Carrot Cake Overnight Oats (Printable)

Creamy oats with grated carrots, warm spices, and a hint of yogurt for a wholesome, make-ahead meal.

# Ingredient List:

→ Oats Base

01 - 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
02 - 1 cup milk (dairy or plant-based)
03 - 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
04 - 2 tablespoons maple syrup or honey
05 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Carrot Cake Mix-Ins

06 - 3/4 cup finely grated carrot (about 1 medium carrot)
07 - 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
08 - 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg
09 - 1/8 teaspoon ground ginger
10 - Pinch of salt
11 - 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts or pecans
12 - 2 tablespoons raisins

→ Optional Toppings

13 - 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
14 - 1 tablespoon milk
15 - 2 teaspoons maple syrup
16 - Additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as desired

# Steps:

01 - In a medium bowl or jar, mix rolled oats, milk, Greek yogurt, maple syrup, and vanilla extract until well combined.
02 - Fold in grated carrot, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, salt, chopped walnuts or pecans, and raisins, mixing until evenly distributed.
03 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 8 hours to soften the oats and allow flavors to develop.
04 - In a small bowl, whisk together softened cream cheese, milk, and maple syrup until smooth to create a frosting drizzle.
05 - Stir the oats, then serve topped with the cream cheese drizzle and optional additional nuts, shredded coconut, or grated carrot as desired.

# Tips from the Pros:

01 -
  • It tastes indulgent without the guilt, delivering genuine carrot cake flavor while you're actually eating something wholesome.
  • Everything happens while you sleep, which means you get to feel productive without lifting a finger in the morning.
  • The texture stays creamy and luscious, not gluey or dried out the way some overnight oats can turn.
02 -
  • Don't grate the carrot too coarsely or it stays firm and slightly bitter—fine grating is the only way to get that tender sweetness that mimics the actual cake.
  • If your oats seem too thick in the morning, it's not a failure; a splash more milk transforms them from spoonable porridge back to creamy in seconds.
03 -
  • Grate your carrot as finely as you can manage because it distributes the flavor evenly and softens beautifully overnight instead of staying firm.
  • Invest in good cream cheese for the frosting—cheaper versions have a grainy texture that won't whisk smooth no matter how hard you try.
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