Brown Sugar Baked Oats

Warm porridge with cream and brown sugar…

When my mum would ask me what I wanted for breakfast as a child, that’s what I would ask for. Warm porridge with cream and brown sugar.

That’s right – While my brothers requested chocolate chip pancakes or fruitloops, I was begging for oatmeal…

For me, that was the ultimate breakfast on a chilly winter morning. Not much has changed today, because I still think just that.

Strange as it may sound, oatmeal is truly my number one. I could eat it for breakfast everyday, and never get tired of it. Believe it or not, if I go out for brunch, I am always secretly hoping the restaurant will have a wonderful steel cut oatmeal on the menu. It’s not very common, but when I stumble upon a restaurant doing oats right, the joy I feel inside cannot be described.

Am I alone in this? Where are all my oatmeal lovers at?

Even if you’re not, this recipe will make an oat lover out of you.

The secret to this recipe is the steel cut oats – and if you’ve never tried steel cut oats… well then this is the time to do it.

Steel cut oats are honestly nothing like rolled oats or quick oats. The texture is incredible – almost more similar to that of soft rice. If you have ever had warm homemade rice pudding, that is what I would say this recipe could be compared to – Except, dare I say it… better.

I’m just going to say it, this is like basically it’s like dessert for breakfast… it’s a wonderful thing. Trust me.

Best part – This recipe takes no more than 10 minutes to whip up before you place it in the oven and let the magic happen. Just wait until it fills your house with the most delicious smell…

Patience is the name of the game with this recipe as it requires a bit of baking time, but I promise you, good things come to those who wait, and these oats are worth the wait.

Happy oat baking <3

Brown Sugar Baked Oats with Cream

Things you need…

Oats
1 cup steel cut oats
1/2 apple, peeled, cored and chopped into 1/4 inch cubes
1/2 cup toasted pecans, finely chopped (optional)
3 tbsp dark brown sugar
pinch of salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
2 1/2 cups whole milk (or plant based milk of your choice)
2 tsp pure vanilla extract
2 tbsp butter, melted (you could substitute nut butter or coconut oil)

Topping
1 tbsp brown sugar
1/2 apple, sliced into 1/4 inch slices for decoration

To serve
table cream
Maple syrup or brown sugar

How to make…

Preheat oven to 350 degrees & grease a 9 or 10 inch round baking dish. I just pie plate.

In a large bowl, combine steel cut oats, toasted pecans, brown sugar, spices and chopped apples. Mix to combine. Pour in milk, vanilla and melted butter & stir to combine. Pour mixture into prepared baking dish.

Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes. Remove from oven and stir with a spoon. Now take the apple slices and fan them out on top of the oats. Sprinkle the top with additional brown sugar and pecans. Place back in the oven to bake for an additional 25-30 minutes.

Remove from oven and distribute among bowls. Serve with your favourite toppings such as milk, cream, a drizzle of maple syrup, fresh fruit etc.

* Note: you could substitute rolled oats, but just make sure you cut down your baking time to about 30-40 minutes as it will cook much faster. Steel cut oats are the secret to this recipe though, so they are worth the trip to the store.