Breakfast food is growing on me. I used to think that cereal was the best option as it is quick and can be varied by choice. That was a few years ago. I've since broadened my experiences with breakfast food and rarely eat cereal now (although we always have a select few in our cupboard). Okay, fine, I'm eating a bowl of cereal right now! But, that's what happened. Cereal moved into my bedtime snack routine, away from breakfast. (Yes, dad, I am growing more and more like you every day!)
Oatmeal is a type of cereal to which I never took a liking. When I was pregnant last year, there was a morning when I craved oatmeal with maple sugar. So, I bought a pack of instant oatmeal, heated it up at work, took one bite and then instantly remembered how I didn't like it and threw the rest away! After that, for the rest of my pregnancy, the smell of maple or brown sugar oatmeal made me gag. It was unfortunate for me that one of my coworkers prepared it just about every morning. Yuck!
Enter Baked Oatmeal. My life is changed! Honestly, I do not know why I'm loving this baked oatmeal after never liking any other kind (well, except oatmeal cookies of course). But, this recipe is one I'll keep forever and will probably serve too much. It's definitely quick and can be varied very easily. Just add whatever fillings you like...whether it's apples, blueberries, bananas, brown sugar, etc. Throw it in the oven, and soon you can feed your guests a very lovely (yet, very easy) delicious breakfast!
I made this for our parents when they came and stayed with us for Judah's baptism a few weekends ago. Then, I meant to make it again last weekend when our friends from Detroit visited, but guess what, my oven broke!! If that happens again, I'm throwing it into my cast iron skillet and baking it on the grill. I did this with boxed brownie mix and it worked like a charm! 🙂
Baked Oatmeal
Makes: 8 - 10 servings
3 cups oatmeal
¾ cups brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
½ cup butter
2 eggs
2 cups milk
2 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
Optional Add-Ins: raisins, dried cranberries, blueberries, apples, bananas, walnuts, etc.
Optional Toppings: milk, cool whip, ice cream, etc
Preheat oven to 375˚F.
Butter a 13x9-inch pan. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients together. Pour into the buttered pan and bake for 25 minutes.
Serve hot with optional toppings.
Source: Cara Swartzendruber, a friend of Pennies on a Platter
