It's Never too Late for Pumpkin

Pumpkin and oats, oats and pumpkin. 

It's been a cold, rainy day in North Cackalacky. Pumpkin is so comforting and warming that I couldn't resist bringing it back out, even though it's April. Since I'm on spring break, I had the luxury of baking a hot breakfast and a crunchy afternoon snack.

Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal

adapted from http://www.katheats.com/recipage?recipe_id=6034726

I've been wanting to try this for a long time, and honestly, I shouldn't have put it off. I'm thinking that it might even work to assemble this the night before for a more porridge-like consistency once baked. Remember that it shouldn't be completely dry when you take it out of the oven: it is oatmeal after all!

Times:

1. Mix.
2. Bake.
3. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups oats
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 egg
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 1 cup pumpkin puree
• 1 teaspoon maple extract
• 1 - 2 tablespoons flax meal
• 1/4 cup whole pecans

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Mix together dry ingredients, except flax meal and pecans, in a medium bowl. Whisk together wet ingredients in a large measuring cup. Add wet to dry.

2) Pour into a greased pan, approximately the volume of an 8x8. Sprinkle with flax seed and arrange pecans over the top. Bake for 30 minutes.

Serve by itself or with a bit of milk poured over it, if you like a soupier texture.

~~~~~~

Pumpkin Granola Clusters

inspired by http://goboldwithbutter.com/?p=1982

It is crunchy, solid and pumpkin-y without apology. Not for the faint of heart or those with preconceptions of cookie-like granola. 

Time:

1. Mix.
2. Bake.
3. Cool.
4. Enjoy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats
• 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 tablespoon flax meal
• 1/4 cup pumpkin puree, heaping
• 1/2 teaspoon maple extract
• 1/4 cup pecans, chopped

Instructions:

1) Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Spread on a baking sheet. Cook for 30-40 minutes until browned. 

2) Add in nuts, if using, before the last 10 minutes of baking. It probably won't be completely crunchy at this point--it has to cool first. 

Serve over yogurt or in milk.