Introduction
Oh, the smell of cinnamon rolls baking on a lazy weekend morning! It’s one of those nostalgic scents that just wraps you up in a warm hug. But let’s be honest, the rolling, the proofing, the intricate swirls… sometimes, it feels like a whole production, right? Well, what if I told you you could get all those beloved cinnamon roll flavors in a breakfast that’s incredibly easy and unbelievably delicious? Enter the Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake! This recipe is a game-changer for busy mornings, cozy brunches, or anytime you’re craving that comforting taste of cinnamon rolls without the fuss. It’s quick to whip up, and the results are simply divine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fast: Seriously, you can have this in the oven in less than 10 minutes!
- Easy: No fancy techniques here, just simple mixing and baking.
- Giftable: Bake it in a pretty dish, wrap it up, and it makes a wonderful homemade gift.
- Crowd-pleasing: Whether it’s for your family or a brunch party, everyone raves about this.
Ingredients
Gather ’round, friends, and let’s chat about what you’ll need for this little bit of breakfast magic. Don’t worry, it’s all stuff you probably already have in your pantry!
- 2 Large Eggs: These are our binders, making sure everything stays together beautifully.
- 2 3/4 cups Rolled Oats: The heart of our bake! Make sure to use rolled oats (also called old-fashioned oats) for the best texture. Quick oats can get a bit mushy.
- 1/4 cup Maple Syrup: For that natural sweetness and a hint of cozy flavor. Pure maple syrup is best if you have it!
- 2 tsp Baking Powder: This is what gives our bake a little lift and makes it wonderfully soft.
- 1/4 cup Brown Sugar: Adds a lovely depth of caramel-like sweetness, perfect for that cinnamon roll vibe.
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon: The star spice! Don’t be shy with this one; it’s what makes it taste like a cinnamon roll.
- 1/2 cup Powdered Sugar: For our dreamy glaze.
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract: A little bit of vanilla goes a long way in boosting all those other delicious flavors.
- 1/4 cup Butter, Melted: Adds richness and that irresistible buttery flavor.
- 1 1/16 cups Milk: Your choice of milk works here – dairy, almond, oat, whatever you love! This helps create that perfect oatmeal bake consistency.
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get our aprons on and make some breakfast magic! This is so simple, you’ll be making it all the time.
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Preheat & Prep: First things first, let’s get that oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While it’s heating up, grab your favorite baking dish (an 8×8 inch or similar works great) and give it a little grease. This ensures our delicious bake slides right out.
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Mix the Dry & Wet: In a big ol’ bowl, crack in your eggs. Then, toss in the rolled oats, maple syrup, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Give it all a good whisk until everything is nicely combined. It might look a little thick, and that’s totally okay!
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Smooth it Out: Now, it’s time to make it smooth. Gradually whisk in your melted butter and milk. Keep whisking until you have a lovely, smooth batter. This is where it all comes together!
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Into the Dish: Pour that gorgeous batter right into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it bakes up nice and uniform.
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Bake to Perfection: Pop that dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the center looks set and the top has that beautiful, light golden brown hue. Oh, the smell that will fill your kitchen!
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Whip Up the Glaze: While your oatmeal bake is doing its thing in the oven, let’s make that irresistible glaze. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the powdered sugar and about a tablespoon of milk. If it’s too thick, add more milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until it’s perfectly drizzly. You want it pourable but not watery!
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The Grand Finale: Once your oatmeal bake is out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes – enough so you don’t burn yourself! Then, take that delicious glaze and drizzle it all over the top. Watch it melt and drip down the sides. Pure bliss!
Substitutions & Additions
This recipe is pretty fantastic as is, but it’s also wonderfully forgiving! Feel free to play around and make it your own.
- For the Oats: If you only have quick oats, you can use them, but your bake might be a bit softer and less chewy. Just be aware of the texture difference!
- For the Sweetener: Honey or agave nectar can be used instead of maple syrup, though they’ll add a slightly different flavor profile.
- For the Milk: Any milk you have on hand will work. Non-dairy milks are a great option!
