Pumpkin Pie Boatmeal (Baked Oatmeal)

This recipe came from a blog that my friend Teresa recommended I check out. The blog is called Chocolate Covered Katie, and it has tons of healthy and delicious looking recipes. (Here is the link to the original recipe, because the author of the blog  has a special request that you link back to her page, which I totally understand.

http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2010/11/10/baked-pumpkin-oatmeal-for-one/)

Teresa tried one of the boatmeals and said it was the best oatmeal she's ever had! I thought this one sounded yummy, so here it is... 

1/2 cup oats

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp cinnamon 

1/8 tsp nutmeg

sweetener, such as 1 1/2 to 2T maple syrup or 1 to 1 1/2 packs stevia

1/4 cup canned pumpkin

1/4 cup milk or creamer or water

1/8 tsp salt

Optional: 1 to 2T oil or favorite nut butter (if oil, scale the milk back a tiny bit)

Optional: raisins, walnuts, brown sugar for the top 

Preheat oven to 380 degrees. 

Combine raw oats, spices, pumpkin, and milk. 

Pour into a small baking pan, 1-cup ramekin, or mini-loaf pan.

Cook for 20 minutes, or more until it gets firm. 

Finally, set your oven to “high broil” for 3 more minutes, or until it reaches desired crispy-ness (or simply just bake longer, but broiling gives it a nice crust).