There will be two reactions to this post. Half the people will rejoice the festive nature or “special treat” aspect of it. The other half will be appalled that I just put candy on top of my breakfast. To both of these camps, I say: happy holidays?
I couldn’t resist doing something with candy canes, despite the fact that I would consider myself in the second aforementioned camp. I would never crumble up a Snickers bar over my oatmeal, after all. However, once this idea came into my head, I just couldn’t ignore it. It had to be done.
So rest assured, healthy oatmeal lovers, this is a one-time occasion! No more candy in oatmeal. 🙂
P.S. Shout out to my roommate, Allison, for giving me the lovely Le Crouset cookware!
What you'll need:
- 2 pitted dates (or 2 tsp liquid sweetener)
- 1 cup milk of choice, or water
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (I use Country Choice Organic)
- 1/8 tsp molasses
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- dash of cinnamon (optional)
- pinch of salt
- handful of chocolate chips
- crushed candy cane
How to make it:
- Chop the dates as finely as you can.
- Pour milk (I used soy) in a sauce pan and set on medium or medium high heat. Add dates immediately (to give them a chance to soften and release their sweetness).
- Bring liquid to a boil, add oats, and reduce heat to medium. (If you'd like to add flax or chia seeds, do so now.)
- Once more of the liquid has absorbed, add molasses, vanilla extract, a pinch of salt, and optional cinnamon. (If you are using liquid sweetener instead of dates, add that now as well.) Stir.
- If you'd like to add any extra ingredients (coconut oil, dried fruit, nuts, sunflower seeds), do so now.
- When you're pleased with the consistency of the oatmeal, add chocolate chips and a third of your crushed candy cane and fold them carefully into the oatmeal. You don't want to overstir or the chocolate chips will melt and just make your oatmeal a chocolate oatmeal (which is good, but not what we're going for).
- Transfer to a bowl. Top with more chocolate chips and the remaining candy cane. Don't forget a splash of more milk to finish off the presentation!
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