Cornucopia Granola Bars

I was going to do this post mainly on ways that I have learned and practiced budgeting. But then, on Saturday night (partay), when I was avoiding writing my examinations for trial on Monday (!!!) I made these granola bars and I am just too stinking excited about them to wait.

Dopest farmers market haul E-V-E-R

I call them Cornucopia because 1) they're fall-ish and 2) once I started listing the "prominent" ingredients I realized that there were just too many to name in the title. Plus, cornucopias are bomb.

So, what are these prominent ingredients? Well I wanted to use quinoa, because quinoa granola bars sound sa-weet! And then I LOVE me some cardamom (shit's expensive, tho)  so I added that too. I bought some slivered almonds at the market and threw those in, then kind of married all those yummy flavors with a little drop or two of almond extract.

BUT WAIT! There's more! Maple syrup, applesauce, and toasted pumpkin seeds -- OH MY!

Ok, the full list is down below. Who knew granola bars were SO. DARN. SIMPLE?! And to be able to put in the flavors and key ingredients of the season? How has it taken me 28 years to do this!? GAH.

Cornucopia Granola Bars

Ingredients (be creative, b-e- creative!)

1 cup cooked quinoa (about 1/2 cup dry)

1 cup old fashioned oats

1/4 cup oat bran

1/3 cup slivered almonds

1/2 cup raisins (after measuring, I coarsely chopped them)

1/2 tsp cinnamon

pinch cardamom

2-3 tbsp butter

2 cups unsweetened applesauce

1/3 cup maple syrup

2 drops almond extract

2 tbsp pumpkin seeds

2 tbsp sunflower seeds

2 tbsp honey (optional)

1. In a bowl combine the cooked quinoa, oats, oat bran, almonds, cinnamon and cardamom. Mix.
2. In a saucepan add the butter, applesauce, maple syrup, almond extract and raisins (to plump). In the oven toast your seeds.
3. Once the butter has melted, pour the sauce over the dry ingredients and add the seeds to combine. Taste. If desired, add the honey. 
4. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour the mixture onto the baking sheet and, using a rubber spatula, spread it out evenly. My baking sheet is on the small side, 9x11 and it was about 1/2" thick all around. 
5. Bake in a 350° oven until golden brown (20-30 minutes). Your house will smell absolutely divine (and I do not use that word lightly!). Cool for a few hours before cutting. 

Ommmm nom nom nom.