A big, fat sugar cookie.
But softer and chewier, and much more filling!
This was the delicious breakfast I made on Sunday, in honor of Christmas. As I prepared my morning oats, the box of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea sat on the counter, staring me straight in the face. (See, sometimes a messy counter can be a good thing.) I had no idea if adding the tea would impart any noticeable flavor, but isn’t that the whole point of experimenting? To see what happens? In this case, what happened was a bowl of creamy oatmeal, remeniscent of a sweet sugar cookie. Merry Christmas, indeed.
(Breakfast was festive last year, too: Zucchini Bread Oatmeal.)
Sugar Cookie Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk of choice (I used almond milk)
- 2 Celestial Seasonings sugar cookie teabags (feel free to change the flavor by using any favorite tea)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- sweetener of choice, as desired
- optional: coconut butter or oil, or vegan butter (You can easily omit this. But I liked the extra buttery flavor I got by stirring a little virgin coconut oil into my oats.)
Heat the water and milk, then add the teabags and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Right before taking the teabags out, smush them a little with a fork so more of the flavor goes into the milk. Combine the liquid with the oats and salt, then microwave for 3 minutes. (If it starts to boil over, you can stop the microwave and keep heating in ten-second increments until the time is up. But don’t open the microwave door!)
Let the oatmeal sit in the closed microwave for 5 minutes, then transfer–uncovered—to the fridge. It gets thicker as it sits. (I made this, then went running for a little over an hour. It was the perfect texture by the time I got back. Bit if you want to eat this immediately, just use a little less water.) Right before eating, add your vanilla and sweetener (and oil, if using).
View Sugar Cookie Oatmeal Nutrition Info
You can make this the night before if you prefer: just add a splash of milk before reheating the next day. Also, feel free to make this on the stovetop instead of the microwave.
By the time I finished breakfast, everyone else was finally starting to wake up. So I parked myself in front of the tree to open presents. (And then I was forced to move, because Batman kept jumping into my lap and trying to lick my face. Ick… puppy kisses! Some presents, I’m not so sure I want.)
My sister’s gift to me included a bunch of colored sugars, to feed my cupcake-decorating habit. Or maybe I can use the colored sugars the next time I make sugar cookie oatmeal. It was so good that I’m definitely planning to make it again soon!
Do you like unusual oatmeal flavors?
Or do you prefer traditional oatmeal mix-ins? I know I’ve posted some outlandish oatmeal recipes, but my everyday breakfasts can actually be pretty simple– basic oats with raisins, or with a big spoonful of coconut butter and some cinnamon mixed in. Still, sometimes it’s fun to go a little crazy…
One of my crazier recipes: Chocolate Hugs Strawberry Oatmeal.
I just popped something very similar into the fridge for the first time as an experiment…without seeing this post! (I feel a bit telepathic now)
I used the voluminous oatmeal trick, and heated up 1/3 cup of oats with 1 cup of water for 4 minutes…but I also stuck in a Pumpkin Spice Rooibos tea bag from Trader Joes before nuking it, just to see what happened. It is now in the fridge with a generous dash of cinnamon, plus the tea bag…I don’t know if I can wait the couple hours before trying it out!
I’m obviously about a year late on my feedback, but I just tried this recipe and it is DELICIOUS. You really have a knack for what you do Katie!
And I couldn’t help but notice some of the negative comments people wrote previously- don’t let them get to you! In my experience with people who feel the need to monitor other people’s nutrition it’s because they themselves struggle with some sort of body image issue.
You’re beautiful and inspirational, and your health is no one’s business but your own! Just do yo’ thang girl.
I had this oatmeal this morning, and OH MY! So good!!! I am not a tea fan, but this was beyond awesome! The tea smelled so good, I wanted to eat it right from the box! Since this tea is only sold this time of year, I am going to stock up! And yes, it did taste like I was eating a sugar cookie for breakfast, but best of all, it’s healthier than it sounds! Thanks Katie! 🙂
Sabrina, you can use other flavors of tea, too! I frequently use a vanilla-chai. Use any flavor that strikes your fancy 🙂 I use half double-strength tea and half milk for the liquid. Makes it a little creamier and I get a little extra milk in 🙂
Yummm!! Could you use the voluminous oatmeal trick and leave it overnight? Or should it not be left for more than an hour? Thanks, this looks delicious!!! 🙂
Julia, if you don’t use milk to cook your oatmeal you can leave it out overnight. This is how I do mine:
1 box (abt 18 oz) steel cut oats, 4C double-strength tea (chai, sugar cookie, etc.), 4C milk — combine in large saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 – 5 minutes. I use a ladle and wide-mouth funnel to divide into pint mason jars (fill about halfway) and put the lids on. Leave sit on the counter for 2 or 3 hours, then put in fridge.
When ready to eat, remove lid, heat in microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes — add cinnamon, ginger, flax seed, milk, raisins, nuts, etc.
Real oatmeal in the time it takes for the yucky instant or quick-cooking stuff 🙂
Okay that is soooo helpful thank you so so much!!!! 😀
This was so yummy! I definitely didn’t have the patience to keep it in the fridge for an hour, so it wasn’t as thick, but still very good. I’ll cut down on the water next time so I can eat it faster! Just a couple drops of stevia sweetened it to perfection, and a touch of Earth Balance Coconut Spread made it nice and rich.
Katie, what makeup do you use? Your face always looks like it’s glowing in your pictures!
Aw thanks, Hannah.
I usually just use Urban Decay mascara, some kind of navy eyeshadow (I have a few old ones from different brands), and tarte blush. I hate foundation, so I never wear it.
Just a heads up, I just noticed on the label of the Sugar Cookie tea that it contains gluten, then I looked at the gingerbread tea & so does it! That makes me sad cuz this is the best oatmeal ever (I feed it to my kids who don’t react to gluten like I do, but I try not to feed it to them anyway). I’ll swing by Whole Foods today & see what I can replace them with.
Doesn’t oatmeal have gluten? I have a couple of friends with celiac’s disease and they can’t eat oatmeal.
Oats don’t have gluten, but they’re often manufactured in the same facility as wheat products. So look for oats that specifically say “gluten-free.” Try looking in the gf section of a grocery store.
I saw this recipe a few weeks back but was upset because I had never seen this tea before! The other day at the grocery store I was so excited when I stumbled upon it sitting on a shelf! Can’t wait to try this!