Leprechaun Granola

Looks like some of the wee leprechauns were at my house last night and ran off in such a hurry that their hats flew right off! :)

Aren't they cute?  So tiny.  I wish I could have caught a glimpse of one of the little lads! I knew I should have set a leprechaun trap! Sigh...maybe next year.

 My family has enjoyed this granola for many years!  It can easily be modified for any occasion, as you can see:)
I clipped the recipe from a magazine at least a decade ago.  I really don't remember where I found it, but I'm glad I did!

Fruit n' Honey Trail Mix  (I usually double the recipe)
3 1/2 cups raw oatmeal
3/4 cup whole peanuts(I used dry roasted)
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. cinnamon
1 cup honey
1/4 cup vegetable oil
3 cups any combination of dried fruit (I used raisins, but then added green m&m's, and leprechaun hats(recipe below), chocolate chips, and mini marshmallow rainbows from Lucky Charms cereal.)

In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients together except the dried fruit/candy.  Spread the mixture out on a cookie sheet and bake it at 300 degrees for 30 minutes.  Let it cool and stir in the dried fruit and candy. Break up any clumps and store granola in an airtight container.

Leprechaun Hats
36 mini marshmallows
18 mini oreos (separated so that each cookie makes two hats)
About 8 ounces of Wilton's green candy melts

Melt the chocolate as directed. For each hat: Dip a cookie into the chocolate and try to let the excess drip off.  Set on waxed paper flat side down.  Dip a marshmallow in the chocolate and let the excess drip off.  Place marshmallow on top, center of the cookie. Let dry. Optional:  If desired, use frosting (I used royal icing) to make a hat band and adhere a shamrock sprinkle while the hat band is still wet.  Makes 3 dozen mini leprechaun hats.

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

Linked to:
 Tasty Tuesdays.