Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable Version)
Cozy spiced oatmeal with grated carrots, warm cinnamon, and maple sweetness baked to golden perfection.
# What You Need:
→ Grains
01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 1/2 cups finely grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
→ Dairy & Eggs
04 - 2 large eggs
05 - 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy alternative)
→ Sweeteners
06 - 1/3 cup pure maple syrup (or honey)
→ Fats
07 - 1/4 cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
→ Fruits
08 - 1/2 cup raisins (optional)
→ Spices & Leavening
09 - 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
10 - 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
11 - 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
12 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
14 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
15 - 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9x9-inch baking dish with butter or coconut oil to prevent sticking.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla extract until fully blended and smooth.
03 - Add the finely grated carrots to the wet mixture and stir until evenly distributed throughout.
04 - Stir in the rolled oats, baking powder, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and salt. Mix until all dry ingredients are thoroughly incorporated and no dry pockets remain.
05 - Gently fold in the chopped walnuts and raisins, if using, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.
06 - Pour the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish and spread it into an even layer using a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the top is golden brown and the center is firmly set. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
08 - Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for 5 to 10 minutes before slicing into portions. Serve warm, topped with yogurt, additional nuts, or a drizzle of maple syrup if desired.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- It gives you all the comfort of carrot cake without requiring a stand mixer, cream cheese frosting, or any real patience.
- Leftovers reheat beautifully, so Monday morning you will have something to look forward to.
02 -
- Do not skip greasing the dish, baked oatmeal clings stubbornly to ungreased pans and you will lose half of it to the bottom.
- The bake will continue to set as it cools, so if it looks slightly jiggly in the very center when you pull it out, that is perfectly fine.
03 -
- Grate the carrots on the finest holes of your box grater so they virtually disappear into the bake, leaving moisture and sweetness without any stringy texture.
- Let the melted coconut oil cool slightly before adding it to the eggs so you do not accidentally scramble them, a mistake I have made more times than I care to admit.