Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable Version)
A cozy breakfast combining carrot cake flavors with hearty baked oatmeal, perfect for meal prep or brunch.
# What You'll Need:
→ Dry Ingredients
01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt
→ Wet Ingredients
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 cups milk (dairy or non-dairy)
08 - ⅓ cup maple syrup or honey
09 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
→ Add-ins
10 - 1½ cups grated carrots (about 2 medium carrots)
11 - ½ cup walnuts or pecans, chopped
12 - ½ cup raisins
13 - 2 tablespoons unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8×8-inch baking dish with butter or non-stick spray.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, stir together the rolled oats, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk the eggs, milk, maple syrup (or honey), and vanilla extract until smooth and well blended.
04 - Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients and stir gently until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
05 - Gently fold in the grated carrots, chopped nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut (if using) until evenly dispersed throughout the batter.
06 - Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish, spreading it out into an even layer with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35–40 minutes until the center is set and the top is lightly golden. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out clean.
08 - Allow the baked oatmeal to cool for 10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm with a dollop of yogurt or an extra drizzle of maple syrup.
# Expert Hints:
01 -
- You get all the cozy, spiced warmth of carrot cake without spending an hour frosting anything.
- It reheats beautifully, so one baking session covers breakfast for nearly a full work week.
02 -
- Squeezing excess moisture out of the grated carrots before adding them prevents the center from turning soggy.
- Under baking by even five minutes leaves you with a mushy center, so wait until the top springs back lightly when pressed.
03 -
- Grate the carrots on the finest holes of your box grater so they practically disappear into the bake.
- Let the baked oatmeal rest overnight in the fridge before reheating, because the flavors deepen and the texture becomes even more sliceable.