Blackberry Baked Oatmeal

Oatmeal is one of those foods that I didn't like until recently. The texture creeped me out, it seemed to lack flavor, and it was just gross. Okay okay so had I actually tried oatmeal since I was like 4? No. But you know how you have all of those preconceived notions about foods you haven't tried right? Well in 2011 I made a vow to try foods I had previously thought were gross (cream cheese, yogurt, oatmeal, to name a few). That's when I discovered I LOVE OATMEAL. I think McDonald's may have helped me out on that one though. Their oatmeal has apples, raisins and maple syrup in it. I don't know what else they put it in but it's seriously addictive. Since trying McDonald's oatmeal, it's come a morning staple for me and I make it at home all the time. When I heard about baked oatmeal I was seriously intrigued. I wasn't sure what to expect but what I ended up with was fluffy, smooth and delicious -- almost like a cross between oatmeal and a breakfast cake. The oaks soak up the milk beautifully and when it comes out of the oven its a real treat, it almost feels like you're eating dessert.. but for breakfast! I also really like that you can change up the spices and fruits to have a completely different breakfast depending on what fits your mood. This is definitely something I'll be making again!

Ingredients:
3 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
1 cup skim milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups blackberries, frozen
honey and cinnamon, for topping

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350F. Butter the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking pan. In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, cinnamon and salt. In a medium sized bowl, whisk together the egg, milk oil and vanilla. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir to combine. Arrange half of the blackberries in the baking dish. Spoon in the oatmeal mixture. Press the remaining blackberries into the top of the oatmeal mixture. Sprinkle with cinnamon if desired. Bake at 350F for 30-40 minutes, or until the middle is set and the edges are golden brown. Drizzle with honey and serve. Serving suggestion: Eat with sliced bananas!

Yields 8 servings.

Source: Recipe from Spark Recipes