Baked Oatmeal

I was first introduced to baked oatmeal when my uncle made it at a family reunion a couple years ago.  I had never heard of it before, but I found it delightful and asked him for his recipe.  About a year ago I started to look for make ahead breakfasts to cut down on the morning rush and this fit the bill!  While the texture of normal leftover oatmeal is gummy and unappetizing the next day, this is perfect.  Baked oatmeal gives you all sorts of good things in the morning- whole grains, eggs and milk for protein, and some fruit.  I have tweaked this recipe until I have it just how I like it.  Not too soggy or dry.  I cut the butter down and added some vanilla and spices to take it up a notch.  This is good cold or hot, with milk or on its own, and if you want it a little sweeter- a drizzle of honey is really good!

Ingredients:
2 cups old fashioned oats
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder
2 eggs
3/4 cup milk
4 Tablespoons melted butter
1/2 tablespoon vanilla
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
Fruit (see below)

Fruit choices- chopped apple, frozen blueberries, peaches, etc.

1. Mix dry first four dry ingredients.  Then add wet ingredients and mix until combined.

2. Pour into a square baking dish and sprinkle cinnamon and nutmeg on top.  Top with fruit.

3. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes

Since I usually have apples on hand, I will usually peel, core, and chop one large or two small apples and sprinkle them on top.  I also really like frozen blue berries in this.  I will sprinkle about two handfuls of blueberries on top.  During peach season I chopped up a peach and sprinkled that on top with a handful of blueberries.  That was delicious.  I like to press the fruit in a bit with my hands before I bake it.

Adapted from Heavenly Homemakers.