1. 1. Preheat and Prepare: Begin by preheating your oven to 375 F (190 C). Lightly grease an 8×8 inch baking dish with cooking spray or a little butter to prevent sticking. This ensures easy removal of your oat bake later.

2. 2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, optional ground cloves, and salt. Stir these dry ingredients together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.

3. 3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the unsweetened applesauce, maple syrup, vanilla extract, eggs, and milk until well combined and smooth. This creates the liquid base for your oat mixture.

4. 4. Combine and Add Apples: Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the bowl with the dry oat mixture. Stir until everything is just combined. Then, gently fold in the diced apples. Make sure the apples are evenly distributed throughout the oat mixture.

5. 5. Assemble the Crisp Topping: In a small bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and all-purpose flour. Stir with a fork until the mixture forms coarse crumbs. This will create that delightful crisp texture on top of your bake.

6. 6. Bake the Oat Bake: Pour the oat and apple mixture into your prepared baking dish, spreading it evenly. Sprinkle the crisp topping evenly over the entire surface of the oat mixture.

7. 7. Bake Until Golden: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 30-35 minutes, or until the oats are set, the apples are tender, and the crisp topping is golden brown and bubbly. You’ll know it’s done when a knife inserted into the center comes out mostly clean, and the edges are firm.

8. 8. Cool and Serve: Remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for about 5-10 minutes before serving. This allows the oat bake to set up a bit more, making it easier to cut and serve.