Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable version)
Warm baked oats with grated carrot, raisins and walnuts, spiced with cinnamon—easy, nourishing breakfast for six.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Grains & Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Fruits, Vegetables & Nuts
06 - 1½ cups finely grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
07 - ½ cup raisins or chopped dates
08 - ½ cup chopped walnuts (optional)
→ Wet Ingredients
09 - 2 cups milk (dairy or unsweetened plant-based)
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - ⅓ cup pure maple syrup or honey
12 - 2 tablespoons melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
13 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or nonstick spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - Add the finely grated carrots, raisins, and chopped walnuts to the dry mixture. Toss gently to coat and distribute evenly throughout.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together the milk, eggs, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
05 - Pour the wet mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain a tender texture.
06 - Spread the oatmeal mixture evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing gently to create a uniform layer.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and the top is lightly golden brown. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
08 - Let the baked oatmeal cool for 10 minutes before slicing into portions. Serve warm on its own or topped with a dollop of yogurt.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- It captures everything you crave about carrot cake without the guilt of eating dessert at seven in the morning.
- You can prep it the night before and just slide it into the oven while the coffee brews.
- The texture walks a perfect line between creamy baked oats and a tender, spiced cake.
02 -
- Under grating the carrots leaves chewy shreds that feel out of place, so take the extra minute to grate them as finely as possible.
- The bake will look slightly jiggly in the center when you first pull it out but it sets as it cools so do not overbake waiting for firmness.
03 -
- Let the bake cool completely before covering and refrigerating or trapped steam will make the top soggy.
- Toasting the walnuts in a dry pan for three minutes before adding them deepens their flavor tenfold.