Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal ~ a tasty, wholesome breakfast recipe featuring rolled oats, grated carrots, coconut oil, and maple syrup, with flavors of the classic dessert.
½cuppecanschopped (plus additional for garnish, if desired)
1cupalmond milkOR whole/2% milk, at room temperature
2eggsat room temperature
½cuppure maple syrup
¼cupcoconut oilmelted and slightly cooled
2teaspoonspure vanilla extract
1 ¼cuppacked grated carrots (about 3 medium carrots)
½cupraisinsoptional
2cupsold-fashioned rolled oats
2teaspoonsground cinnamon
1teaspoonbaking powder
¼teaspoonground nutmeg
¼teaspoonground allspice
¼teaspoonsalt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease or spray with nonstick cooking spray an 8-inch square baking dish.
Spread chopped pecans on an ungreased baking sheet and toast for 4 to 6 minutes or until fragrant and light golden brown. Cool on baking sheet.
In a large bowl, mix together milk, eggs, maple syrup, coconut oil, and vanilla; beat until smooth. Stir in carrots and raisins (if using). Blend in oats, toasted pecans, cinnamon, baking powder, nutmeg, allspice, and salt; stir until mixture is well-combined.
Spread oatmeal into prepared baking dish and bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until set and light golden brown on top. Allow to cool in the baking dish for at least 5 minutes before slicing. Serve warm with optional garnishes: warm milk drizzled over the top, additional toasted pecans, maple syrup, or fresh fruit.
Notes
The reason the milk and eggs should be at room temperate is because if they are cold, they will cause the coconut oil to resolidify. To quickly warm everything up, I usually just put the whole eggs in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes and zap the milk in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.
Feel free to decrease the maple syrup to ¼ cup, if you prefer.
Reheat oatmeal by placing an individual serving on a plate, drizzling with a little milk, and then heating in the microwave for about 30 seconds.