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’ve been wanting to make this recipe for months, and finally this holiday season, I found the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea, and OH MY GOSH this is absolutely delicious! I love oatmeal, and all your fun flavors make it so it never gets boring! Thanks so much! 🙂
Just tried this and it was delicious!!
This is the first ever recipe i saw of yours! I immediately tried it, showed all my friends and family, and fell in love with a countless number of your recipes. Every party i went to in the last year i have made one of your healthy treats, from holiday parties, football get togethers, or work events. Every single time i would tell people about your recipe, where i got it, and how they have to check out your blog. Imagine my delight when i just got online to show my coworker your blog and found a brand new site, where your job will actually be doing something you love. i know we don’t know each other but i feel like a proud mother haha. so so happy for you, well done.
I can across this recipe this morning when I was actually looking for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal….but this sounded new and exciting and actually HAD the tea….from a year or so ago (ick, I know!) BUT it worked. You are unbelievably creative in the kitchen. I have a LOT of teas that I think I may try this with. The only problem I had was being able to only eat around half of the recipe because it was a bit too salty for me. Next time I’ll try it with half the salt and see how it goes. Otherwise it was delicious and I look forward to trying it again!!
*came across…
Katie: I went down to my local bulk olive oil store the other day, and they had vegan butter flavored olive oil. I tasted it, and Oh, My! It tasted just like buttery movie theater popcorn. So the product is out there. I don’t know who his supplier is or where else it could be purchased in your neck of the woods. I don’t even know where your neck of the woods is. I live in Portland, Oregon. I would be glad to ask him where he gets it for you. He says he sells the oil to many vegans who frequent his shop.
Too funny! I actually have that olive oil. There is an olive oil store in Grapevine, Texas, and one of my favorite things to do is sample all the oils and vinegars. Last time I went, I bought the butter-flavored olive oil, raspberry vinegar, and coconut vinegar. Thanks for reminding me of the place… I think I need to go again soon ;).
I love unusual oatmeal flavors! My favorite is Almond Joy oatmeal- oatmeal made with almond milk, with dark chocolate chips and coconut flakes sprinkled on top!
I LOVE the idea of infusing oatmeal with tea!!! However, this should NOT be under gluten-free, as Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride by Celestial Seasonings contains “roasted barley” 🙁
Hi Sarah,
I am so sorry for the mistake. When I wrote my post, I never even thought to check and see if tea had gluten. I fixed the post immediately and am very sorry for the mistake.
My grandma (almost 80) asked me the other day if I had ever tried peanut butter in my oatmeal because “it is de-LIcious.” (She just discovered this combo.) I said I had (thanks to CCK, of course). Then, I asked her if she’d ever had sugar cookie oatmeal. She said, “Sugar cookie oatmeal??” I said, “Yes, mam!” Long story short, I’m buying her a box of the tea and bringing her this recipe. I am so excited to share it! My “picky Pete” husband LOVES it, and I do too. Thanks for sharing!
Aw hope she likes it 🙂
Almost EXACTLY like eating a huge chewy sugar cookie! Christmas in a breakfast bowl :)!!!!
My unusual flavor oatmeal does , actually, involve tea. I have found that chai tea is great for oatmeal. Old fashioned oats, chai tea, 1 pkt stevia , and some chia seeds. Nuke it, then slice a half a banana on top ….mmmmmmmm! Chai Chia oatmeal.