Pear Trail Mix

INGREDIENTS

• 2 small pears (try Green Anjou), unpeeled, diced into small pieces (about ½ inches); (about 2 ½ cups diced)
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• ¼ cup smooth, natural almond butter
• 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups old-fashioned oats, gluten free
• 1 cup whole raw almonds
• 1 cup whole raw cashews
• 1 cup raw sunflower seeds
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 275 F.
2. Place diced pears in a small bowl and sprinkle with lemon juice.
3. In a large mixing bowl, mix together almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla, and water with a whisk until smooth.
4. Add pears with lemon juice, oats, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, and cinnamon to the large mixing bowl with almond butter mixture.
5. Mix the pear-oat-nut mixture well to moisten dry ingredients.
6. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray and spread trail mix evenly in the pan.
7. Place in the center of the oven and bake for about 1 hour, stirring every 15 minutes, until trail mix is golden and pears are dried. 
8. Remove from oven, cool, and transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, or freezer for up to 6 months.
9. Makes 16 servings (about 1/2 cup each) or 8 cups.