Baked Coconut Oatmeal

I am not a bandwagon type of girl.  I'm more of a "I'm not going to do specifically because everyone else is".  But, sometimes I get sucked in, too.  I was on Pinterest and found this recipe for a single-serving baked oatmeal that "tastes just like an almond joy".  Vegan.  Healthy.  Oooeey, goooey. 

So, I made it. 

looks yummy, doesn't it?

So, as my oatmeal was baking, I was busy cleaning my house.  As the aroma filled my increasingly cleaner house, I was convincing myself that my attitudes about vegan baking were already changing.  Now, I should preface this by saying that I fudged a little on the ingredients (using milk).  Also, I'm pretty sure I have a sinus infection, so my smell and taste are a little off.  After snapping a few quick picks, I covered my "almond joy oatmeal" with some milk and dug in.  Not good my friends, not good at all. 

It was okay - not the worst thing I've ever made, but I think I'll just stick with good "old-fashioned ingredients" (butter, sugar, dairy, unbleached all-purpose flour).  We are very blessed to not suffer from any food allergies or digestive issues - so this makes my decision easier.  I have tried [one too many times] to make our baked goods healthier.  I'm sorry everyone - you will will not find beets, agave, semolina flour, or anything unusual hiding in my baking recipes.  I feel like when I bake for my family, I want it to be a treat - a splurge, a reward for eating a healthy dinner. 

I'm back off the bandwagon - that I was on for the 25 minutes my oatmeal was baking.