apple crisp

Ingredients

3 cups apples, peeled, cored and sliced
1 tbsp. flour
4 tsp. cinnamon
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 tsp. nutmeg

For the topping:
3/4 cup oatmeal
3/4 cup flour
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 cup butter, softened

Instructions

1. In a large bowl mix apples with flour, cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg. Pour into ceramic baking dish.
2. Soften butter in microwave.
3. Mix together the dry topping ingredients with the butter using a fork. Pour the topping over the apple mixture.
4. Cover the baking dish and bake at 350 degrees F for 45 minutes. In the last 10 minutes, take off the lid to brown the topping.
5. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

vanilla spice oatmeal

This is a delicious and healthy way to start the day.

Ingredients

3 1/2 cups water
1/4 tsp. salt, optional
2 cups old-fashioned oats
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped (you could also use pecans)
1/4 tsp. vanilla extract
Pinch of nutmeg
2 tbsp. dark brown sugar, plus more, to taste
1 cup low-fat milk, divided
1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, bring the water and salt to a boil. Stir in the oats and raisins, reduce the heat to low and simmer, stirring occasionally, uncovered, for 5 minutes.
2. In the meantime, place nuts, if using, in a dry skillet over a medium-high flame, and toast, stirring frequently, until golden and fragrant, about 5 minutes. Set aside.
3. When the oats are cooked remove pan from the flame and stir in the vanilla and nutmeg. Swirl in the brown sugar and place the oatmeal in serving bowls. Pour 1/4 cup of milk on top of each bowl, and top with toasted nuts and a sprinkle of cinnamon.

*Adapted from Ellie Krieger

banana-oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients

1/2 cup mashed ripe banana (about 1 medium)

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup butter, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1 large egg

5.6 ounces all-purpose flour (about 1 1/4 cups)

2 cups old-fashioned oats

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

cooking spray

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Combine first 5 ingredients in a large bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until smooth. Add egg; beat well.

3. Weigh or lightly spoon flour, oats, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl, stirring with a whisk. Add flour mixture to banana mixture in bowl; beat with mixer at medium speed until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

4. Drop batter by heaping tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart onto a half sheet coated with cooking spray or parchment paper. Bake at 350 degrees for 18 minutes or until golden. Cool on pans 2 minutes. Remove cookies from pans; cool completely on wire racks.

*from Cooking Light