Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Carrot Cake Oatmeal

Carrot cake lovers, this one is for you! Refined-sugar free and packed with carrots, this baked oatmeal has all the taste of the popular dessert with a healthier whole-grain twist. Try it for a lazy weekend breakfast and enjoy the leftovers in the days to come. I love this served with a dollop of my coconut whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon. Heck, it even makes a nice snack or dessert too. Actually, there isn't a time of the day when I won't eat this oatmeal. Baked oatmeal isn't just for mornings anymore!  

Yield 6 Servings

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups rolled oats, certified gluten-free if necessary
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon fine grain sea salt

1 1/2 cups lightly packed shredded carrots

2 1/2 cups unsweetened almond milk (or non-dairy milk of choice)
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons freshly grated ginger (or try ½ tsp ground ginger)
1/4 cup raisins
1/2 cup chopped walnut halves.

***

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375F and lightly grease a 10-cup/2 1/2 qt. casserole dish. I used an 8" x 11" rectangular casserole dish.

In a large bowl, mix together the rolled oats, cinnamon, baking powder, and salt.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the wet ingredients: shredded carrot, almond milk, maple syrup, vanilla, and fresh ginger.

Add the wet mixture to dry mixture and stir until combined.

Pour mixture into prepared dish and smooth out with a spoon. Press down on the oatmeal with a spoon (or your hands) so the oats sink into the milk. Sprinkle on the walnuts and raisins and press down lightly again.

Bake, uncovered, for 32-37 minutes (I baked for 35 mins.) until lightly golden along edge. The oatmeal will still look a bit soft or wet in some spots when it comes out of the oven, but it will firm up as it cools.

Let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Garnish with Coconut Whipped Cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, or some non-dairy yogurt. When the baked oatmeal is fully cool, it will firm up enough to be sliced into squares.

Leftovers should keep for 3 days or so in the fridge or up to 2 weeks in the freezer. This is merely a guess because we tend to demolish all leftovers within a day. Enjoy it warm, at room temp, or chilled straight from the fridge.

Notes: For a nut-free option replace the almond milk with a nut-free non-dairy milk, such as coconut milk. Omit the walnuts (you can try sunflower seeds or pepita seeds for a crunch).

Read more: http://ohsheglows.com/2014/03/19/heavenly-carrot-cake-baked-oatmeal/#ixzz2zfvqgZ00