pumpkin butter + pepita granola

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (29 ounce) can pumpkin puree, approx. 3 1/2 cups
• 3/4 cup apple juice
• 2 teaspoons ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 1/3 cups brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 cup sweetened flaked coconut
• 1/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup sliced almonds (1 oz)
• 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
• 1/3 cup green (hulled) pumpkin seeds, sometimes called pepitas (1 1/2 oz; not roasted)
• 1/3 cup packed dark brown sugar
• 1/4 cup mild honey
• Pinch cinnamon
• Pinch salt (flaky sea salt is wonderful in here)
• 1 cup tart dried cherries
• 1/2 cup dried blueberries
• 1/2 cup dried pears (1/4 inch dice)
• 1/2 cup diced dried apricots (1/4 inch dice)
• 1/3 cup golden raisins
• – or –
• 2 3/4 cups mixed dried fruit of your choice (I used pears, figs and tart cherries)