Oatmeal Muffins

The monster loves apple cinnamon oatmeal.

She orders it up first thing in the morning...

"apple cereal please!"

Sometimes, before she is even out of her crib.

I made it from scratch last year.

Cooking small batches and keeping it in the fridge.

Storage was always a problem...

and making it a couple times a week just wasn't a great plan.

So I would end up using the instant pouches.

They are more expensive and just not as good for you.

The healthier ones with less sugar cost even more.

And it was still time consuming...

I would have to cook it and then let it cool enough to eat.

The monster doesn't like to wait that long for breakfast.

Now that I have all the freezer room in the basement I could ever want...

I hatched a plan.

I made the oatmeal...

a huge batch.

Then I froze it in my muffin pan.

Popped them out and they are ready in the freezer.

Perfect little "muffins" of oatmeal.

One minute in the microwave and they are just right to eat.

Here is the recipe I came up with...

It made 24 muffins and a little extra for breakfast in the morning.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal "Muffins"

4 1/2 C • old fashioned rolled oats

8 1/2 C • water

1 quart • unsweetened applesauce or 32 oz. jar

2 T • vanilla extract

2 T • cinnamon

1 C • honey

2 t • salt

Bring water and salt to boil.

Reduce heat to medium/medium-low and add oats.

Cook 6-7 minutes stirring occasionally.

Reduce heat to low and add applesauce, vanilla, cinnamon and honey.

Stir until heated through, about one minute.

Remove from heat and cover.

Let cool and spoon into muffin pan.

Freeze until solid.

I dipped the pan into warm water to loosen the muffins.

Popped them in a freezer bag and in the freezer.

15 minutes of hands-on time

I had 24 pre-made breakfasts.

I love that.

Joining: Project52 : Made with Love