My inherent distrust of hot cereal began in Grade 9 home economics class. Partway through the semester, our teacher (sorry, Miss T.) prepared a hot cereal sampling smorgasbord. From cream of wheat and oatmeal to grits and rice cereal, those steaming bowls of wallpaper paste (or so they looked to me) were laid in front of us. With no fruit, brown sugar, or maple syrup to mask the flavor and texture, my melodramatic teenaged self felt as though she was facing the proverbial firing squad. Of course, this was right on the heels of the ground pork roll (made with school district-budget pork) stuffed with applesauce. To say that I was a little leery of Miss T.’s culinary intentions would be an understatement.
Now, I have read all of the studies touting oatmeal’s health benefits. Up until now, however, consuming oats in treats such as Chewy Nutella and Oatmeal Bars and Oatmeal Chocolate Fudge Layer Bars has been my only option for enjoying the high-fiber grains. Somehow I don’t think this is what the American Heart Association had in mind when they recommended consuming oatmeal as part of a healthy breakfast.
I was certain that all hope was lost for a reconciliation with hot cereal until I came across my friend Maria’s (of Two Peas and Their Pod) post about baked oatmeal. This sounded suspiciously like a dessert, but after looking closely at the ingredients list, I realized this recipe could be the answer to my lifelong prejudice against hot cereal. I made several tweaks to Maria’s original recipe – increased the oats and brown sugar, used a whole egg, changed the spices and the fruit – but I was thrilled to find that, with a splash of warm milk poured over top, the once-mushy protagonist of my breakfast nightmares became something to look forward to at mealtime. Brown sugar and dried apricots and cherries add a touch of sweetness, while cinnamon, ginger and almonds lend a complementary savory note.
If you do not have a family of eight to polish this off in one sitting, no need to fret. The baked oatmeal can be stored in the refrigerator, covered with plastic wrap, and reheated on another day.
The recipe:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8- by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, stir together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, applesauce, butter and vanilla.
Pour the milk mixture into the oat mixture and stir to combine. Stir in dried cherries and apricots, and slivered almonds.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden brown and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve. The oatmeal can be served on its in or in a bowl, with a little warm milk poured over top.
Other baked oatmeal recipes:
Joy the Baker’s Baked Oatmeal with Fresh Raspberries & Pistachios
Two Peas and Their Pod’s Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal
A Year of Slow Cooking’s CrockPot Baked Oatmeal
A couple of reminders:
(Don’t forget to head over to my giveaway blog for a chance to win a prize from General Electric.)
(For a chance to win a gift pack from Cache Valley Cheese, including a Dutch oven, head to my giveaway blog.)
Baked Ginger Oatmeal with Apricot, Cherry & Almond
3 cups old-fashioned oats
1/3 cup (packed) brown sugar
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp ground ginger
1 1/2 cups skim milk
1 egg
3/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots (about 8)
1/2 cup dried cherries
1/3 cup slivered almonds
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat an 8- by 8-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In a large bowl, stir together oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt, ground ginger, and ground cinnamon.
In a medium bowl, whisk together milk, egg, applesauce, butter and vanilla.
Pour the milk mixture into the oat mixture and stir to combine. Stir in dried cherries and apricots, and slivered almonds.
Transfer the mixture to the prepared baking dish. Bake until golden brown and set, 20 to 25 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes, then serve. The oatmeal can be served on its in or in a bowl, with a little warm milk poured over top.
Serves 6 to 8.
warmvanillasugar says
This looks so healthy. I love dried fruit in my oatmeal. Yum!
Pegasuslegend says
just love these healthy heart recipes this ones for me!
mamawj says
oh my this looks so yummy to try thanks, I love oatmeal and those ingredients added look so good
sewitupjulie at gmail dot com
Dulce Dough says
This is my kind of oatmeal! Looks delicious!
EatLiveRun says
These looks like such a great twist to the normal everyday bowl of oats!
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
I love this idea! Pop it in the oven and move onto to something else. I bet it also greatly improves the texture of the oatmeal. 🙂
Steph says
This is right up my alley!! I eat oatmeal EVERY morning for breakfast and am always looking for a new way to enjoy it. Thanks for a great recipe!
Soma says
🙂 I have no bad memories, but still am not fond of oatmeal.. LOL But this recipe does sound like it has all delicious things in it. I love dried fruits and might just change my mind.
wenderly says
Mmmmmmm, looks so warm and wholesome, like a hug in a bowl!
What a perfect way to start my day!
CherylK says
Luckily, I DO like oatmeal so this recipe caught my eye (on Twitter)immediately. I have every single thing this calls for in my pantry – yay!
