Baked Oatmeal Cups

I am over-the-moon excited about the upcoming wedding of my son and his soul mate.  There are still some wedding plans to be made and details to be ironed out but that all pales in comparison to the joy that I feel that these kindred spirits will be united in marriage in just a few short months.  We're having a wedding!!!

Despite my extensive and exhaustive mother-of-the-groom dress search that has consumed most of my free time over the last 6 months, the wedding didn't really seem real until I attended their first bridal shower a couple of weekends ago.  To say that it was momentous would be an understatement.   

The day of the shower was a day that I will not soon forget.  So many of the people that have had an influence on the life of my first born were in attendance.  The people that impacted his life when he was a young, rambunctious child and those that knew him as an enthusiastic teenager gathered together to bless this precious couple.  I feel so lucky that the people that I consider my dearest friends, love my children so well.  

Two of my very sweet friends hosted the shower just down the street from me so my house became the staging area for the out-of-town shower guests who arrived prior to the afternoon shower.  We nibbled on breakfast snacks and caught up with friends while we eagerly awaited the big event.  I was under strict instructions NOT to overfeed anyone before the shower because the hosts wanted hungry guests that would eat up all of the delicious food that they had prepared.  😂

I've declared my love for make ahead breakfast treats before but on days when I have breakfast guests, they are absolutely imperative.   I made these Baked Oatmeal Cups a couple of days before the day of the shower and I put them in my freezer so there was minimal preparation time on the day of the big celebration.   These granola cups freeze beautifully and they are perfect to serve to guests because they can be customized.  I served my Baked Oatmeal Cups alongside bowls of fruit, chocolate chips, coconut, fresh berries and almonds.  Healthier than a waffle bar but it was just as much fun to see what kind of creations people make out of their baked granola cup.   

Baked Oatmeal Cups
3 cups old fashioned oats
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
1/2 cup applesauce
1 1/2 cups milk
2 large eggs
2 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract

Stir together oats, baking powder, cinnamon and brown sugar.

Whisk together applesauce, milk, eggs, butter and vanilla.

Stir wet ingredients into dry ingredients.  

​Divide mixture among 12 greased muffin cups.  

Cover pan with plastic wrap and ​let sit overnight in the refrigerator.  ​​Bake 25-30 minutes at 350.

Let cool in the pan 5 minutes before removing. 

Top with your favorite toppings.  (fruit, chocolate chips, coconut, syrup)

I don't quite know how to thank my dear friends for hosting such a beautiful shower and everyone who took the time to come and celebrate with us.  Just know that you are all loved and I deeply appreciate the influence that each and every one of you has had on the lives of this couple.  

Ciao!

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