Baked Banana Oatmeal

Alaina is a huge fan of oatmeal, and so am I.  But just a plain old bowl of oatmeal can be so boring, and I'm always looking for a way to reduce the amount of sugar we take in, and increase the nutrition.  Baked banana oatmeal fits that profile!  When it's finished, the texture is almost like cake-like, which makes it feel like a treat rather than breakfast.

And now....for the recipe:

• 3 bananas,  2 sliced and I mashed (I used a "freezer banana" for the mashed)
• 2 cups rolled oats (NOT QUICK OATS)  I use thick-cut oats, they don't get as mushy.
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 and 1/2 cups milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine dry ingredients.  In a separate bowl, combine the wet ingredients, including the bananas.  For ease of mixing, add the mashed banana first and blend well, then add the sliced bananas.  Add the dry ingredients to the wet and mix thoroughly.

Pour batter into a well greased casserole dish (about an 8x8) and bake for 26 minutes at 375 degrees.  Top with a heaping tablespoon of brown sugar, and turn your oven up to broil for 2-3 minutes.  Then enjoy!

As written, this recipe serves about 4.  But it also reheats great in the microwave, so save the leftovers!