a recipe she learned when she attended a how to use your first microwave class.  The basics were oats, sugar, butter, coconut, peanuts, raisins.  It was really tasty but high in sugar and fat.

Special guest in my granola

Now I’ve switched to low-sugar/no oil granola recipes.  I don’t think I ever make the same recipe twice, but I attempted to document a recipe to share with you!  And the Uncle Sam cereal is the special guest.

Special Guest Granola

Ingredients
2 cups old fashioned oats
2 cups Uncle Same cereal
1/4-1/2 cup nuts (almond slivers, chopped walnuts, etc.)
1/4-1/2 cup seeds (pumpkin, sunflower)
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup dried cherries
2-3 Tblsp chia seeds
1/2 cup orange juice
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 Tblsp blackstrap molasses
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 tsp cinnamon
1/8  tsp nutmeg
1/8 tsp ginger

Process
*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray; set aside.
*Mix together oats, cereal, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, spices in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
*Whisk together orange juice, applesauce, vanilla, and molasses in a small mixing bowl.   Pour over dry ingredients and stir together making sure dry ingredients become wet.  Add a little extra orange juice if needed.
*Spread evenly on baking sheet and bake for 20-25 minutes.
*It’s important to stir the granola every 5-8 minutes so it doesn’t burn.
*Note:  Some people add the dried fruit about half-way through the baking process.  I like to add it at the beginning.  I don’t mind puffy raisins!
*Let cool, serve, and enjoy!

Ready for the oven

I promise you that if you bake this granola, your house will smell amazing.  Cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger.  I’ve been eating granola for breakfast with a banana and a splash of almond milk.  Yum!

Thank you Anneliese and Attune Foods.  I enjoyed the Uncle Sam cereal and I hope readers give Special Guest Granola a try!

Question:  What is your favorite special guest to add to granola?