Maple Granola Loot Bags

[Sac à Surprise]

I remember loot bags with great fondness.  Presented at the anticlimax of the evening, it seems their sole reason for existence was to act as a distraction, avoiding the tears of a few dozen children about to be torn away from sugar, games and friends.  These parting gifts were the cherry on the top an already exhilarating birthday celebration.

Relevant to the theme of the party, my loot bags were always well orchestrated.  Seeing as we celebrated my birthday, the day before Valentine's Day, it was quite simple to come up with a the proper representation.  My mother and I would carefully pack identical white paper sacks full of cinnamon, chocolate and/or jelly hearts, friendly valentine notes, gum and toys.  We would seal the deal with a solitary heart shaped sticker.  For days there after wards, the contents were the topic of school yard chatter.  I felt impossibly lucky to have contributed to the mini hysteria.

Such is the same nearly twenty years later.  My philosophy does little for hostess gifts.  I spend my energy on my guests.  Initially, I ensure they are well fed but continue the hospitality with a little take-away token. In the case of brunch at One Whole Clove, the souvenirs were mini bags of maple granola, perfect to top yogurt, ice cream or eat simply right out of the cellophane wrap!

Homemade Granola

4 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
3 cups of a mixture pepitas (hulled pumpkin seeds-the green ones!), sliced almonds, cashews and sunflower seeds
1/4 cup dried blueberries
1/4 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dried apple, cut into small pieces
1 cup maple syrup
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice

In a large bowl, thoroughly blend oats, nuts maple syrup and spices.  Place on a baking sheet and toast in a preheated 350 degree F oven for twenty minutes, stirring mixture 2 or 3 times during process.  Let cool and add dried fruit, mixing them through the mixture thoroughly.  Store in an airtight container for up to two weeks.