Baked Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal

Oh winter. Thou cold dark winter. How I love thy twinkling Christmas lights. That is thine only redeeming factor.

Thou art cold. Thou art so dark. Thou makest photography ever harder. Thou art a menace.

But I will accept your apologies. As long as you send them with cinnamon and maple syrup. And a handful of raisins.

Baked Cinnamon Apple Oatmeal
inspired by the Dainty Chef
2 cups old fashioned oats
1 tsp baking powder
3 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup maple syrup
2 cups milk
2 eggs
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 apples (any kind), peeled, cored, and diced into 1/2-inch pieces
1 cup raisins

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. In a medium bowl, toss together the oats, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In another bowl, whisk together the maple syrup, milk, egg, the melted butter, and the vanilla.

Place the diced apples in a single layer in the bottom of a medium casserole dish. Sprinkle about two-thirds of the raisins over the top of the apples, then cover the fruit with the oat mixture. Drizzle the milk mixture over the oats, making sure to distribute the milk as evenly as possible. Sprinkle the remaining raisins over the top of the oats.

Bake the oatmeal for 35-45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the oats have set. Remove the oatmeal from the oven and serve warm. Serves 4-6. Enjoy!

I'm certain this would work with Smart Balance or oil, if you choose. I used butter cause I had it on hand.