Baked oatmeal

Like a big, soft cookie for breakfast

For a special weekend breakfast (like our Bayfield trip), my mom's go-to is baked oatmeal. It's the kind of meal that's like a hug for your stomach and soul. It's warm, sweet, and as good as dessert — except better because you can indulge all morning long.  

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BAKED OATMEAL

WHAT YOU'LL NEED:
3 cups quick-cook oats
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, softened
2 eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp baking powder
1 and 1/2 tsp salt

WHAT YOU'LL DO:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9 by 13-inch pan. Combine the above ingredients and spread evenly into the pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden brown. Serve with warm milk and a sprinkling of cinnamon. * Note: For those with a sweet tooth, you can also top with brown sugar, but I find you don't need it.

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If you're feeling adventurous, try adding fruit and/or nuts to your oatmeal and let me know how that works for you. Myself? I'm a purist when it comes to such simple pleasures as Mom's baked oatmeal. Of course, adding some chocolate chips might be an extra-special treat for any of you kids (or kids at heart) out there: breakfast straight from the cookie jar!