1.13.2012

Oatmeal Muffins

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

13 comments:

Susan said...

Oh my, looks wonderful. I may have to try it myself.

Hope you have a blessed day♥

rachel said...

these look delicious. it must have been an oatmeal kind of day yesterday because I made oatmeal cookies with golden raisins that are SOOOO good I had to leave the house so I would quit eating them. : )

Adrienne said...

Very clever. Made an oatmeal smoothie yesterday...which was yummy but very cold. This looks better for this time of year. My husband eats oatmeal (out of the bag) at work every day...wonder if he'd take one of these with him??!

Cari said...

Okay, you get the smart award. Brilliant. I usually cook up enough oatmeal for the week, but this would help a lot. You can do the same with Blueberry PIE! You just line your pie dish with plastic wrap then freeze. Pop it into a pre-made or homemade crust and bake, instant pie. Good tip, Nessa!

ARK said...

BRILLIANT.

Julie Ball said...

How stinkin' clever! One of my boys also LOVES oatmeal. I feel way too guilty buying the pouches but I know myself well enough to know that I'm never getting up early enough to do fix real oatmeal before school. I will definitely try this! Thank you so much for sharing your brilliance!

Kelly said...

these look delicious.

Anonymous said...

Amazing idea! Great shot too-

Gina Kleinworth said...

Those look so good- I'm thinking I may need to pick up some applesauce so I can make them.

kristance! said...

oh man oh man. this is totally happening. the kids LOVE oatmeal (and will eat two bowls at at time!)

Amanda said...

this is great! i want to make some for myself :)

Jessica @ My Simply Complicated said...

Oooh! Such a great idea!

I might have to try that.

Beautiful photos, too! :)

Debra said...

Nessa! What a great idea! Also? Eva is an absolute doll!