Thursday, January 5, 2012

Blueberry Peach Oatmeal

I have to say that I get really tired of regular old cold cereal day after day. Once in a while I'll make cream of wheat or scrambled eggs for myself and the kids, but most mornings we are really rushed and just don't have time. Even when I do make something like cream of wheat or hot cereal in general, not every child will eat it. They can be so darn picky!




Blueberry Peach Oatmeal is the exception. I serve it hot from the oven with milk and everyone loves it! Even my toddler! Not to mention the brownie points I score with Handsome because it's his fave as well. This is a great recipe because I usually have all the ingredients on hand, even the blueberries. They're the kind that you find in the frozen section at Walmart or any grocery store. I prefer "Dole Wild Blueberries" but any brand will work. I've never tried fresh blueberries but I bet they would be even better! The only downfall to this recipe? It takes 45 minutes to bake so I have to plan ahead.



I really adapted the original recipe to suit my family's tastes (or should I say mine?). If you would like to try the original lighter and healthier version I have included the link.

Blueberry Peach Oatmeal
Taste of Home

3 cups old-fashioned oats
1 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 1/4 cups whole milk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 can (15 ounces) sliced peaches in juice, drained and chopped
1 cup frozen blueberries
1/2 cup chopped walnuts

In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder and salt. Whisk the eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; add to dry ingredients and stir until blended. Let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in peaches and blueberries.

Transfer to an 11-in. x 7-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Sprinkle with walnuts. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 45 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve with milk. 9 servings.



Tuesday, January 3, 2012

New Year, New Blog!

I have many plans for 2012 and this blog is one of them. I attempted a baking blog last year with not much success. So, moving on, I like this new idea for a blog much better and hope to share many fun things!

One of my goals for this new year is to learn how to decorate cookies. I have long admired the skills of women like Sugarbelle, Glorious Treats, Haniela & Cookie Artisan. With all of the supplies that I have to decorate cakes I thought that it would be an easy crossover into cookies. But, do I have the skills? Hmm, we shall see. I plan to make every Tuesday on this blog my "Cookie Tuesday". I will post pictures of the cookies I make each week and hopefully by the end of the year I will have improved!

So! Here is my first ever set of royal icing decorated cookies:















I made them for one of my daughter's friends for her 9th birthday. I didn't have much time to make them so they are pretty simple. They also are itty bitty cookies and I put them in a cute jar with a bow but, of course, I didn't get a picture of that! Oh, well. I was pretty happy with how they turned out!

In case you were wondering, I used recipes from Sugarbelle for the sugar cookies and royal icing. It does take some practice!

Here are the links: