Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola

Do you ever have one of those weeks where you just want it to be over but it seems like it’s taking an eternity?  Well, that’s what my week has been like.  Work is just too much for me right now and unfortunately I think next week will be similar to this week.  I don’t want to rant and rave to you guys about work so let’s just focus on the fact that it’s Friday….the end of the week and the beginning of the weekend.  Like most people I look forward to the weekends.  We never really know what the weekend will entail but it’s always fun to spend time with the family no matter what we end up doing.  I always find it amazing how spending time with two little munchkins can change your perspective on everyday life.   It always makes me wish I was a kid again.  Did your mom and dad ever tell you while you were growing up to enjoy being a kid.  I never really listened to my parents because I wanted so badly to be “grown-up” but now I wish I did listen and actually absorbed every aspect of being a kid.  No responsibilities, no bills, no work just pure fun filled with playing and laughing.  Hmmmm….maybe I’ll just become a kid for one day this weekend with my girls and try not to care about all my grown-up responsibilities.  Maybe?

 Ok, so let’s talk about this granola.  And I’m going to have to quickly tough on that dreaded work topic again because one of our co-workers decided to leave and head back to his home state of Maine.  South Florida to Maine is something like a 26 hour drive….I couldn’t even imagine taking that drive!  We all thought it would be nice to pack a little traveling kit filled with snacks and of course a Starbucks card to help him stay awake and full on his drive.  I decided on making granola because on a road trip what could be better?  I recently came across a Peanut Butter Cookie Granola recipe in the Pillsbury Bake-Off Cookbook but decided to make a couple changes based off what I actually had in my cabinets and refrigerator.  What came of it was instead a Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola and it’s super yummy.  Not as healthy as some of the other granola’s out there but we won’t tell anyone, right?  This makes about 2 bags of granola so one stayed at the house and one went to my co-worker for his road trip home to Maine.  It’s only been a little over 24 hours and between the munchkins and the hubby most of our bag is gone.  It’s yummy stuff.

 Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Granola

Print Recipe

1 roll (16.5 oz) refrigeraated chocolate chip cookie dough

1 tsp cinnamon

2 1/2 cup old-fashion rolled oats

1/4 cup ground flax seed

1 cup sliced almonds

1 cup chopped pecans

1/3 cup dried cranberries

1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter chips

Instructions:

Let cookie dough stand at room temperature 10 minutes until soften.

Meanwhile, heat oven to 325 degrees.  Line 2 large cookie sheets with parchment paper.  In a large bowl, mix cookie dough and cinnamon.  Add oats, flax seed, almonds, pecans, and cranberries; knead into dough until well blended.  Crumble mixture evenly on cookie sheets.

Bake both cookie sheets at the same time 17 to 22 minutes, stirring every 5 minutes and rotating cookie sheets halfway through baking, until light golden brown.  Cool completely on cookie sheets, about 30 minutes.

Break granola into smaller pieces if necessary.  In a large bowl, mix granola, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips.  Store in a large resealable plastic bag, or store in 1/2 cup amounts in small plastic bags for ready-to-go snacks. 

Recipe adapted from Pilsbury Bake-Off Winning Recipes Cookbook