Homemade Oatmeal Packets

Homemade Oatmeal Packets

I've been getting into Pinterest more (my one sister can attest to that), and I love the money saving tips and tricks I come across, and this was one of them, since our family LOVES oatmeal.

Quick, easy, cheap, and filling too! Plus, we don't go through a gallon of milk a day if it were dry cereal.

I've found many different recipes and this is the one we come up with. Simple, easy, and cheap!

• ½C Quick Oats
• 1 tsp Powdered Milk or Powdered Creamer
• 2 Tbl Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Cinnamon
• 1 pinch Salt

We usually do an assembly line processes since we have so many hands so it goes kind of quick. But our canister of oats can make up to about 30 packets of oatmeal. I store them in a shoe box next to the microwave with the directions on the box JIC a kid forgets what to do.

To cook, add 1 packet into a bowl with at least ½C of Water Depending on the consistency you like you can add a couple of tablespoons more water for a thinner oatmeal. My kids vary, and it really doesn't matter. As long as it's about a 1:1 ratio of oats to water it should turn out fine. Adding extra water helps thin it out and I like mine a bit more thin compared the kids.

Place in the microwave on high for 1 minute. Stir, and add whatever extras you want - dried fruits, fresh fruits, nuts, honey, jams, jellies, etc etc etc - use your imagination.

My oats cost about $2.19, my brown sugar is $1.49. Creamer is cheaper than powdered milk, but I usually keep that in my house as a staple now, but factor in maybe $1-$2 for the added milk and I get 30 packets for $4.68-$5.68 which breaks down to .16¢ - .19¢ a packet, compared to the pre-packaged stuff for about $2.99-$3.99 and you only get 6 packets which = 50¢ - 67¢ a packet and you've just saved yourself a BUNCH of money. Especially if you are feeding a family of 10!

Taking the conservative numbers $4.68 for 30 packets vs $14.95 for 30 packets - store bought. You've saved $10.27!!

I can deal with that!

*Now some people have posted that they run their oats through a blender or food processor to make the oats more fine, but we have not had a problem with using straight from the canister.*

Pumpkin Spice Dump Cake

Pumpkin Spice cake with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

1 box - Spice Cake mix

1- 15oz can of pumpkin

2- stick melted butter

-I also added a couple dashes of Pumpkin Pie Spice *optional*

Mix well, put into a 9x13 pan (was thick so you'd have to spread it), and bake at 350º for about 20 mins, or until done (clean knife & all)

4oz cream cheese

½ Cup butter (1 stick) softened

1tsp Vanilla

1 tsp cinnamon

2½+ cps of powdered sugar - (add until you get the flavor & consistency you want)

Cream together.

This is a super moist and delicious cake. Served warm is best but yuo really can not go wrong with it at ANY temperature!

Enjoy!

Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Dip

It's actually a cookie "dough" type dip you can EAT guilt free . . ish. It's a dip without eggs and is delicious! It’s also great because it’s gluten free.

Ingredients:
1/2 cup butter
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 8-ounce block of cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 cups chocolate chips
Fruit, cookies, crackers -- whatever you want to serve this with

Instructions:
1. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add brown sugar and whisk until sugar dissolves and mixture starts to bubble. Set aside to cool, and whisk in vanilla.

2. Cream together cream cheese and powdered sugar for 60 seconds. With mixer on low speed, add in brown sugar and butter mixture. Mix until combined. Fold in the chocolate chips.

3. Garnish with additional chopped chocolate. Serve with fruit, cookies, crackers, pretzels, or just a spoon.