Baked Oatmeal with Berries and Bananas

Allison served this at a family breakfast a little over a week ago, and I had to have the recipe right away. I've had several different baked oatmeals before, and while I have liked them all, I love this one. Today I woke up before most of the kids (thanks, Lissy), so we'll have breakfast at a decent time once it's out. However, I think a better way to do this is to whip it up, then put it in the fridge and pop it in the oven the next morning. I love things that are both healthy and yummy! (Add health by adding in a little ground flax, decrease health by covering with buttermilk syrup.)

2 c. old fashioned oats

1 t. baking powder

1 ½ t. cinnamon

¼ c. brown sugar

¼ c. chopped pecans

½ t. salt

1 ½ T melted butter

1 egg

2 t. vanilla

2 c. milk

2 ripe bananas, split lengthwise and sliced

1 c. frozen berries (I use the triple berry blend from sam’s/costco)

Optional topping:

¼ c. chopped pecans

½ c. frozen berries

1.Preheat oven to 350. Mix first six ingredients in one bowl, set aside.

2.In microwaveable bowl, melt butter. Whisk in the egg. Once incorporated, add vanilla and milk, whisk to combine. Set aside.

3.Spray an 8x8 pan with nonstick spray. Put in layers: sliced bananas, then berries, then oat mixture, then pour milk mixture over the top of it all. Give it a nice thwack on the counter to make sure it all soaks in. At this point you can refrigerate it overnight and bake it in the morning.

4. Optional: top oats with nuts and berries before baking.

5. Bake 35-45 min or until oats are set. Serve with maple syrup or whatever unhealthy delicious concoction you can muster up. I love it with that buttermilk syrup.

(p.s. I would like the optional topping, but have never made it and it's still good.)