Make sure the most important meal of the day is delicious and easy. Custardy baked oatmeal sweetened with applesauce and studded with sweet cherries gets the morning off to a quick, healthy and satisfying start.

Ingredients

• 1-and-1/2 cups unsweetened applesauce
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 3/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 cup nonfat milk
• 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
• 1 generous cup frozen sweet (not pie) cherries, thawed and quartered

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Butter or spray an 8-inch square baking dish.

In a large bowl, whisk together the applesauce, eggs, the extracts, cinnamon, baking powder and salt until combined. Add the milk and whisk until mixture is blended.

Gently stir oats and cherries into the bowl until evenly distributed. Spoon mixture into the prepared pan and bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown on top and firm in the center. Serve hot, or cool, cover and keep refrigerated up to a week, heating portions in the microwave as needed.

Great served with milk or half-and-half, or topped with a dollop of yogurt. For extra sweetness, drizzle with maple syrup or honey.