If breakfast could taste like dessert, wouldn’t mornings be incredibly exciting? Imagine waking up to the intoxicating aroma of a freshly baked carrot cake. But instead of a calorie-laden cake slice, you get to relish a healthy, nutritious bowl of Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal. This unique breakfast dish captures all the delightful flavors of a classic dessert, making your morning mealtime an indulgent experience.
The Magic of Oatmeal
Oatmeal, a humble ingredient, can transform into a feast when baked and flavored right. The traditional oatmeal recipes have evolved drastically, and today, they can cater to an array of taste buds. One such incredible metamorphosis is the Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal.
Savor the Dessert for Breakfast
This innovative recipe infuses the exotic flavors of a traditional carrot cake into a wholesome bowl of baked oatmeal. Rich in fiber and abundant in nutrients, it’s the perfect way to start your day. With a dash of vanilla yogurt in place of cream cheese frosting, it’s a dessert you can devour without any guilt.
The Recipe Mastermind
The brains behind this fascinating recipe is Amanda Holstein. Her love for baking ignited at the tender age of six and continued to blaze through her culinary school years and numerous bakery stints. She has a decade-long experience working at renowned restaurants and bakeries in Orlando, Florida, where she crafted delectable desserts and contributed to dinner events. Her current role as a test kitchen assistant at Dotdash Meredith allows her to explore and innovate with food.
The Recipe Testing
The recipe was put to the test by Amanda Stanfield, a Test Kitchen assistant at the Dotdash Meredith Food Studios. With her vast culinary experience and passion for food, she ensures that the recipes are perfect before they reach your kitchen.
The Recipe Approval
The final nod to the recipe comes from the dietitian Emily Lachtrupp, M.S., RD, who ensures that the dish is not only flavorful but also nutritionally balanced.
Getting Started
The recipe requires an active time of 10 minutes and a total time of about an hour. It yields six servings, making it perfect for a family breakfast or a weekend brunch with friends.
The Ingredients
To prepare this oatmeal dish, you will need:
- 2 cups of whole milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract
- 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
- 1/4 teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- 2 cups of old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup of raisins
- 1/4 cup of matchstick carrots
- 1/3 cup of unsweetened flaked coconut
- 1/3 cup of chopped pecans
- 1/2 cup of reduced-fat vanilla strained (Greek-style) yogurt
The Preparation
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Then, lightly coat an 8-inch-square baking dish with cooking spray.
- In the prepared dish, combine milk, egg, maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon, baking powder, ginger, salt, and nutmeg. Whisk them well until they combine.
- Evenly sprinkle oats, raisins, carrots, coconut, and pecans over the milk mixture. Stir them well until they are well coated.
- Bake the dish until the oatmeal is just set in the center, and the top turns golden brown. This should take about 45 to 50 minutes.
- Once baked, transfer the dish to a wire rack and let it cool for about 5 minutes before serving.
- Serve each portion with about 1 tablespoon of yogurt as a delicious topping.
Meal Prep Tips
This baked oatmeal can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 2 months. You can cut it into individual portions and reheat as needed.
Nutritional Breakdown
Each serving of this baked oatmeal gives you:
- 364 Calories
- 12g Fat
- 56g Carbs
- 10g Protein
Reviews
This Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal has garnered praise from food lovers. The heartwarming dish is great for breakfast or even as a snack. The balance of warming spices and natural sweetness from the maple syrup and raisins makes it a hit among all age groups.
So, why wait? Turn your regular breakfast into a delightful indulgence with this Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal. It’s the perfect way to start your day on a sweet note!
