Recipes for a Good Morning

     Happy Friday everyone!  Today I want to share with you two breakfast items that are extremely yummy!  The first is a DIY Mocha Frappuccino that'll save you plenty of $$$ if you're like me and addicted to those little 4-packs of Fraps you can get at most grocery stores.  These are yummy, but very sweet, so feel free to play around with the sugar amounts if you have less of a sweet tooth.

Hmmm....morning bliss :-)

Here's what you'll need:
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup condensed milk
10 cups brewed coffee (I use Community Dark Roast, but you can use your favorite blend)

Brew coffee to your liking.  This can be as strong as you want, so just do your thing ;-) While the coffee is brewing, pour sugars and condensed milk into a 2-quart pitcher.  Pour freshly brewed coffee over it, and stir well.  Let sit in the fridge over night, and enjoy the next morning.

  I could not have made this at a better time.  I couldn't sleep last night, so I was awake until 2 am playing Words with Friends with a relentless partner who would not admit defeat.  Then I was awoken at about 7 am by a restless pup who had eaten his entire bed (again) and wanted out of his kennel.  Then I came downstairs and saw this in the fridge, and the world was sunny and bright once more :-)

Then next recipe I want to share is much better for you, and tastes just as good :-)  This is another Pinterest find: Baked Oatmeal.

This is the perfect recipe for a Sunday brunch or if you have a large family.  It was so good; I can't wait to make it again.

So here's what you'll need:

• 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
• 1/3 cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• 1 teaspoon Chinese five spice
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup walnut pieces, chopped
• 1 cup sliced strawberries
• 1/3 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 2 cups milk
• 1 large egg
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ripe banana, peeled, 1/2-inch slices

Preheat oven to 375°F and generously spray the inside of a 10-1/2 by 7 inch baking dish with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet.

1. In a large bowl, mix together the oats, sugar, baking powder, orange zest, Chinese five spice, salt, half the walnuts, half the strawberries and half the chocolate. (Save the other half of strawberries, walnuts and chocolate for the top of the oatmeal). In another large bowl, whisk together the milk, egg, butter and vanilla extract.
2. Add the oat mixture to prepared baking dish. Arrange the remaining strawberries, walnuts and chocolate on top. Add the banana slices to the top then pour the milk mixture over everything. Gently shimmy/shake the baking dish to help the milk mixture go throughout the oats.