Overnight Oatmeal

Some mornings, I just don't want to get up and cook breakfast. I have pretty much eliminated cereal from our diet, except for granola, so I often feel pressured to feed a bunch of hungry kids, and do it quickly. With this recipe for overnight oats, I can sleep in a little because breakfast is all ready.

Right before you go to bed, put all the ingredients in a crock pot:

2 cups diced apples. No need to peel, but it's up to you.
1 1/2 cups steel cut oats. Don't use rolled or quick oats- it will be too mushy.
1/2- 1 cup of dried fruit (cranberries, raisins, dates, or a combination)
1/3 cup finely chopped nuts
5 cups water
2 t cinnamon
2 t pumpkin pie spice (or any spices that you like)
2 t butter
1/3 cup sweetener of your choice

Stir and cover, and turn the crock pot on low.  When you wake up, breakfast is waiting for you. Just add some milk or cream and maybe a dash of maple syrup.

This serves all 9 of us, and sometimes there are leftovers, but it re-heats nicely.

Let's face it, oatmeal is not very photogenic, but Ellie is! She loves her oatmeal, especially with a dollop of homemade vanilla ice cream on top.

Enjoy and have a good morning!