Growing up upstate New York visiting the local orchard was one of my favorite things to do on the weekends. The smell of fresh apples simmering on the stove is so nostalgic for me and I have kept the tradition going in my own home. These baked oats are a wonderful way to use applesauce— They are homey and comforting filled with warm, cozy flavors. You can spice these simply with cinnamon but I really love the sweet and spicy flavor of chai spice- a blend of cinnamon, ginger cardamom, nutmeg, allspice and clove. The recipe I’ve shared makes extra, so store it in a jar and use it for cookies, sweet breads and lattes. I’ve added some collagen for a boost of protein- it is flavorless and won’t affect the texture so you can easily leave it out. For me toppings are half the fun. I like something creamy like a splash of milk or a scoop of yogurt. For texture a mix of crunchy walnut nuts and sweet chewy raisins. And since these oats are not too sweet a drizzle of maple syrup!