Carrot Cake Overnight Oats

This carrot cake overnight oats recipe transforms your favorite dessert into a nutritious breakfast that's ready when you wake up. The combination of sweet carrots, warm spices, and tangy cream cheese topping perfectly captures the essence of carrot cake but in a wholesome breakfast form that starts your day right.

I created this recipe during a particularly hectic work week when I needed breakfasts that would fuel my mornings without requiring any time. Now it's become my Monday morning ritual to prepare these jars for the week ahead.

Ingredients

• Certified gluten free oats: Form the hearty base and provide slow release energy
• Almond milk: Adds creaminess while keeping the recipe dairy optional
• Chia seeds: Create a pudding like texture while adding omega-3s
• Vanilla protein powder: Boosts protein content and adds natural sweetness
• Cinnamon and nutmeg: Provide the classic carrot cake flavor profile
• Shredded carrots: Add natural sweetness and nutrients
• Chopped pecans: Contribute healthy fats and a delightful crunch
• Raisins: Bring natural sweetness and chewy texture
• Greek yogurt: Provides protein and tanginess to balance sweetness
• White chocolate chips: Melt to create rich creaminess
• Cream cheese: Delivers that authentic carrot cake frosting flavor

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare the Base:

Combine all oat ingredients in a jar or bowl. This includes the oats, almond milk, chia seeds, protein powder, cinnamon, nutmeg, shredded carrots, chopped pecans, and raisins. Mix thoroughly to ensure the chia seeds don't clump together and the spices are evenly distributed. Refrigerate for at least one hour to allow the oats and chia seeds to absorb the liquid.

Create the Ganache:

Place white chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl and heat in 15 second intervals, stirring between each until fully melted. Be careful not to overheat as white chocolate burns easily. Add the Greek yogurt and room temperature cream cheese to the melted chocolate. Whisk vigorously until completely smooth with no lumps remaining. The ganache should have a creamy, pourable consistency.

Assemble the Jar:

Remove the oat mixture from the refrigerator after it has initially set. Pour the prepared white chocolate cream cheese ganache over the oat mixture, creating a distinct layer on top. Return the jar to the refrigerator and let it set overnight or for at least 6 hours to allow flavors to meld together and achieve the perfect texture.

Finish and Serve:

In the morning, top your overnight oats with additional freshly shredded carrots and pecan pieces for extra texture and visual appeal. The jar is now ready to grab and go for a convenient, nutritious breakfast.

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The shredded carrots are actually my favorite ingredient in this recipe. Unlike baked carrot cake where the carrots become soft, in overnight oats they retain a slight crunch that adds wonderful texture contrast to the creamy oats. My children were initially skeptical about vegetables in breakfast, but now they request their carrot cake oats regularly.

Customization Options

You can easily adapt this recipe to suit your dietary preferences or what you have on hand. For a vegan version, substitute the Greek yogurt with coconut yogurt and use vegan cream cheese and dairy free white chocolate. The flavor profile remains delightful while accommodating plant based diets.

Perfect Make-Ahead Breakfast

The beauty of overnight oats lies in their convenience for busy mornings. I recommend preparing several jars at once on Sunday evening to have breakfast ready for most of the week. The oats portion can be made in a large batch and divided into individual containers, while the ganache layer can be prepared fresh every couple of days.

Pro Tips

If making multiple servings, store the oat base and ganache separately, combining them the night before you plan to eat them. This maintains the perfect texture and prevents the ganache from being absorbed too deeply into the oats.

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These carrot cake overnight oats allow you to enjoy a dessert inspired breakfast that is wholesome, nutritious, and easy to prepare!

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How long do Carrot Cake Overnight Oats stay fresh?

These overnight oats will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. The cream cheese ganache topping is best added the night before consumption for optimal texture and flavor.

→ Can I make these overnight oats without protein powder?

Yes! You can omit the protein powder entirely or substitute with 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and a touch of sweetener like maple syrup or honey to achieve a similar flavor profile.

→ Are there dairy-free alternatives for the ganache topping?

Absolutely. Use dairy-free yogurt, vegan cream cheese, and dairy-free white chocolate chips to create a plant-based version of the ganache topping that maintains the creamy texture.

→ Can I warm these overnight oats before eating?

While traditionally served cold, you can gently warm the oat mixture (before adding the ganache) in the microwave for 30-45 seconds. Add the ganache topping after warming for a comforting breakfast on chilly mornings.

→ What can I substitute for chia seeds?

Ground flaxseed makes an excellent substitute for chia seeds in a 1:1 ratio. They provide similar nutritional benefits and help create that thick, pudding-like consistency that makes overnight oats so satisfying.

→ How can I add more sweetness without adding sugar?

Try adding more raisins, a chopped date, a ripe mashed banana, or a drizzle of pure maple syrup. Cinnamon also enhances perceived sweetness without adding sugar, so you could increase the amount slightly.