Baked Oatmeal

Okay, so I know baked oatmeal is a fad, but I'm in. It's good. I've been experimenting for a few months and I think I finally created the perfect baked oatmeal. It's a snack food around our house, and we love it! I think the best thing about it is how versatile it is. It's so easy to substitute different fruits and nuts depending on whats in the house.

2 cups rolled oats
3 Tbsp chia seeds (optional)
1/4 cup ground flax seeds (optional)
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 cup brown sugar or honey
4 Tbsp butter, melted
2 cups milk
1 egg, beaten
2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup toasted chopped almonds
1/2 cup chopped dates
1 chopped apple

Mix oats, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon. Add next 5 ingredients, then stir well. Stir in fruit and nuts. Pour into buttered 8x8 baking pan and bake at 350 degrees for 35-40 minutes, until set. Serve as is, or with cream.