1 lb quick oats
3 cups coarsely chopped raw nuts and seeds
1 t cinnamon
½ t cardamom
½ t mace
1 cup packed dark brown sugar
½ cup unsalted butter
½ cup water
½ t salt
2 t vanilla
Dried fruit ( I vary what I use every time I make this)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. In a food processor or blender grind ½ the oats to a fine powder. In a large bowl, combine the whole oats, ground oats, nuts, seeds and spices. In a microwave safe bowl 9or saucepan over medium heat), combine the brown sugar, butter and water and heat just until the butter has melted and the mixture is bubbly. Stir the mixture together until smooth, and then stir in the salt and vanilla. Pour this mixture over the oats and the nuts; stirring well to coat (this can be done with your hands). It should be uniformly moist-stir another tablespoon or tow of water if it isn’t. Let stand for about ten minutes

Spread the mixture out on a large baking sheet, separating it into irregular clumps with your fingers, and allowing space between the clumps for the hot air to circulate. Slide into the middle of the oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Remove from oven and stir, gently breaking up the mixture into small to medium sized clumps. Return to the oven and bake another 15 minutes or so before stirring again. Repeat the bake and stir until the mixture is a uniform golden brown and completely dry; this usually takes 1-1/2 hours. Cool completely, and then stir in any dried fruit you want to use. Store in a covered container at room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Streusel Topping

In the bowl of an electric mixer, using a paddle attachment, mix (or you can use a pastry cutter and do this step by hand):
1 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup granulated sugar
4 ounces cold unsalted butter
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt

Continue mixing until pea-size bits of streusel form. Set aside.

In a large bowl, mix to combine:
3 cups sugar
3/4 plus 2 tablespoons vegetable oil ( substitute 1/2 cup applesauce and 1/4 cup oil +2 tablespoons for a low fat version)
3 large eggs
1 15-ounce can of pumpkin

Sift together:
3 1/4 cups of flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons salt
2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon ground cloves
Pinch of allspice

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined.

*Optional add and stir just to combine:
1 cup chopped nuts
3/4 cup golden raisins

Fill paper lined muffin pan to the top of the paper liner. Sprinkle approximately 2 tablespoons of streusel over the top of each muffin. Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a cake tester comes out clean. Cool 5 to 10 minutes before removing from the pan.

1 loaf 16 oz Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Swirl Bread cut into cubes
3/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
6 eggs, beaten
3 cups half-and-half, or milk
2 tsp vanilla extract
Cinnamon sugar or confectioners sugar
Whipped butter
Maple syrup

Place bread cubes and cranberries/raisins in greased 3 qt. shallow baking dish.
Mix eggs, half-and-half and vanilla extract.
Pour over all. Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or overnight.
Uncover.
Bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes or until golden brown.
Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar. Serve with butter and syrup.

Yield: 12 Muffins

Lightly grease the top of a 12 mold muffin pan and line it with paper liners. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Have all the ingredients at room temperature.

In a medium bowl mix well:
1 cup sugar
4 ounces unsalted butter (1 stick)
2 eggs

On a piece of waxed paper, sift together:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking soda
¾ teaspoon salt

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix to combine.

Add and mix just to combine:
1 cup mashed bananas
½ cup chopped walnuts
2 tablespoons hot water

Scoop the batter into the prepared muffin pan filling each to the top of the paper liner. (Optional: Before baking sprinkle ½ cup chopped walnuts over the muffins.) Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a cake tester inserted into the center of a muffin comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 to 10 minutes before removing the muffins from the pan.