Follow these simple steps to create your delicious and aromatic Oatmeal with Cinnamon Apples:

1. Prepare the Cinnamon Apples:
* Peel, core, and dice your apples into ½-inch pieces. No need to be overly precise, but aim for relatively uniform sizes for even cooking.
* In a medium saucepan or a small skillet, melt the butter (or coconut oil) over medium heat.
* Add the diced apples, 1 tablespoon of the brown sugar (or your chosen sweetener), and 1 teaspoon of the ground cinnamon (reserving ½ teaspoon for the oatmeal). If using, add the pinch of nutmeg or allspice here as well.
* Sauté the apples for 5-8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until they are tender but still hold their shape. They should be slightly softened and coated in a lovely cinnamon-sugar glaze. If they start to stick, you can add a tablespoon of water.
* Once tender, remove the apples from the heat and set them aside. You can transfer them to a bowl to stop the cooking process.

2. Cook the Oatmeal:
* In the same saucepan (no need to clean it if you cooked apples in it, those leftover bits add flavor!) or a different medium saucepan, bring your chosen liquid (water, milk, or a combination) to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
* Once boiling, stir in the rolled oats, the remaining ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon, the salt, and the remaining 1 tablespoon of brown sugar (or sweetener, adjust to taste – you might want less if your apples are very sweet or your milk is sweetened).
* Reduce the heat to low or medium-low, enough to maintain a gentle simmer.
* Cook for 5-7 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent sticking, until the oatmeal has thickened to your desired consistency. For creamier oatmeal, stir more frequently.

3. Combine and Finish:
* Once the oatmeal is cooked, stir in the vanilla extract.
* You have two options here:
* Stir-In Method: Gently fold about two-thirds of the sautéed cinnamon apples into the cooked oatmeal, reserving the rest for topping.
* Topping Method: Ladle the plain cooked oatmeal into bowls and spoon the cinnamon apples generously over the top. This method highlights the apples more distinctly.
* Taste and adjust sweetness if necessary. You might want an extra drizzle of maple syrup or a sprinkle of sugar.

4. Serve Warm:
* Divide the oatmeal with cinnamon apples into bowls.
* Garnish with the reserved cinnamon apples and any additional toppings you desire (see “How to Serve” section for ideas). Enjoy immediately!