I like to make this on Christmas morning. It’s easy to throw together, only takes a few minutes to make and the house smells great while it’s baking. I set out different toppings like yogurt, butter and maple syrup, nuts, fruit, chocolate, nut milks and even eggs. Everyone can customize their own bowl. This oatmeal isn’t too sweet but taste ‘special’ and is nice and filling; like pumpkin pie married and oatmeal cookie.

This recipes serves 4 or 5 people, but you can easily double it and bake it in a 9 X 13 pan if you are serving a crowd. Leftovers are great so if you don’t have a crowd, you will have an nice breakfast ready for a couple days.

This baked oatmeal uses any type of roasted orange squash or pumpkin you have. I used kabocha this time I had extra from a soup I made earlier. Here is what  you need to make the oatmeal.

• • 2 cups Old Fashioned Oats or instant or steel cut
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, or just cinnamon if you don’t have pumpkin spice
  • 1 1/2 cups milk regular or any oat or nut milk
  • 1/2 cup roasted squash, any orange squash will work, pumpkin, kabocha, butternut
  • 2 tablespoons maple syrup, agave or honey
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tablespoons melted butter cooled to room temperature (or coconut oil)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/3 cup dried raisins, cranberries or nuts (optional)