Baked Oatmeal- Splurge and Slender

I think I've mentioned before that oatmeal for breakfast is big around here. Most days I have plain oatmeal topped with some type of fruit and a drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkling of  brown sugar.

My better half however, is an oatmeal hater. His issues:

1- Both of us are up and running at 5 a.m.. Who wants to be cooking oatmeal at that hour? (I might be a nice wife, but not that nice!)

2- It has to be firm and flaky. No gloppy or slimy oatmeal for him.

3- He much prefers room temperature or cold oatmeal.

The solution?

Baked oatmeal! This Baked Oatmeal  (originally posted on Mel's Kitchen Cafe) mixed with eggs, milk, brown sugar and a few other simple ingredients you probably already have on hand. Firm, flaky and thanks to a healthy dose of brown sugar, more cake-like than oatmeal.

Still, there's one problem. More of a special occasion, serve to company kind of breakfast, this delicious oatmeal felt a little to decadent to be eating on a regular basis. Mel to the rescue again! Thanks to her ongoing commitment to feed her family a more healthful diet, she remade the recipe to cut back the sugar, sub out some oil for applesauce, and still keep the delicious flavor.

Every week I half the recipe and cut it into squares. I store it in the refrigerator, for my now oatmeal loving husband, who can grab a square and be on his way. He's happy, I'm happy, we're all happy!


Baked Oatmeal  Slender Version
adapted slightly from Mel's Kitchen Cafe

6 cups oatmeal, either quick or old-fashioned
1 1/2 cups brown sugar
1/2 cup oil
1/2 cup applesauce (cinnamon applesauce is delicious)
2 cups milk
4 beaten eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoons salt
1/4 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 9X13-inch baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Serve with milk and/or fresh fruit. (Can be halved and baked in a 8x8 or 9x9 pan.)

Baked Oatmeal  Splurge Version
Mel's Kitchen Cafe

6 cups oatmeal (we prefer quick oats)
2 cups brown sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups milk
4 beaten eggs
1 tablespoon baking powder
2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a greased 9X13-inch baking pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Top with fresh fruit and milk, if desired. This recipe can easily be halved and baked in an 8X8-inch pan.