Easy Pumpkin Spice Oatmeal

      This easy pumpkin spice oatmeal recipe is a fast and hearty breakfast that my kids ask for repeatedly during the fall and winter months.  It is also an excellent recipe for nursing mothers as it helps keep milk supply up and packs a real nutritional punch.

Oddly enough, I am not a fan of pumpkin pie, but I love all things pumpkin spice – Pumpkin Spice Coffee Creamer, Pumpkin Spice Pancakes, and pretty much any iced pastry with “Pumpkin Spice” in the title.

This is my go-to breakfast in the cold weather months.  Oatmeal is already a healthy, hearty breakfast, and the pumpkin and molasses both add an extra kick of vitamins and minerals.

The recipe below is for one bowl (great for before school/work).  You can also multiply everything by 4 (or whatever number you want) and make it in a crock pot.  Also please note that the amounts for Oatmeal and Water will vary based on the kind of oatmeal you use; I use a mixture that is 1/2 steel cut oats and 1/2 muesli mix.

Ingredients
1/4 cup dried oats
1/3 cup water
—–
3 tbsp pumpkin puree
1 tbsp blackstrap molasses*
1 tsp real maple syrup*
1/2 tsp cinnamon*
1/4 tsp allspice*
1/4 tsp ginger*
1/8 tsp cloves*

* SUBSTITUTIONS:
– You can substitute the cinnamon, allspice, ginger, and cloves for 1 tsp “pumpkin pie spice,” but watch out for added preservatives.  I make my own (in roughly the proportions listed above).
– You can substitute brown sugar for the molasses and/or the maple syrup, but the flavor won’t be quite as perfect.  Also, if you subtract the molasses, you’re losing an excellent source of iron, calcium, manganese, and copper.

Directions
1.  Mix the oats and water in a microwave-safe bowl.2.  Microwave for 3 minutes.  Stir.  Add an additional tbsp water if necessary.  Microwave for one more minute.
–OR–
1.  Prepare one bowl of plain, unsweetened oatmeal according to package directions.
2.  Stir in the pumpkin, molasses, syrup, and spices.
3.  Serve and enjoy!

Stay warm, friends!