Better Late Than Never {Recipes: Graham Cracker Granola and Slow Cooker Chunky Apple Sauce}

Typically apple recipes are posted in the fall, but I like apple yogurt parfaits any time of year. The parfaits are good with chunky apple sauce or "fried" apple slices. Recently I purchased an apple yogurt parfait that came with a granola that tasted like it had graham crackers and apple pie spice in it. I didn't expect much from the granola that came with the parfait, but it turned out to be quite good. Below is my version of this granola and recipes for slow cooker apples.

Graham Cracker Granola

1/4 cup coconut oil. microwaved until just melted

1/4 cup maple syrup

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 egg white, optional, but helps granola clump

2 cups rolled oats

4 graham cracker sheets, roughly crushed

2 tablespoons ground flax seed

3/4 cup pecan, rough chopped

1-1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice 

1/8 teaspoon ginger

pinch of salt

Preheat oven to 325°F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper; set aside. In a small mixing bowl, whisk together coconut oil, maple syrup, brown sugar, and egg white; set aside. In a large mixing bowl, stir together oats, graham crackers, flax seed and spices. Pour coconut oil mixture into the oat mixture bowl and stir together until well combined. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet and bake for 45 minutes, stirring every 15 minutes. Allow granola to cool completely pan, then transfer to a airtight container. Can be stored up to 10 days at room temperature or in the freezer for longer storage.

Slow Cooker Chunky Apple Sauce 

This applesauce would be very good on pancakes along with toasted pecans and whipped cream as well. 

1-1/2 pounds Granny Smith Apples (4-5, depending on size of apples), peeled, cored, and cut in 1/4" slices

1 teaspoon lemon juice 

2 tablespoons brown sugar

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1 teaspoon vanilla

2 tablespoons butter, cut into small cubes

Place prepared apples into slow cooker an toss with lemon juice. In a small bowl, combine sugars and cinnamon, pour mixture over apples, and stir. Add vanilla and stir again. Dot the top of the apples with the butter. Cook on high for 2 hours. When apples are done cooking, give them a good stir. Apples should break apart into small chunks.

Variation: The above recipe can be used for slow cooker "fried" apples, just try to catch the apples before they start to break down and are still holding their shape. Start checking the apples at about 1-1/2 hours  

Enjoy!