Carrot Cake Oatmeal

After years of trying to find alternatives for “unhealthy” cravings, I’ve finally realized that there is only one way to nip them in the bud: go for the real deal, even if it’s a small portion.  Obviously it’s probably not wise to do so every time a craving kicks in, but for the most part: if I do not give in, the craving will undoubtedly persist…and chances are that when I do eventually give in, I may end up ‘overeating’.

Speaking of cravings, I had a major one on Sunday for carrot cake…and not just any generic carrot cake.  In the heart of Mayfair in London, there’s the smallest, yet delicious, café called Mount Street Deli which is known for their organic, modern fare.  While I can’t remember what exactly we ate, I do remember that I was impressed…and that the carrot cake was the tastiest, and most perfectly moist (for lack of better term) cake I’ve eaten.  I die just thinking about it!

Although I’m all for giving into the cravings, attempting to do so seemed a bit ambitious with me sitting over 4,000 miles away from the café.  As for opting for a slice from a bakery in Mumbai, that would have required me changing out of my pajamas…not going to happen on a Sunday night.

The next best alternative I could come up with was carrot cake oatmeal.  The fact that I grated a carrot at 10 PM even once the kitchen had been cleaned for the night confirms the heights of my desperation.  While I’d be deluded to say this was even close to the real deal, I can vouch for it surpassing my expectations.  It hit the spot and my craving was definitely satisfied!

Carrot Cake Oatmealserves 1

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup oats
  • 150 ml milk (I used soy)
  • Half cup grated carrots
  • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
  • Handful raisins
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • 3-4 drops of vanilla essence
  • 1 tablespoon applesauce (optional)
  • Honey
  • Shredded coconut

Method

  1. Combine the oats, milk, carrot chia seeds, raisins, vanilla essence and cinnamon in a saucepan.
  2. Turn the heat to medium and stir occasionally until mixture comes to a boil and most of the liquid is absorbed, about 3-4 minutes.
  3. Before turning the heat off, stir in a spoonful of applesauce.
  4. Pour oats into a bowl and top with shredded coconut and honey.
  5. If you really want to give it the ‘carrot cake effect’, topping it with a dollop of Greek yogurt would be the icing on the cake…literally ;)!

What’s the latest craving you had?

33 thoughts on “Carrot Cake Oatmeal”

  1. My mom would go absolutely crazy over this ilttle creation of yours! I’m going to have to make her some the next time I’m home.

    And you know me…I’m always craving chocolate…always.

  2. I make carrot cake oatmeal all the time! Isn’t it the best?! I do mine for breakfast… because who doesn’t love dessert for breakfast?! 🙂 I also do a zucchini bread oatmeal that I love. Sounds weird, tastes amazing!

  3. looks so good, i’ve made this in the past.. except without applesauce.. i’ve topped mine with greek yogurt and it was divine. awww.. i can feel your pain… when i was in india i was missing some of my US bakeries, but then I found that Elma’s cafe. Can you try baking at home.. I actually have an “Award Winning Carrot Cake” recipe on my site that uses carrot babyfood, Khushboo, it is delicious… you may still miss London, but it will subside your cravings. and it is relatively good for you. 🙂

  4. Carrot cake is one of my favorite…
    There are couple of bakery/cafes that I love to go too, I want the ‘real’ baked goods when I have cravings!!
    I love oatmeal and I love carrot cake, I should definitely try your recipe! 😀

  5. I LOVE carrot cake – there’s a health food shop in Nottingham that sells the most incredible vegan carrot cake. Somehow I can’t really warm-up to the idea of carrots in oatmeal, but I trust your food judgement so I may just try this out soon!

  6. I LOVE carrot cake! Love love love it! My latest cravings have all been savoury…for toast topped with avocado and seasalt…I think I saw a picture of that snack last week and now that’s all I’ve been snacking on. I think as a whole my cravings tend to be texture-based

  7. I LOVE carrot cake!! I recently gave in and it was so worth it, but if I gave in every time I had carrot cake… well that would not be good because it’s quite often! I have yet to try carrot cake oats but I have done that with yogurt and it’s really good!!

  8. I looove making healthy desserts out of oatmeal! I do that every night for dessert! Always the base of it is :1/3 cup oat bran or oat meal, 2 tbs chia seeds, splash of almond milk. Depending on my mood I’ll either make something more chocolaty or with berries. 2 of my fav’s is my “reese peanut butter cup” ( oatbran, my fudge protein powder and peanut butttaa! Second is The oatmeal with rasberries and peanut butter (pb and J)! So delicious!

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