Baked Oatmeal

This is a healthy and delicious way to serve your oatmeal in the morning. With the first taste, you will wonder if it is actually breakfast, or should be served as dessert! Be sure to serve topped with warm milk and your favorite fruit, if desired. Can be made the day before and refrigerated. From the You Asked For It section of Gourmet Magazine, December 2007.

• Ready In: 55 mins
• Serves: 9

Ingredients

• 3  cups rolled oats
• 1  cup raisins
• 1⁄4 cup granulated sugar
• 2  teaspoons baking powder
• 1 3⁄4 teaspoons cinnamon, divided
• 3⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup applesauce
• 1⁄2 cup plain yogurt
• 1⁄2 cup  whole milk
• 1⁄4 cup canola oil
• 2  large eggs
• 2  teaspoons pure vanilla extract
• 2  tablespoons  packed light brown sugar

• Accompaniments

•  warm milk
•  yogurt
•  fresh fruit

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees with rack in the center of oven.
2. Lightly oil 8" square glass baking dish.
3. In a large bowl, stir together oats, raisins, granulated sugar, baking powder, 1 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and salt.
4. In another bowl, whisk together applesauce, yogurt, milk, oil eggs, and vanilla, until smooth.
5. Stir into oat mixture, then pour into baking dish.
6. Stir together brown sugar with remaining 1/4 tsp cinnamon and sprinkle over oatmeal, then bake until a wooden pick inserted into center comes out clean, about 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Cool to warm in pan on a rack 20-30 minutes, then cut into squares.
8. **Note: Baked Oatmeal can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Blot away any moister from surface, then reheat in a preheated 325 degree oven, covered with foil, until heated through, about 15 minutes.