Gluten Free Baked Oatmeal

I don't know why I have never had baked oatmeal because I grew up eating oatmeal almost every morning.  I have seen various recipes for this all over the internet, and I needed something new & easy to add to our breakfast menu, thus, it was time for "baked oatmeal."  So for those of you, like me, who have never had baked oatmeal, it is like eating a crumbly, less sweet, oatmeal cookie.  This is great with or without milk and of course can be made dairy/soy/nut free.  

Baked Oatmeal

adapted from Our Best Bites

3 c. oats(gluten free & not quick-cooking)

1/2 c. brown sugar

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 c. Craisins, raisins, dried cherries, or other dried fruit(optional, we did it without)

1 c. milk(I used rice milk)

1/4 c. butter, melted 

1/4 c.applesauce

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

Preheat oven to 350. In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, cinnamon, baking powder, salt, and dried fruit. In a smaller bowl, whisk together the milk, butter, vanilla, and eggs. Add the liquid mixture to the dry mixture and stir to combine. Pour into a deep 9″ pie plate or an 8×8″ or 9×9″ baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes or until the top is golden brown. Serve immediately with a splash of warmed milk. Serves 8.

Gluten Free Lemon Bars

The other day as I sat thinking about food, it hit me that I needed to make lemon bars.  I haven't made these for years, but when I thought of the recipe I knew it would be an easy gluten free makeover.  I subbed out the flour, cut out some fat and that is about it!  I wanted them to taste like shortbread so I kept my flours pretty neutral, however, this recipe should be flexible to use whatever flours you like.

Lemon Bars

1/3 c. softened butter

¼ c. tapioca starch

¼ c. millet flour

¼ c. sorghum flour

¼ c. potato starch

½ t. xanthan gum

¼ c. powdered sugar

2 eggs

1 c. sugar

½ t. baking powder

¼ t. salt

2 T. lemon juice

Mix butter, flours & starches, xanthan gum & powdered sugar.  Press into greased 9x9 pan.  Bake at 350 for 20 min.  Meanwhile, in mixer, beat together remaining ingredients until fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Pour over crust and return to oven and bake for 25 min.  Let cool and sprinkle with additional powdered sugar.  Best if refrigerated.

*Easily adaptable to dairy & soy free, just sub out the butter!