Oatmeal

After posting the recipe for Baked Oatmeal, I thought I must put in a plug for cooked oatmeal yet too. I have learned a couple ways my girls do really enjoy it...
Since most folks know how to cook it, I won't give the how to's. Just add:

BUTTER, BROWN SUGAR, and VANILLA
Don't be stingy, either! Especially with the butter... remember butter is an all-natural fat, just the way God made it and kids need that! (I'm just a big kid, right?)

The other alterative that works well at our house is...are you ready?....
CHOCOLATE CHIPS
Need I say anymore? In our defense, we are an all girl household most mornings!

Baked Oatmeal

What I have here is a recipe for baked oatmeal. Oatmeal will never be the same again, after you have tried this! We love it!

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups oatmeal, quick or rolled
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
cinnamon (optional)
Pour in a greased pan. I use a glass 9"x11".
Bake @ 350 for 40 minutes
In a hurry? Crank it up to 400 and it'll be done in 30 minutes.

Now for some variations...
I have found the melted butter in the microwave after the oatmeal was baked. It turned out ok, but the butter does make it better!
The original recipe given to me, says you can use syrup in place of brown sugar. I have never tried that.
You can also exchange apple juice for the milk, which I have also never done. We are a milk loving household!
I usually leave out the cinnamon, but it's just personal preference.
We love to eat this with homemade yogurt and fruit over it. Thickened fruit, like pie fillings, are good, but just about anything you like, goes!
For some reason, Baked Oatmeal is really great leftover. Just cold and plain. I have never had a problem knowing what to do with it, when I make too much. It's always gone by the end of the day.
For those of you who like to eat soggy food, it just might be good with milk over it. I say that grudgingly, I can't figure out the whole liking for soggy food. Give Abe a pack of graham crackers and a bowl of milk and he's smiling! I guess that comes from growing up eating things like "milk soup". (Cold milk, fruit, cubed bread, and sugar)
I love making Baked Oatmeal for company. People always like it! You can make it up the evening before and pop it in the oven when you get up. By the time you are dressed and combed it's ready to serve.
Happy eating and a great morning to you!