Start your morning off right with baked oatmeal

Breakfast — it’s the most important meal of the day. For those of us who would rather hit the snooze button one more time, it’s an often-missed start to the morning.

But apparently skipping breakfast has greater consequences than a growling stomach at the office.

A recent Huffington Post article said people who don’t eat breakfast are more likely to be obese, have higher blood-sugar levels, consume more fat and get fewer nutrients including calcium, potassium and fiber. Plus, studies have shown breakfast eaters get a boost in short-term memory and feel more energized throughout the day.

Convincing reasons to eat my Wheaties! For mornings that just don’t leave time to scramble an egg, I recently found — and tweaked — a Taste of Home recipe for the perfect make-ahead breakfast: baked oatmeal.

Fruity Baked Oatmeal

Ingredients
3 cups quick-cooking oats
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 cup fat-free milk
1/2 cup apple sauce
1 cup chopped peeled tart apple
1/2 cup chopped fresh or frozen peaches
1/2 cup fresh or frozen blueberries

Directions

In a large bowl, combine the oats, brown sugar, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Combine the eggs, milk and apple sauce; add to the dry ingredients. Stir in the apple, peaches and blueberries.

Pour into an 8-inch square baking dish coated with cooking spray. Bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean. Cut into squares. Serve with warm milk if desired.

Yield: 9 servings.