Wynette Richards

Baked Oatmeal (Variation)

I came across this recipe on the Weight Watchers web forum and have modified it a little. E.g., it called for 1/2 cup Splenda but it's plenty sweet with all the bananas and who needs chemicals? This one uses more oats and less milk, so it isn't soggy, and more spices. I usually add walnuts which weren't in the original recipe. Despite its homely name I love it. It's easy to make, full of healthy ingredients, light, moist, chewy, flavorful, and especially nice to make in winter when you want to heat up your kitchen with the oven. It's a Weight Watchers Core recipe if you use skim milk and leave out the walnuts. If you leave in the good-for-you walnuts, add 2 points per square. (Any left-over canned pumpkin keeps in the refrigerator for a while and can be used for several batches over time.)

The Recipe

1. Preheat oven to 350.
2. Mix these dry ingredients together in a large bowl:
   • 3 cups dry uncooked oatmeal (regular, not quick or instant)
   • 1-1/2 tsp baking powder
   • 1/2 tsp salt
   • 2-1/2 tsp cinnamon
   • 1/4 tsp ground cloves (optional)
   • 1/4 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
3. Mix these wet ingredients well in blender:
   • 2 eggs or 1/2 cup eggbeaters
   • 1/2 cup milk (skim or 1% work fine, soymilk would probably be fine, too)
   • 1/2 cup canned pumpkin or unsweetened applesauce (or apple butter if you want it to be sweeter)
   • 2 large bananas or 3 small bananas
   • 1 tsp vanilla
4. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients and mix. Then stir in these:
   • 1 c. chopped walnuts (optional but highly recommended)
   • 1 c. fresh or frozen blueberries (optional, but highly recommended). If frozen, do NOT thaw first. Take them out of the freezer at the last minute so they are frozen when you stir them in. Otherwise, the dough will turn purple.
5. Spread in lightly oiled 8x8 or 11x7" pan.
6. Bake for 40 to 50 minutes. (Convection oven, 35+ minutes.) They should be moist and chewy but not soggy. Maybe a little crispy along the edges.
7. Cut into eight squares. Store in refrigerator.
8. Eat cold, or, it's good heated up in the microwave (with a tiny bit of butter on top)

• Calories: 284
• Carbs: 37 g
• Fat: 13 g
• Protein: 8 g
• Fiber: 6 g
• Sugar: 11 g

• Use craisins (sweetened dried cranberries) instead of blueberries.
• Use chopped prunes instead of blueberries.

• Use raisins instead of blueberries.
• Use chopped apple instead of blueberries.
• Perhaps use more pumpkin/applesauce and less milk.
• Perhaps add a little butter or oil in place of some of the milk.