Spring Carrot Cake Baked Oatmeal (Printable)

Moist baked oatmeal squares with fresh carrots, warm spices, and maple syrup, perfect for breakfast or snack times.

# What You Need:

→ Dry Ingredients

01 - 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
03 - ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
04 - 1 teaspoon baking powder
05 - ¼ teaspoon salt

→ Wet Ingredients

06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1½ cups whole milk or unsweetened plant-based milk
08 - ¼ cup maple syrup or honey
09 - ¼ cup melted coconut oil or unsalted butter
10 - 1½ teaspoons vanilla extract

→ Add-Ins

11 - 1¼ cups finely grated carrots, about 2 medium carrots
12 - ½ cup chopped walnuts or pecans, optional
13 - ⅓ cup raisins, optional
14 - ¼ cup unsweetened shredded coconut, optional

# Directions:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease an 8x8-inch baking dish or line with parchment paper.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, combine rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, baking powder, and salt. Stir thoroughly until evenly distributed.
03 - In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, maple syrup or honey, melted coconut oil or butter, and vanilla extract until well incorporated.
04 - Pour wet ingredients into dry mixture and stir until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
05 - Fold grated carrots, chopped nuts, raisins, and shredded coconut into the batter, if using.
06 - Spread mixture evenly into prepared baking dish, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
07 - Bake for 35 to 40 minutes, or until the center is set and edges are golden brown.
08 - Allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing into squares. Serve warm or at room temperature.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • It's the rare breakfast that tastes like dessert without the guilt, because it's packed with whole grains and real vegetables.
  • You can eat it straight from the pan while it's still warm, or grab a square on your way out the door—it holds up beautifully either way.
02 -
  • Don't skip the cooling time no matter how impatient you are—the first square you cut will tell you everything about whether you waited long enough.
  • Grate your carrots as fine as you possibly can, because larger pieces create a grainier texture that some people find off-putting in baked oatmeal.
03 -
  • If your carrots are especially watery, squeeze them gently after grating to remove excess moisture—wet carrots can make the whole thing soggy if you're not careful.
  • The moment you smell that warm spice scent and the edges turn golden, take it out—overbaking is the only real mistake you can make here.
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