Caramel Apple Granola - Back to School with #SundaySupper

Every year in the middle of August, I look at the calendar and immediately think "WHAT? School only just let out!". The thing I've come to realize is that the vacation season progresses in direct proportion to the amount of enjoyment experienced, which this year means that my break is almost over before it starts! That said, I will count myself lucky that I'm not in the boat some people are, where school is already back in session. To me, that's just so not right! August is one of the best months of the year, and perfect for enjoying outside - either in the markets, tending the garden, on the golf course or (like me) all three.

Thinking ahead to the inevitable start of school, though, one thing always comes to mind - starting the day off right. Breakfast and snacks are beyond important for kids (and adults) during the busy day, and making sure they're a wholesome, balanced blend of protein, complex carbs and good fats means that the vending machines and cafeteria food don't beckon at 11AM. This granola, inspired by Flippin' Delicious, is packed full of large flake oats, protein powder, flax seed, apple butter and home-dried apples and sweetened with homemade vegan caramel sauce (I made this one with unsweetened soy milk). Definitely more of a snack or "addition" than a stand alone cereal (as most granola is) it makes for killer parfaits, pancakes and fruit compote bowls - not to mention decadent fruit crumbles for dessert!

This week, the #SundaySupper gang is sharing recipes for all things back to school – great lunches to pack, after-school snacks, quick and easy meals for busy school nights, sweet treats, and more. Our hosts this week are DB aka Foodie Stuntman of Crazy Foodie Stunts and Caroline at Caroline’s Cooking - thanks guys!

Getting Started On School Days

• Banana and Chocolate Chip Muffins by Caroline’s Cooking
• Caramel Apple Granola by What Smells So Good?
• Chocolate Coconut Granola Bars by Ruffles & Truffles
• Cinnamon Chocolate Overnight Oats by Whole Food | Real Families
• Funfetti French Toast by Brunch with Joy
• PB&J Muffins by Sew You Think You Can Cook

Ideas for the Lunchbox

• Grilled Chicken Sandwich by Cooking Chat
• Healthy Lunchbox Snack Mix by Noshing with the Nolands
• Mini Pepperoni Calzones by The Redhead Baker
• Turkey Bacon Ranch Wrap by Hezzi-D’s Books and Cooks
• Vietnamese Fresh Spring Rolls by Curious Cuisiniere

After School Snacks

• Back to School Cookies by The Freshman Cook
• Fruit ‘n Chocolate Peanut Butter Granola Bites by The Weekend Gourmet
• Quinoa, Oat and Pecan Blueberry-Peach Crumb Bars by Simply Healthy Family
• Homemade Buttermilk Biscuits by An Appealing Plan
• Mother’s Ruin Punch by Food Lust People Love
• “Nut Butter” Rice Crispy Balls by Books n’ Cooks
• Parmesan Crisps Recipe by Life Tastes Good
• Peanut Butter & Jelly Monkey Bread by Grumpy’s Honeybunch
• Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Apple Nachos by Cupcakes & Kale Chips
• Waffle Pizzas by Our Good Life

School Night Suppers

• Beef Peppers and Onions Burritos by Family Foodie
• One Pot Bacon-Cheeseburger Pasta by A Gouda Life
• Oven Fried Portabello Mushroom Fries by Food Done Light
• Peanut Chicken Cutlets by Magnolia Days
• Smoked Salmon Ravioli with Cream Sauce by Crazy Foodie Stunts
• Turmeric Chicken and Couscous by Cindy’s Recipes and Writings

Sweets to End the Day

• Gluten-Free Almond Joy Cupcakes by NinjaBaker
• M&M Chocolate Chunk Cookies by Fantastical Sharing of Recipes
• Oreo Rice Krispy Treats by The Crumby Cupcake
• Paleo Cherry Blondies by Pies and Plots
• Plum Crumble Bars by Feeding Big
• Stuffed Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats by That Skinny Chick Can Bake

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. To get more great Sunday Supper Recipes, visit our website or check out our Pinterest board.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? Its easy. You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.


Caramel Apple Granola
Makes 8 cups, 32 (1/4 cup) servings
4 cups large flake rolled oats
½ cup whole flax seed
3 tbsp ground flax seeds
1 tsp Kosher salt
⅔ cup caramel sauce (homemade or storebought)
⅓ cup unsweetened apple butter (I used this method, omitting sweetener)
1 scoop (36 grams) vanilla-flavoured whey protein powder (vegans use your favourite plant based powder)
¾ cup diced dried apple

1. Preheat the oven to 350F and line a baking sheet with SilPat or parchment.
2. In a large bowl mix together the oats, seeds and salt..
3. Mix caramel sauce with protein powder until smooth, then pour over the dry ingredients and mix to coat.
4. Spread the granola evenly on the pan.
5. Bake for 12 minutes, rotate the pan, bake for another 12 minutes.
6. Crack open the oven door for 1 minute, then turn off the oven, shut the door and let the granola cool in the oven for another 40 minutes.
7. Let cool completely, then break the granola into large chunks and stir in the dried apple.

Amount Per Serving
Calories: 91.4
Total Fat: 2.3 g
Cholesterol: 2.2 mg
Sodium: 75.6 mg
Total Carbs: 16.0 g
Dietary Fiber: 2.3 g
Protein: 3.3 g