Trail Mix Clusters Food

TRAIL MIX CLUSTERS

Steps:

• In a large microwave-safe bowl, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Stir in the remaining ingredients., Drop by tablespoonfuls onto waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until firm. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

BROWN BUTTER GRANOLA CLUSTERS

Steps:

• For the brown butter: Add the butter to a medium skillet over medium heat. Cook, swirling the skillet to keep the butter moving around, until it melts and bubbles up, 3 to 4 minutes. When the butter is a medium golden brown, remove the skillet from the heat (it will continue browning in the skillet over the next 30 seconds or so!). Pour the butter and any solids into a bowl and let cool completely, about 30 minutes.
• For the toasted oats: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a bowl, toss the oats with the oil, melted butter and salt. Spread the mixture out on the prepared baking sheets and bake, shaking the pans twice during the cooking time and making sure the oats don't burn, until toasted, about 12 minutes. Set aside to cool a bit. Reduce the oven temperature to 325 degrees F.
• For the clusters: In a medium saucepan, combine the brown sugar, honey and molasses. Stir the mixture until combined, then heat over medium heat, stirring, until barely bubbling. Stir in the vanilla extract. Add the brown butter to the pan and stir.
• Toss together the toasted oats, rice cereal, wheat germ, cranberries, pecans, pumpkin seeds, almonds and flax seeds in a large bowl. Pour over the sugar mixture, stirring as you pour. Toss to combine; it will be sticky!
• Line a baking sheet with foil and thoroughly spray with coconut oil spray. Tip the mixture onto the baking sheet, spread out and bake until golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool, then use a fork to make clusters. Store in a jar until ready to use.

TRAIL MIX WITH HONEY-OATMEAL CLUSTERS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Mist a baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the oats with 2 tablespoons water, the vegetable oil, wheat germ and honey. Form small clusters of the mixture on the baking sheet and bake until crisp, about 15 minutes.
• Add the mixed dried fruit to the baking sheet, sprinkle with the cinnamon and bake 3 to 5 more minutes. Let cool, then toss with the nuts, sunflower seeds, raisins, coconut and M&M's. Store in an airtight container.