Pumpkin Granola

So this recipe is a riff on America's Test Kitchen's Granola...

Preheat over to 325 degrees. Line a large rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. (I just lay a large piece of parchment paper on top of the baking sheet - don't worry about trimming it to size.

5 c old fashioned oats
1/3 c. flax seed (ground) meal - because my eye doctor wants me to sneak in flax meal whenever possible
3/4 c. chopped raw almonds (I found the easiest way to chop almonds is to put them in a zip lock freezer back and whack them with something. A small hammer would work - I just the side of my meat mallet.)

Combine in a large bowl.

In as small bowl combine spices.
1 T cinnamon
1 t. salt
1/2 t. ground ginger
1/2 t. freshly grated nutmeg
1/4 t. allspice

Add to the oat mixture and combine.

In the same small bowl, combine..
1/3 c. pumpkin puree (not Pumpkin Pie Mix)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1/3 c. real maple syrup
1/3 c. oil
1 T vanilla

Mix into the oat mix and combine thoroughly. Pour the mixture into the baking sheet (lined with parchment paper - see above) and spread to the edges of the pan. Take a large flat metal spatula and press the mixture down to compact. Bake for 20 minutes. Rotate the pan and bake for another 20 minutes. Take out of the over and cool completely in the pan before breaking into chunks. Add 1/2 - 1 cup of dried cranberries, raisins or butterscotch chips.