It’s the 21st which means it’s Recipe ReDux posting time again! Since January is full of resolve for new beginnings, this month’s theme is “Fresh Startsʺ featuring healthy breakfast makeovers. I knew immediately what recipe I wanted to share – one that has added some spark to my usual routine breakfasts.
One of my favorite parts of the now defunctant Gourmet magazine was when readers wrote in and asked for a recipe from a favorite restaurant. Back in December 2007, a reader requested the Baked Oatmeal recipe from Cafe Azafran in Lewes, DE, which is just a ferry ride away from one of my favorite shore points, Cape May, NJ. While I still have yet to visit that cafe, I’ve made this adapted version of baked oatmeal just about every month (sometimes weekly) since. You can swap in your favorite dried or fresh fruit depending on your mood or the season (dried cherries are hitting the spot for me lately.) I’ll either heat up a portion in a bowl and pour some warm milk over top or eat a square out of hand just like my 4 year old daughter – in fact, this is one of her favorite homemade snacks.
Ingredients
- 3 cups old fashioned oats
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 cup plain nonfat yogurt
- 1/2 cup nonfat milk
- 1/2 cup applesauce
- 1/4 cup canola oil
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 3/4 cup dried cherries
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 8x8-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
- In a large bowl, mix together oats, baking powder, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg.
- In another bowl, whisk together yogurt, milk, applesauce, oil, brown sugar, eggs and extract. Add wet ingredients to dry ingredients, mix until just incorporated. Fold in dried cherries.
- Pour batter into baking pan and spread evenly in pan.
- Cook for 35 minutes or until golden brown on top. Cool in pan for 30 minutes before cutting into squares.
Notes
*Adapted from December 2007 Gourmet magazine's Baked Oatmeal recipe
Mmm…! I almost tried making something similar to this, but in the end, with time constraints did not, so I definitely want to try making these oatmeal squares. Love the idea of heating them up and topping with milk. Love dried cherries too!
Thanks EA – can’t wait to dig into your Bananas Foster recipe!
love that first shot! these sound super yummy, and gluten-free with the right kind of oats. ahh, miss that gourmet.
thanks for sharing…
Glad one my recipes is easily adaptable to be GF and if you like one of my photos, well that is the ultimate compliment
Love this idea! Pinned on pintrest!
Thanks for the pin!
Baking oatmeal as a break from cooking stovetop allows for so many flavor and texture possibilities. This sounds like real winner!
Thanks for co-hosting Recipe Redux!
Thanks Liz – I seriously can’t wait to make that avocado smoothie.
These sound great. Printed and ready for a trial run. Thanks!
And you are in prime cherrie country over there – let me know if you make them.
These look wonderful. Oatmeal is my favorite grain. I love the dried cherries in them. Yum! I will have to give these a try.
Thank You!
Thanks Cherie – your scones look divine – going into my “to bake soon” recipe pile
Love this. Totally making these this weekend, this would also make a great snack. Thanks!
YUM. I am going to PIN your recipe (once I figure out Pinterest)!! Looks amazing. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Liz, I pinned your beautiful pancakes. In fact, I may just need to set up a Pinterest board dedicated solely to pancakes
These look delicious Deanna, I might have to make them today, did you use instant oats or the larger traditional type?
Thanks Emily – I used old fashioned/traditional oats.
These look delicious!
I love the addition of dried cherries..they are one of my fav dried fruits!
I know – I love love dried cherries and tend to forget about them for awhile. Then I see a recipe and get inspired to use them again!
Oh Deanna what a clever idea to add to a bowl with milk. Who woulda thunk it? So versatile for busy families like ours. Wishing you and Serena (along with Regan) utmost success with redux this year. Love being part of the club.
Thanks Em – you’ve been an invaluable member, never missing a month and sharing such inspiring recipes!
I’ve been looking for a good breakfast bar recipe recently and this sounds perfect! Thanks for sharing!
That sounds delicious! I have yet to try making baked oatmeal bars, these are going on my list to try.
Thanks Sylvie – they are super easy to make
Craving cherries now. Oh and oatmeal (of course)! GREG
Thanks to the Meal Makeover Moms for linking to this – they look great! . Do you have the nutrition breakdown?
I don’t have the specific nutrient breakdown but estimate these to be around 150 calories per square (with the dried fruit.)
Thank you so much!