gifting treats -stretching your budget dollars

It's that time of the year again!  #hohoho  It seems like it was just last week when we had Christmas last year.   This year has been a whirlwind. 

We have been super busy at my full time job.   I am a Systems/Office Administrator for a General Contractor who specializes in Restaurant Construction.  We have been in business since 1982 and we have done over 1,000 projects.   This year has been a great year for us and we have been running crazy.   L. R. Mourning Company is small based in size, but puts out volumes of great work like larger Contractors.   

You might have read in the blog that I do like to cook or bake often for my co-workers.  We have a little kitchen with a full oven (Betsy) and I love to make all kinds of treats, full meals, etc.   I have been able to come up with all types of various granola recipes this last year.   They are very popular at the office.  I also have been giving them to some of my favorite peeps at the Starbucks that I frequent.   They sure are appreciative of homemade goodies.   

Each year I like to come up with a little gift to give out to my Starbucks peeps, Walgreen peeps, Panera, Newks...and so on.   I love to spread the joy and love for those who have served me throughout the year.  

This year I have made a batch of Peppermint Dark Choc Chip Granola with a touch of ginger to give it the extra special Christmas aroma.   It is very tasty.   This is a great little gift that is inexpensive for you to make to give out to teachers, hostess, co-workers or others that you want to give a little happy to.   You can bag it up in cute bags, add your DIY gift tags and ribbon and it is really cute!   BTW, I bought 50 of these cute little bags at the Dollar Store and they came with the twists.   

It really is fun to spread the joy and love this Holiday Season.  The recipe for this batch is:

I call this batch -- Peppermint Patty Granola

Ingredients:

4 cups Quaker Old Fashion Oats
1/2 cup Organic Raw Honey
1/2 cup Torani White Chocolate Sauce
1 cup Dark Choc Chips 
1 cup Peppermint Chips
3 Tablespoons Organic Cinnamon
2 Teaspoons of Pumpkin Spice (ground)
2 Teaspoons of Ginger
1 Teaspoon Pure Vanilla
1/4 cup Caramel - I used Torani Caramel Sauce

To Make:

Preheat oven to 400 Degrees
Line Large Cookie sheet with Liner

In large mixing bowl:

Add 4 cups Quaker Oats
1 cup Dark Choc Chips (or 1 small bag)
1 cup Pepperment Chips (or 1 small bag)
Add in the wet ingredients - honey, white chocolate sauce and caramel sauce, vanilla
Stir and mix well
Then add in your Dry Ingredients - cinnamon, pumpkin spice and ginger 
Mix

Spread out on top of the lined cookie sheet and Bake at 400 Degrees for 12-15 minutes (some oven vary) make sure and check - it will be golden brown throughout.  

Take out of oven and let cool for about 1 hour.   Scoop and place in air tight bags or ziplock bag.  This will keep for 3-5 days.  That is, if it lasts that long.  It doesn't last more than an hour at work!  

Enjoy and remember --giving makes your soul happy!

---