Nisrine, Dinners and Dreams says
Absolutely delightful. I love it and would finish it in no time!
Belinda @zomppa says
I never thought to bake oatmeal – I too have my oatmeal every morning and love this idea – especially for a big crew!
agirlandhercarrot says
"My inherent distrust of hot cereal" is one of the best lines I've read! So funny and so true of the many I try convincing that they should give it a shot. I am a huge fan of oatmeal "anything" and I make the baked version as well. I recently added a bananas foster flavor on top of my oats. Great recipe and great way to overcome your fear of the "pasty" bowls of white stuff!
BonnieBanters says
This sounds intriguing. I've never heard of baked oatmeal. What is the textured like…a soft cake, bar cookie, bread pudding…? I'm trying to imagine…
Elin says
CC…this is so delicious…with the fruit and nuts in it 🙂 YUmm Yumm…thanks for sharing this recipe. Would love to bake this one day for our breakfast 🙂
Have a nice day,
Elin
Christine says
What a great idea! I've never had baked oatmeal. I'll have to try it since I'm not real fond of oatmeal. I have to put a ton of cinnamon on it, plus butter and sugar which sort of blows the whole idea of a healthy meal out the window! Thanks for sharing!
Tanvi says
I am not too fond of eating oats either:)I have recently started baking with oats.Oatmeal will be a nice twist to recipes.Your looks simple..gotta try this soon.
Natanya @ Fete and Feast says
I love oatmeal (and Cream of Wheat too but oatmeal is better for me I suppose) but I do get tired of the same ol' same ol' oatmeal in a bowl. This is a lovely alternative. I think I'll try 1/2 a recipe to have on hand all week.
Delishhh says
This looks awesome. I love oatmeal. I grew up with oatmeal that you cook on the stove for 20 minutes with milk. So when i came to the US i really thought the oatmeal was pretty gross until i found the old school stuff i could cook with milk on the stove and make some creamy oatmeal. But this sounds just like the texture i like. I am going to have to try this.
A Canadian Foodie says
I found this a hilarious read considering I am a middle school foods teacher. What a brilliant tasting activity she was trying to engage you in. How completely perfect to hear your reaction to it this many years later. Oh my! Thankfully, I haven't ever done anything like this, but I like it.
🙂
Valerie
chefblogdigest says
This is a healthy food for every one and the combination of the different color of the ingredients is perfect
danasfoodforthought says
I eat oatmeal every weekday morning for breakfast. This version is something I ma going to have to add to my repertoire!
Maria says
I am so glad you found a place in your heart for oatmeal:) Baked is the best. I love your version!
Jenny says
Oatmeal is such a comfort food in my book! Looks delicious Dara!
Lindsey @ Gingerbread Bagels says
Baked oatmeal sounds amazing. I love the addition of ginger in the baked oatmeal! 🙂
Georgia (The Comfort of Cooking) says
I love oatmeal for breakfast in the morning, and I know I would absolutely love your take on it in this wonderful recipe. This looks so flavorful and warm and delicious… I'll have to try it soon. Thanks for sharing!
Michelle @ Brown Eyed Baker says
Great recipe! And I'm so glad you've come to like oatmeal. I love it – have it every single morning!
RecipeGirl says
Gonna have to try it! I grew up with Cream of Wheat, not oatmeal. Now I love oatmeal but have yet to try it baked. Looks like a good way to eat it 🙂
Sprinkled with Flour says
I'm always looking for ways to spice up my morning oatmeal. What a delicious sounding recipe!
Monet says
I have never been a fan of hot cereal either…so maybe this is the recipe for me! It looks and sounds delicious, and I have a bag of oats that need some love. Thanks for sharing, sweet lady. I hope you have a splendid weekend full of sleep, laughter and love!
Peabody says
Now, that's the way to eat oatmeal!
MarmandeintheKitchen says
I love baked oatmeal – the apricots and almonds in this one seem like a great combination. I've made it before with canned pumpkin as well. Looks delicious!
Tracy says
I've never made baked oatmeal before but now I absolutely have to try it!
Fuji Mama says
I cannot resist a recipe that features ginger! Guess what I'm having for breakfast VERY SOON? 🙂
Deeba says
Baked oatmeal? Mmmm … have to try this soon! Looks great!
marla says
Love this! Linking back to this post in an upcoming FFC post 🙂
Kim Peterson says
How much vanilla in Baked Ginger Oatmeal with Apricot, Cherry & Almond? Mentioned in recipe directions but not in ingredients.