Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
on Feb 25, 2024, Updated Aug 01, 2024
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If you love carrot cake then you have to make this carrot cake baked oatmeal! Drizzle it with maple cream cheese glaze and enjoy this dessert inspired breakfast!
Looking for another carrot cake inspired breakfast? Make my oatmeal carrot cake bread or carrot cake muffins.
This post has been updated since it was originally published on 4/3/2017
Table of Contents
- Why you’ll love it
- The ingredients
- How to make carrot cake baked oatmeal
- How to make maple cream cheese glaze
- How to make carrot cake oatmeal cups
- Substitutions and variations
- Storage and Leftovers
- Can quick cooking oats be used for baked oatmeal?
- More oatmeal recipes
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze Recipe
Why you’ll love it
Easter brunch – Carrot cake and Easter are synonymous. What better way to incorporate it into Easter morning brunch than to make this carrot cake baked oatmeal.
Make ahead – Since baked oatmeal keeps for up to 5 days in the refrigerator, it’s a great option to make on a Sunday and enjoy throughout the week.
Healthy breakfast or snack – Oats are a great source of fiber, which helps you feel satisfied longer. Not to mention, we could all use a little more fiber. Add a spoonful of nut butter on top along with the cream cheese glaze for additional protein and fat.
The ingredients
- Rolled oats – Also called old fashioned oats. Use gluten-free oats to make this recipe gluten-free.
- Cinnamon and ground ginger – Spices commonly used in carrot cake.
- Baking powder – Helps the baked oatmeal rise.
- Salt – A little salt enhances the flavor of the oats.
- Milk – Dairy or dairy-free milk can be used. I used unsweetened vanilla almond milk.
- Egg – Acts as a binder for the baked oatmeal.
- Maple syrup – Sweetener for the oatmeal and glaze. Honey can also be used.
- Vanilla extract – Try vanilla bean paste for an extra intense vanilla flavor.
- Carrots – Freshly grated carrots will give you the best flavor.
- Walnuts – Toast the walnuts for the best flavor.
- Dried cranberries – Sweet and tart. For a more traditional option, use raisins.
- Greek yogurt – Used in the cream cheese glaze.
How to make carrot cake baked oatmeal
In a large bowl whisk together the milk, egg, maple syrup, and vanilla. Add in the spices, salt, and baking powder and whisk again.
To the wet ingredients, add in the oats, shredded carrots, walnuts, and dried cranberries. Stir everything together until combined.
Pour the mixture into an 8×8 or similar size baking dish sprayed with cooking oil. Bake at 350° F. for 40-45 minutes or until the oatmeal is set and golden brown around the edges.
Let the oatmeal cool for at least 10-15 minutes before drizzling on the maple cream cheese glaze and cutting into it.
How to make maple cream cheese glaze
In a small bowl combine the cream cheese, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, milk, and a pinch of salt. Whisk everything together until smooth and creamy.
The consistency should be thin enough that it can be drizzled on top of the baked oatmeal. If it’s too thick add a splash of milk.
How to make carrot cake oatmeal cups
If you want to make baked oatmeal cups, simply take the oatmeal mixture and divide it into a standard size muffin pan sprayed with oil. You can also use parchment paper liners or silicone muffin cups. Check the oatmeal cups at 20 minutes to see if they are set and golden brown.
Substitutions and variations
- Substitute walnuts with pecans.
- Dried cranberries can be swapped with raisins or any dried fruit that you like.
- Add 1/4-1/3 cup toasted shredded coconut.
- Make it dairy-free by using almond milk or oat milk and omitting the glaze.
Storage and Leftovers
Storage – The baked oatmeal will keep in the refrigerator for up to 5 days in an airtight container.
Freezing – Baked oatmeal is freezer-friendly and can be frozen for up to 3 months. If you plan to freeze this carrot cake version, freeze it without the glaze drizzled on top.
Reheating – Baked oatmeal can be reheated in the microwave for 30 second intervals until warm. If you’re reheating the entire dish, I suggest reheating it in the oven. Cover with foil and bake at 350° F. for 10-15 minutes or until it’s warmed through.
Can quick cooking oats be used for baked oatmeal?
No. For this recipe they won’t work and will turn out mushy. There are baked oatmeal recipes that call for quick oats, but the ingredients and cooking time will be different.
More oatmeal recipes
Did you make this carrot cake baked oatmeal with maple cream cheese glaze? I’d love if you’d leave a recipe rating and review below.
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal with Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 3/4 cup milk of choice
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup grated carrots
- 1/4 cup toasted walnuts chopped
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 3 tablespoons plain Greek yogurt
- 2 1/2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal
- Preheat oven to 350° F. and spray an 8x8 or similar sized baking dish with cooking oil.
- In a large bowl whisk together the milk, maple syrup, egg and vanilla. Add the cinnamon, ginger, salt, and baking powder to the mixture and whisk until incorporated.
- Add in the oats, carrots, walnuts, and dried cranberries and stir together.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared baking dish and bake for 40-45 minutes or until lightly browned and set. Let the oatmeal cool for 10 minutes before topping with the glaze and cutting into it.
- Maple Cream Cheese Glaze
- In a small bowl whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Could protein powder be added to boost the protein content? Maybe would just need a bit more milk?
Yes. You can add a scoop of protein powder. You shouldn’t need to add more milk, but if the protein powder is sweetened I suggest using less maple syrup.
Do you have to cook this longer if you assemble it the night before and refrigerate?
You may need to bake it a little longer since it will be going into the oven cold. I would let it sit out on the counter for 30 minutes if possible before baking it. Bake it until the recipe recommends, check for doneness and if needed bake another 5 minutes or until it’s set and golden brown around the edges.
You had me at “maple cream cheese.” :)
I can’t believe I’ve never tried baked oatmeal before. This looks incredible! Thanks for the inspiration!
– MAK