- Spice it Up: Love extra cinnamon? Add a pinch of nutmeg or a dash of cardamom to the batter for an extra layer of cozy flavor.
- Fruity Fun: Fold in a handful of fresh blueberries or chopped apples into the batter before baking for a burst of fruitiness.
- Nutty Goodness: Sprinkle some chopped pecans or walnuts on top before baking for a delightful crunch.
Tips for Success
A few little tricks to make your Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake absolutely perfect every single time.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on it towards the end of the baking time. Overbaking can make it dry. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out mostly clean.
- Melt Your Butter Properly: Make sure your butter is fully melted but not browned before adding it to the batter.
- Glaze Consistency: It’s easier to add more milk to the glaze than to take it away! Start with less milk and add more slowly until you get that perfect drizzle.
- Prep Ahead: You can whisk together all the dry ingredients (oats, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon) in a bowl the night before. Then, in the morning, just whisk in the wet ingredients, pour, and bake!
How to Store It
Got leftovers? Lucky you! This bake is just as delicious the next day, or even better!
Once cooled completely, you can store your Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days. To reheat, you can enjoy it cold (some people love it that way!), warm it up in the microwave for about 30-60 seconds, or pop a slice in the toaster oven for a few minutes. I often find just a few seconds in the microwave is enough to bring back that warm, cozy goodness.
FAQs
- Can I make this ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can assemble the batter and store it covered in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours before baking. You might need to add a few extra minutes to the baking time. - Is this recipe gluten-free?
Not as written, because of the oats. However, if you use certified gluten-free rolled oats, this recipe can be made gluten-free! - What kind of dish should I use?
An 8×8 inch baking dish is ideal for this recipe. You can also use a similar-sized square or rectangular dish. - Can I freeze this?
Yes, you can! Once cooled, wrap individual portions tightly in plastic wrap, then in foil, and freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and reheat as desired.
Cinnamon Roll Oatmeal Bake
Equipment
- Baking dish 8x8 inch or similar
- Large bowl
- Small bowl for glaze
Ingredients
Main ingredients
- 2 Large Eggs for binding
- 2.75 cups Rolled Oats also called old-fashioned oats
- 0.25 cup Maple Syrup pure is best
- 2 tsp Baking Powder for lift
- 0.25 cup Brown Sugar for caramel-like sweetness
- 1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon the star spice
- 0.5 cup Powdered Sugar for glaze
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract boosts flavors
- 0.25 cup Butter melted
- 1.0625 cups Milk any kind
- 1 tbsp Milk for glaze, adjust as needed
Instructions
- First things first, let's get that oven nice and toasty. Preheat it to 375°F (190°C). While it's heating up, grab your favorite baking dish (an 8x8 inch or similar works great) and give it a little grease. This ensures our delicious bake slides right out.
- In a big ol' bowl, crack in your eggs. Then, toss in the rolled oats, maple syrup, baking powder, brown sugar, cinnamon, and vanilla extract. Give it all a good whisk until everything is nicely combined. It might look a little thick, and that's totally okay!2 Large Eggs
- Now, it's time to make it smooth. Gradually whisk in your melted butter and milk. Keep whisking until you have a lovely, smooth batter. This is where it all comes together!2 Large Eggs
- Pour that gorgeous batter right into your prepared baking dish. Spread it out evenly so it bakes up nice and uniform.
- Pop that dish into your preheated oven and let it bake for about 25 to 30 minutes. You'll know it's ready when the center looks set and the top has that beautiful, light golden brown hue. Oh, the smell that will fill your kitchen!
- While your oatmeal bake is doing its thing in the oven, let's make that irresistible glaze. Grab a small bowl and whisk together the powdered sugar and about a tablespoon of milk. If it's too thick, add more milk, just a teaspoon at a time, until it's perfectly drizzly. You want it pourable but not watery!2 Large Eggs
- Once your oatmeal bake is out of the oven, let it cool for just a few minutes – enough so you don't burn yourself! Then, take that delicious glaze and drizzle it all over the top. Watch it melt and drip down the sides. Pure bliss!