Pumpkin Pie Oatmeal

This is just so delicious...it is worth getting out of bed for!  My kids all loved this!  It has the perfect amount of sweetness and the crunchy sweet top makes this very addicting :)  I adapted this recipe from a great cooking blog called goodlifeeats.com.  If you are a pumpkin fan you will really enjoy this! -Kristin

2 1/3 cups old fashioned oats
2 Tablespoons whole flax seeds, optional
5 T. brown sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 tsp salt
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 T. melted butter
1 1/2 cups milk
1 1/2 pumpkin puree

Topping:
1/2 cup pecans or walnuts, chopped
1 1/2 T. butter, softened
2 Tablespoons brown sugar

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside.
• Combine the oats through salt in a medium sized bowl. Stir well. 
• In a separate bowl, combine the vanilla, butter, pumpkin, and milk. Whisk thoroughly. Pour the pumpkin mixture into the oats. Stir until combined.
• Pour mixture into 9x13 pan. and bake at 375 degrees F for 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the ingredients for the topping: chopped pecans, butter, and brown sugar. 
• After the oatmeal has baked for 15 minutes, remove sprinkle the topping over the oatmeal.
• Bake an additional 10 minutes. Cool for 5 minutes before serving. 
• Top with a splash of milk, if desired.