Granola

This recipe is so EASY! It is also one of my favorites.  For some reason I am much more fond of brown sugar as a sweetener as opposed to honey.  So maybe that is why this recipe appeals tome.  One way or another, it is so easy and practically fool proof!

The ingredients:

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp. vanilla

2 c. rolled oats

1 c. coconut

The instructions: 

Melt butter then stir in brown sugar.  Add remaining ingredients and pack into a 9X13 inch dish.  Bake in a 325^ oven for 25-40 minutes (depending on how crunchy you want it).  Either cut into bars, or crumble up and put in a large can to use as a snack, or yogurt topping.

((If you want you can also add raisins, flax, bran, nuts, craisins, chocolate chips, etc.))

Oatmeal Cake

This cake is SOOOOO GOOD! I can't even begin to describe it's goodness to you! The flavor of it is quite similar to the frosting of German Chocolate Cake, but without the nuts (which, in my case is a good thing, since I am allergic to them). Thanks for sharing this recipe with me Cynthia!

The ingredients:
Cake:
1 1/2 c. boiling water
1 c. rolled oats (either regular or quick oats)
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1 c. sugar
1/2 c. oil
1 1/2 c. flour
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

Topping:
1 stick (1/2 c.)butter or margarine
1 c. brown sugar, packed
1/2 c. milk
1 c. flake coconut
1 tsp. vanilla extract

The instructions:
Preheat the oven to 350^. Grease and flour a 9 X 9 pan (must be a 9 X 9 NOT 8 X 8). Combine water, and oats in a small bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, combine sugars and oil. Mix well. In another small bowl, combine remaining ingredients w/whisk and add to wet ingredients. Add oats and stir well. Put in pan and wrap pan on counter to remove bubbles. Bake for 35-40 minutes.

15 minutes before cake is done, start making topping. Combine the butter, sugar, and milk in a sauce pan. Boil for 5 minutes. Add coconut and vanilla. Prick warm cake with a fork and pour topping over cake. Let it cool and serve warm.

Oatmeal Bread

I don't know about you, but I am not the best bread maker in the world. In fact, I have a hard time with bread in general. For years if it wasn't a bread machine recipe I wouldn't even attempt it. But recently I went on a domestic kick and decided to try my hand at homemade bread again. I was given a recipe from a lady in my neighborhood (Thanks Natalie) and I decided to give it a whirl. And guess what?! It was WONDERFUL! I now make bread every week (usually on Mondays) and this specific recipe is a family favorite.

The ingredients:
1 c. quick oats (must be quick- not regular)
2 c. boiled water
2/3 c. brown sugar
3 T. oil
2 tsp. salt
2 pkgs. yeast (or 2 Tbs. yeast)
1/3 c. warm water
5 c. white flour (must be white- wheat overpowers the oatmeal)

The instructions:
Pour 2 cups boiling water over the oats. Stir and add brown sugar, oil, and salt. Set aside to cool. Meanwhile, dissolve yeast in 1/3 c warm water. When oatmeal is cooled down to lukewarm, add flour and yeast. Knead in the bowl until well combined. Dough should peel off hands when ready. Rise to double. Divide dough in half. Shape and put in well greased loaf pans. Rise until double. Bake at 350° for 40 minutes.

(This bread is AMAZING! And feel free if you want to, to add some dough enhancer or gluten, but it really doesn't need it...)