Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal
It is Christmas week and the kids are home from school. Most of us have special foods for Christmas morning, but we have to feed our family all week. This Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal is great for quiet mornings when you can sleep in and stay in your pajamas a little later than usual. It also works really well for busy weekdays. You can prep it the night before and place it in the oven when you wake up.
My daughter took a little taste as I was photographing this today and she said “mom, you make lots of baked oatmeal, but this one is the best!” I do make lots of baked oatmeal because it is super simple to throw together and it makes a hearty warm breakfast for weekdays. Check out Pumpkin Spice Baked Oatmeal, Lemon Blueberry Baked Oatmeal and Apple Cinnamon Baked Oatmeal.
Cranberry Orange Baked Oatmeal
**Note** The nuts are optional, but if your family likes nuts, please add them, it really enhances the oatmeal.
- 1 3/4 Cup Milk
- 2 Eggs
- 1/2 Cup Brown Sugar (packed)
- 1/4 Cup Butter, melted
- 1 1/2 teaspoon orange zest (from 1 large orange)
- 3 Cups Old Fashioned Oats (oatmeal)
- 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 6 oz Sweetened Dried Cranberries (Craisins) (about 1 packed cup)
- 1 Cup Chopped Walnuts, toasted (optional) See note for toasting.
- Cooking Spray
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
In a medium bowl, mix milk, eggs, brown sugar, and melted butter. Add in the oats, baking powder, salt, and stir to combine. Fold in the dried cranberries and optional nuts.
Generously coat an 8 x 8 baking dish with cooking spray. (I prefer a glass baking dish, but metal works too.) Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake at 350 for 30 minutes. The oatmeal should be a little jiggly in the middle (like custard.) Remove from oven and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before serving. It will continue to cook and thicken as it rests. Serve warm. **Note** To toast the nuts, place them in a microwave safe dish and heat at 100% power for 2-3 minutes until warm and fragrant. I like to start with 2 minutes and test them to see if they are warm. Continue to heat 30 seconds at a time until they are warm and fragrant.
