apple pie oatmeal with bruleed crust

Breakfast

Apple Pie Oatmeal with Bruleed Crust

Apple Pie Oatmeal with Bruleed Crust is a comforting, spiced oatmeal topped with caramelized, crispy sugar that mimics a brûléed apple pie crust. A warm, indulgent twist on a classic breakfast favorite.

Ingredients

1/2 cup water
2 tablespoons light brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 cup dried cranberries
pinch salt
1 large granny smith apple, peeled, cored and cut into medium dice
2 3/4 cups whole milk
1 cup quick cooking irish oatmeal (recommended: mccann's)
1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
pinch salt
2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Directions

For the apples and cranberries: Combine the water, sugar, cinnamon, cranberries, and salt in a small saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Cook until the sugar is completely dissolved, about 1 minute.
Add the apples, reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring occasionally, until the apples are soft but still retain some of their shape and the mixture has thickened, about 10 minutes. Set aside while you make the oatmeal.
For the oatmeal: Preheat the broiler. Put the milk in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat. Stir in the oatmeal, orange zest, and salt and cook until the mixture thickens, about 2 minutes. Cover and let sit for 2 minutes. The oatmeal should be slightly loose, it will continue to thicken under the broiler.
Divide half of the apple mixture between 2 10-ounce ramekins. Divide half of the oatmeal between the 2 ramekins and spoon on top of the apple mixture. Place the remaining apple mixture on top of the oatmeal then top the apple mixture with the remaining oatmeal. Smooth out the top of the oatmeal and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of the sugar evenly over the top of each.
Place the ramekins on a baking sheet and place until the broiler. Broil until the sugar is golden brown and bubbly and completely melted, about 2 minutes. Remove from the oven and let rest a few minutes before serving.