Baked Apple Oatmeal

This is one of my new breakfast favorites! Our family has always been split on oatmeal; I have 3 that love it, one that tolerates it, and one that can hardly stand it. But it's so good, full of fiber, and inexpensive that I've kept it as a standard part of our breakfast. But, this was a winner all the way around. Even my oatmeal-hater loved it! It actually tasted a bit like apple crisp and it was easy to throw together the night before.

1/2 c. vegetable oil (although I used a light olive oil)
1/3 c. brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 t. vanilla
milk
2 c. old fashioned oats
1/4 t. salt
1/2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. cinnamon
1 coarsely chopped, tart apple with skin (Rome, Granny Smith, Gala, or Empire)
1/2 c. dried fruit (raisins, cherries, cranberries)
1/2 c. coarsely chopped, unsalted nuts (pecans or walnuts, not peanuts)...optional



In a 2-cup measuring cup, mix oil, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla. Whip until well blended. Then fill measuring cup to the top (a full two cups) with milk and set aside. In a large bowl mix oats, salt, baking powder, and cinnamon. Stir with fork, then add apple, dried fruit and nuts. Pour wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir, then pour entire mixture into an 8x8 or 9x9 buttered baking dish. Cover and refrigerate 2 hours or overnight. In the morning, bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. May be doubled, put in a 9x13, and baked for 40 minutes.