Baked apple pie oatmeal

(For those of you keeping track, today is snow day #3.  I'm going to make myself leave my apartment at some point, I swear... after a digital cable workout, perhaps baking, and surely some quality sitting.)

And that, my friends, is why I love snow days.  There is nothing better I can think of than sleeping in on a snow day (when you know the night before you don't have to go to work the next day so the alarm is off) and getting up to make a delicious breakfast around, say, 10 instead of 7.  Especially one that tastes like dessert.  Actually, it would make an equally delicious dessert poured over a nice scoop of vanilla ice cream... I'm sensing a repeat of this recipe later this week.

All of the ingredients are things most people would have on a regular basis.  Maybe not the apple juice at all times, but it's common enough to find anywhere.  And the finished product?  How could I not love something that makes my apartment smell so darn good and tastes like the most all-American dessert in the history of desserts?  Exactly.  (Hey, you pie-hating friends of mine, I think you would even like this!)

Look at it!  Regarding consistency, it's like a thick oatmeal and is best eaten with a spoon.  If you'd like something stiffer, decrease the amount of water added.  This recipe can also be easily multiplied if there are more mouths to feed (what a perfect breakfast this would be for guests!), but be sure to increase the dish size.  You don't want the mixture to be too thick (more than 1.5 inches) or the top won't get that slight crust.  For two servings, I used a 9 x 6 inch glass dish.

Apple Pie Oatmeal

-serves 2

1 apple, peeled, cored and chopped

2/3 cup oatmeal

2/3 cup apple juice

2/3 cup water

Dash of cinnamon

Splash of pure vanilla extract

Dash of ground nutmeg

3 teaspoons brown sugar

Preheat oven to 375F.  In a small bowl, microwave chopped apple for 1 minute.  Mix together apples and rest of ingredients in a 9 x 6 inch glass dish.  Smooth with spatula.  Bake at 375 for 20 minutes.  Remove from oven and serve immediately.  Enjoy the tummy-warming goodness and get back into bed, if desired :)