Description
This Orange Creamsicle Baked Oatmeal is a delightful and healthy breakfast option combining the bright, fresh flavors of orange with creamy textures. Baked to golden perfection and topped with a luscious orange yogurt glaze, this recipe is both nutritious and comforting, perfect for a cozy morning or a make-ahead meal.
Ingredients
Wet ingredients:
- 2 eggs
- ⅓ cup (104g) pure maple syrup
- Zest from 1 large orange
- ½ cup (100g) freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1 tablespoon melted butter, vegan butter, or melted and cooled coconut oil
- 1 ¼ cup (300g) unsweetened vanilla almond milk (or milk of choice)
- ½ tablespoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
Dry ingredients:
- 2 cups (190g) old fashioned rolled oats
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Orange yogurt topping:
- 2 tablespoons plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (or substitute dairy-free yogurt or softened cream cheese)
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar (or maple syrup or honey as substitute)
- 1-2 teaspoons fresh orange juice, to thin
- ½ teaspoon orange zest
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×9 inch baking pan with oil or nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking, then set it aside.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, pure maple syrup, orange zest, freshly squeezed orange juice, melted butter (or vegan/coconut oil alternative), almond milk, and both vanilla and almond extracts until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Add the rolled oats, baking powder, and salt to the wet ingredients. Stir gently but thoroughly until all the dry ingredients are evenly incorporated into the wet mixture.
- Bake the Oatmeal: Pour the combined batter into the prepared pan, smoothing the top evenly. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 55 minutes, or until the edges turn slightly golden and the center is set and firm to the touch. Once done, remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool for about 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Orange Glaze: While the oatmeal cools, in a small bowl, mix together Greek yogurt, powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract. Stir well until smooth. Add extra orange juice if needed to achieve a drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle and Serve: Drizzle the orange vanilla glaze evenly over the baked oatmeal. Cut into 6 generous slices and serve warm for a delicious breakfast treat.
Notes
- To make an orange chocolate chip version, stir in ⅓ cup of mini or regular chocolate chips (dairy-free chips can be used as well).
- For added nutrition, mix 1-2 tablespoons of chia seeds into the batter before baking.
- For a festive winter or holiday version, add 1 cup fresh or frozen cranberries, ½ cup walnuts or pecans, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and a pinch of nutmeg to the batter.
- You can substitute ½ cup dried cranberries instead of fresh cranberries for a convenient alternative.
- Try swirling in ¼ cup homemade cranberry sauce before baking for a post-Thanksgiving twist.
- For a summer variation, add 1 cup fresh or frozen blueberries to the batter.
