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.
Katie, love your blog! Have tried lots of your recipies and love cookie dough dip, baked oatmeal, and lots of ideas 🙂
Just thought this was interesting, I was wary of the oatmeal because I don’t like this flavor of tea, but in oatmeal , I thought it tasted fantastic! So glad to have another flavor of healthy oatmeal 🙂
I love adding tea bags to my oatmeal. It’s like having a tea latte but with oats 🙂 I suggest trying it out with peppermint tea and wait for it… chocolate!
Your sister looks sooooo familiar and I can’t figure out why!
I blogged about this recipe and added a stovetop method/multiple serving size, thanks for the idea, my kiddos LOVED eating sprinkles on their oatmeal 🙂
http://robinjoy.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/day-5-and-i-ate-2-mms/
I’m going to make this tomorrow morning! But quick question. I typically only use 1 cup of water/milk to 1/2 cup oats. Do you think I can keep that ratio or should I increase the liquid like you have in the recipe?
I think it should be fine as you usually make it :).
My mum and I have searched nearly everywhere for this particular tea flavor with no luck for weeks and weeks.
Yesterday, however, my mum spotted them out of the corner of her eye in the frozen section, opposed to the tea section, of all places. Wearing a huge grin on my face, I literally jumped up and down in excitement! :p
Can you guess what I’ll be having for breakfast tomorrow? 😉
You’re probably going to think I sound odd for saying this, but I just read through about half of these comments and am still wondering how a simple recipe for sugar cookie oatmeal turned into a conversation that showed a lot of ignorance.. or maybe just lack of knowledge?
Not everyone with eating disorders stays away from desserts or hates them — just as that is the same with people without eating disorders
Not everyone with an eating disorder is thin
Just as (importantly) not everyone that’s thin has an eating disorder
You can’t always “just tell” if someone has an eating disorder… and it’s a very personal thing, so I don’t think it’s fair to ask anyone over the internet if they do… especially in a comment thread. YES, she’s putting herself out there by having a blog, but it doesn’t give anyone free reign to treat her with any less respect than you would anyone else you only sort of know…
Agreed:)
I use chai tea for oatmeal and add in cinnamon, apples, and some sort of sweetner, if you’ve never tried that, it seems like it may be right up your alley.
Just a question, my brother in law has coeliacs and says he can’t have oats…I’m confused now lol
Sorry Katie for hijacking comments but I was reading this from the link to your most recent post and thought I could help with this one… 🙂
Newly-diagnosed coeliacs are told to avoid oats because they contain a gluten-like substance. But because it’s slightly different from wheat, rye and barley gluten, some coeliacs are fine with them (like me, hooray!)
If a coeliac’s intestines have healed since he or she’s been gluten-free, most can try re-introducing oats slowly (about 1tbsp at a time but speak to a doctor first to check) and if there’s no adverse reaction, it’s usually safe. You do have to make sure the oats are “pure” though, ie not contaminated with any other grains so you can’t usually have normal brands… hope that helps and that you don’t mind Katie!
Oh goodness, I definitely NEVER mind when someone chimes in to help answer a comment! I wish more people did it. I don’t have all the answers, and it’s really great to get info from someone more knowledgeable. Thanks, Eleanor! 🙂
I have Twinnings’ Pumpkin Spice Chai tea that made for *delicious* oatmeal! Thanks for the recipe.