Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

Bites of sweet apples simmered with rolled oats and cinnamon spices, then topped with brown sugar and a pat of butter all added up to a hot breakfast that smelled like apple pie and tasted like fall had arrived. This was an impromptu breakfast one morning, while we were out of town this past weekend. I had arrived at our cabin with several bruised apples and I knew I needed to bake them into something. However, I didn't want the temptation of an apple crisp that I would want to eat in its entirety.

I saw the apples sitting on the counter the next morning as I was starting our oatmeal for breakfast. I quickly diced them and simmered them along with the cooking oatmeal. This turned out so well, the boys requested this again for breakfast the first morning we were back home. I enjoyed this every bit as much as the kids did. I can imagine this becoming a regular addition to our breakfast meals.

Apple Cinnamon Oatmeal

2 cups rolled oats
3 3/4 cups water
3 small sweet apples or 1 1/2 cups apple pieces, diced small
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
dash of nutmeg
1/4 cup, plus 1-2 tablespoons brown sugar, adjust to taste
Butter, a teaspoon or so for on top of each serving
Optional: chopped pecans, just a sprinkling for serving each bowl

Combine the oats, water, apples, cinnamon and nutmeg in a medium size saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, stirring occasionally. As soon as it boils, reduce heat to low and simmer for just a few minutes, until the oats are soft and the apples are tender. Remove from the heat and add brown sugar to taste. The sweeter the apples, the less brown sugar you will need. Scoop into serving bowls and top with butter and pecans if desired. Enjoy!

Click here for printable recipe

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