Mint Frosting

I love cupcakes! If you're going to make cupcakes, then why not make homemade frosting too? Mint is refreshing and perfect for St. Patrick's Day (or any day)!
Ingredients:
1/2 cup Butter, room temperature
1 lb box Confectioners Sugar 
1 tsp Vanilla 
3-4 Tbsp Milk
1/2 tsp Mint Extract
1-2 drops Green food coloring 
Directions: 
Cream butter, sugar, vanilla and milk in a mixer on low speed. Then beat on medium speed for 1-2 minutes until creamy. Scrape down bowl and add in mint flavoring and food coloring and mix another 30 seconds or so. Enjoy!  

Homemade Granola

My brother sent us some granola for Christmas that we devoured. I found a recipe that used Maple Syrup and made some changes. Here is what I came up with!
Ingredients:
3 cups rolled oats
1 cup nuts (unsalted cashews & almonds)
2/3 cup pure VT maple syrup
1/3 cup light olive oil
1/4 cup packed light-brown sugar
1/4 cup seeds (pumpkin)
pinch of sea salt
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 cup dried fruit* (cranberries)

Directions: Preheat oven to 300. Prepare a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Coarsely chop nuts. Mix all ingredients together (*except dried fruit) in large bowl. Toss. Spread into baking sheet and place in oven. Bake, stirring every 10 minutes, for a total of 40 minutes. Stir in dried fruit and cook for 10 minutes more. Cool and serve. Time for a parfait!