Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares

It has been about three weeks since my last post. In that time I have celebrated my birthday, Christmas, and the New Year. I have enjoyed my break from the classroom and although I could always use more rest I am excited to go back to teaching. The past three weeks have whizzed by, but I am glad to be back here as well!

Since 2015 is here and 2014 is gone, I wanted to share with you some of the highlights of the past year here at Secrets of A Young Wife. I started this blog back in August of 2014 (so technically, I haven’t even been blogging the a whole year). The most popular post has been Better than Restaurant Ranch. That was my first post and that ranch dressing is a go to in my house and I am glad to find others love it as well. The second most popular post being Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer. A coffee creamer that is good in any season. As my WordPress annual report states, most of you seem to find my blog through Google search or on Facebook. If you haven’t liked my page on Facebook yet, I would love to have you join me there as well! I have been moved by all the support I have received in this blogging journey and I am so touched every time I get to meet someone new. Thank you all for your support this past year, I am looking forward to 2015!

Speaking of the new year, I feel that 2015 has already kicked us in to high gear. Preparing to go back to school, I wanted to make some quick breakfast options to eat on the go. My husband and I both have busy schedules and meals are often eaten on the run. A while back we tried Nature Valley Cinnamon Brown Sugar Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares. The name is a mouthful and the little oatmeal squares are a mouthful of deliciousness. They are a fantastic breakfast on the go or a great mid-morning snack. I wanted to reproduce the recipe at home and found a delicious copycat recipe from Pinterest on Chelsea’s Messy Apron.

The recipe is simple and is a good copycat. You can also adapt the recipe easily to make a variety of Oatmeal Square flavors. I have added dried cranberries, sliced almonds, and mini chocolate chips. The addition options are endless. Make sure you store these baked gems in an air tight container so they stay moist and don’t dry out. These are such a great breakfast for a busy morning, but they are also just as yummy snuggled up on the couch.

Cinnamon Brown Sugar Soft-Baked Oatmeal Squares

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup oat flour *
3/4 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon cinnamon, or more to taste
1/2 cup brown sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 cup milk
1 large egg

* Instead of using oat flour, I grind up the old fashioned oats in my food processor (or high speed blender) to make the oat flour. You can either purchase the oat flour or make your own.

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray an 8 x 8 baking pan. In mixer combine the vanilla extract, milk, and a large egg. Next to the mixer add the oats, oat flour, flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and brown sugar in a large bowl. Mix until combined. Make sure not to over mix. The mixture is very thick. Press the mixture into a prepared pan. Press mixture in the pan until it is evenly spread throughout. Bake for approximately 15-18 minutes or until the center is slightly inflated and the edges are lightly browned.

Adapted from Chelsea’s Messy Apron