Cavalcade of Cupcakes: Third Stop, A Turn for the Healthful

Welcome to the third and final stop on the 2010 Cavalcade of Cupcakes! The Triple Lemon Heaven cupcakes were rich, tart, and decadent. The rainbow cupcakes were a hit with kids and parents alike, and were also very rich and sweet. Two days of that much sugar demanded something a bit, how do I say this, healthier.

I’ve been baking oatmeal-based breakfast and dessert type snacks for as long as I’ve been nutritionally conscious, so about the last 5 years. I know how much some of us love our bowls of oatmeal in the morning, but not every morning has the time (or desire) to make a batch of stovetop oats, no matter how many people say “just get up 20 minutes earlier!” I’m sorry, I love my sleep!

Since this was the case, I started making baked oatmeal “cookies” and “muffins” as a grab-and-go breakfast option to enjoy in the car on the way to work. Not that I can’t enjoy a bowl of oatmeal in the car (yes I have), it’s just not easy. I’ve recently rediscovered how lovely these breakfasts are, and of course, you can adjust the recipe to suit your tastes. I’m calling these cupcakes, but in all honesty, they’re oatmeal muffins!

Baked Oatmeal “Cupcakes”

Makes 12 “cupcakes”, 3 cupcakes per serving

Divide recipe by 1/4 for a single serving “cookie”.

Ingredients

* 4 c. rolled oats (old-fashioned or quick cooking, NOT instant)

* 2 bananas, mashed

* 4 egg whites

* 1 Tbsp. cinnamon

* 1 tsp. baking powder

* 1/2 c. nonfat milk or yogurt

Directions

Mix all the ingredients together in a large bowl. Allow to sit about 15 minutes for oats to soak up the wet ingredients. Scoop into a 12-hole muffin tin or form into cookies on a sprayed cookie sheet. Bake at 400* until the tops are crispy and cupcakes are firm, about 20 minutes.

One glorious serving of the entire batch

These are satisfying, easy to make, healthy, and DELICIOUS! I loved topping mine with a bit of plain nonfat yogurt and strawberry, though nut butter or actual frosting would be delicious as well.

I hope you’ve enjoyed the Cavalcade of Cupcakes!

I’m glad I thought to make these too, since camp starts again tomorrow and I’ll need easy breakfasts! I have a few guest posts lined up, as well as a cool giveaway, and a couple of easy recipes as well. Many of your favorites from last year will return, including the “Camper quote of the day” and “Wednesdays in Numbers”.

I’m always looking for guest posts as well, so if you’re interested, email me at guest-posts@imadedinner.net with your post and pictures, and it’ll go up on those super-busy-exhausting days.

Have a wonderful rest of your Sunday, and #TGIM!

P.S. Sorry for the lack of Cute Food Saturday yesterday! It was a crazy morning and the day got away from me!

Tagged as: Baking, breakfast, oats, simple recipe