My Decadent Strawberry Baked Oatmeal-- 4.5/5 Stars of Delight

My goodness, we have a winner!!! This is delicious!!! It was easy to make, and my taste buds were leaping for joy just smelling it! The aroma of cinnamon, sugar, and fruit cooking almost made me die waiting-- and that would be why my picture has some missing... :) It was so soft, gooey, warm, sweet, melty, fresh... I could continue. I am not even joking right now-- there is a hip-hoppin' party going on in my tummy right now; I can only wish for you the same party!

The only thing that if you have issues with mushy food, I don't think you could handle it.

But anywho...

Due to my current food coma, I don't think I can even write anymore. All I'm going to say is mmm.... :)

Strawberry Baked Oatmeal Recipe

Prep time

10 mins

Cook time

35 mins

Total time

45 mins

Equipment you’ll need. You will need a 10-1/2 by 7-inch or 8-inch by 8-inch baking dish, a baking sheet, a chef’s knife, 2 large bowls and a whisk.

Serves: 6-- I think it serves 9 better

Ingredients

•    2 cups old fashioned rolled oats—used quick oats instead

•    1/3 cup packed light brown sugar—can reduce

•    1 teaspoon baking powder

•    1 tablespoon grated orange zest-- I was too lazy to do this

•    1 teaspoon cinnamon

•    1/2 teaspoon salt

•    1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

•    1 cup sliced strawberries

•    1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

•    2 cups reduced-fat (2%) milk—used skim instead

•    1 large egg

•    3 tablespoons butter, melted

•    2 teaspoons vanilla extract

•    1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

Cooking Instructions

1.  Heat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish (or 8-inch by 8-inch square baking dish) with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

2.  In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, cinnamon, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. Add to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top of the oats. Then, scatter the banana slices.

3.  In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract. Then, pour over oats and fruit. Gently shimmy and shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.