Description
Delight in this Vanilla Brown Butter Pear Baked Oatmeal, a comforting and flavorful breakfast that combines the nutty richness of browned butter, sweet ripe pears, and warm cinnamon spices. Perfect for winter mornings or weekend brunch, this baked oatmeal is easy to prepare and offers a wholesome, hearty start to your day with hints of vanilla and a satisfying texture.
Ingredients
Wet ingredients:
- ¼ cup butter
- 2 eggs
- ¼ cup pure maple syrup
- 1 ¾ cups unsweetened almond milk (or any milk of choice)
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Mix-ins:
- 2 small to medium ripe Bartlett pears, diced (about 1 ½ cups diced pears)
Optional:
- ¼ cup finely diced walnuts (or substitute pecans)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan using oil or nonstick cooking spray and set it aside for later use.
- Brown the butter: In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the ¼ cup butter. As it melts, whisk constantly; the butter will begin to crackle and foam. Continue whisking until it turns a golden amber color and releases a nutty aroma, which should take a few minutes. Immediately remove from heat to avoid burning, and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
- Mix wet ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the 2 eggs, ¼ cup pure maple syrup, 1 ¾ cups almond milk, and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Add dry ingredients: To the wet mixture, add 2 cups rolled oats, 1 ½ teaspoons cinnamon, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined.
- Incorporate pears and browned butter: Gently fold in the diced pears (about 1 ½ cups) into the oat mixture, then pour in the cooled browned butter. Mix until everything is well blended.
- Transfer and top: Pour the batter into the prepared baking pan and smooth the top evenly. If using, sprinkle ¼ cup finely diced walnuts or pecans over the surface.
- Bake the oatmeal: Place the pan into the oven and bake for 35 to 45 minutes, or until the edges turn slightly golden and the center is set and firm to the touch.
- Cool and serve: Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and let it cool for 10 minutes in the pan. Cut into 6 slices and serve warm for a delightful breakfast or brunch.
Notes
- To keep this baked oatmeal dairy-free, substitute vegan butter or melted coconut oil for real butter, but avoid browning these alternatives as they don’t brown the same way.
- For extra texture and flavor, feel free to add spices like nutmeg or ginger.
- This dish can be stored covered in the refrigerator for up to 4 days and reheated before serving.
- You can swap pears for apples or other seasonal fruits to vary the flavor.