Cake Batter Overnight Oats: Cozy Mornings & Sweet Cravings
So, About These Cake Batter Overnight Oats…
If you had told me a few years ago that I’d be making breakfast that tastes like birthday cake (and not, like, the sad, dry kind), I probably would have laughed and reached for my usual granola. But one rainy Sunday, totally by accident, I ended up mixing some leftover almond extract into my oats and—long story short—let’s just say my house now goes through sprinkles faster than a toddler at a birthday party. Making these for the first time was a bit of a kitchen gamble, actually; but now I do it practically in my sleep (which, ironically, is almost what I’m doing when I make overnight oats).
Why You’ll Probably (Okay, Definitely) Want to Make This
I reach for this recipe when life feels too dreary for plain oatmeal (which is most Mondays after 5am). My husband claims these oats are the only reason he doesn’t hit snooze six times, and my kid actually danced around the kitchen the first time she saw the sprinkles (I might have too, but I’ll deny it). Plus, you basically do all the “cooking” the night before, so even if you’re running on autopilot or you forgot you had a meeting at 8:00am—breakfast is ready. I’ve tried skipping the almond extract, once, because I ran out (and forgot to restock), but honestly, the magic’s in that little bottle. Don’t skip it if you can help it!
What You’ll Need (Just Use What You’ve Got, Mostly)
- 1/2 cup rolled oats (On rushed days, I’ll grab quick oats, but steel cut doesn’t really work here—too chewy!)
- 3/4 cup milk of choice (I rotate between oat milk and regular 2%; coconut milk makes it extra rich if that’s your thing)
- 1/2 cup plain or vanilla Greek yogurt (Sometimes I use regular yogurt. Actually, I even did this with skyr once—turned out thick as pudding, but not bad!)
- 1.5 tsp almond extract (Some folks use vanilla, and it’s… fine. But almond really gives you the cake vibe)
- 2-3 tsp pure maple syrup or honey (I’ve been known to use agave, too—it works in a pinch)
- 1-2 tbsp rainbow sprinkles (The classic confetti kind; my grandmother swore by Betty Crocker brand, but honestly, whatever’s on hand does the trick)
- Pinch of salt (Don’t skip this; it does something magic, I swear)
- Optional: 1 tbsp chia seeds for thickness (I forget these half the time and it’s still great!)
The (Almost Foolproof) Directions
- Grab your favorite jar or bowl with a lid (Mine always seem to be in the dishwasher, so sometimes I just use an old takeaway container—whatever is clean, really).
- Dump in the oats, milk, yogurt, almond extract, maple syrup, salt, and chia seeds if you remember. Give it a good stir—no need to be gentle. If it looks a bit… gloopy, that’s okay, it sorts itself out overnight.
- Now, add half your sprinkles. (This is where my daughter likes to “help” and somehow five times as many hit the table as the bowl.) Stir again.
- Pop the lid on. Refrigerate at least 4 hours, but best is overnight. Don’t peek unless you want to get sprinkles stuck to your sleeve. I sometimes sneak a taste before bed, but it never tastes right until morning—true story.
- In the morning, give a stir (sometimes it looks a bit separated or weird, but it evens out—promise). Top with the rest of the sprinkles. Maybe add a dollop of yogurt or some berries if you’re feeling fancy. It’s ready to eat straight away or toss it in a to-go cup if you’re running late (as per usual in my house).
Notes I Wish I’d Known from the Start
- If it seems too thick in the morning, just splash in a bit more milk. Actually, I find it gets thicker the longer it sits.
- Watch those sprinkles—if they’re the really cheap kind, the colors can bleed. Doesn’t bother me, but you might end up with blue oats. Which is maybe a bonus?
- Somehow, the almond extract gets even better if you let it sit two days. If it lasts that long. (It never does in my fridge.)
How I’d Change Things Up: Variations That Sometimes Work (Or Don’t)
- Protein boost? Add a scoop of vanilla protein powder—it’s fine, but if you use the chalky kind, beware. I did that once and, well, let’s just say it had the texture of building putty.
- Dairy-free? Use coconut yogurt. I thought it tasted super tropical; the family was on the fence.
- Chocolate chips instead of sprinkles? Tastes more like cookie dough than cake (which isn’t bad!)
- I tried adding mashed banana once—too strong, overpowered everything, wouldn’t recommend unless you really love banana.
What You’ll Need in the Kitchen (And What You Can Get Away Without)
A jar with a lid is ideal, but I’ve used empty salsa jars, Tupperware, or even a big mug with cling film on top. Honestly, the less you fuss about this, the more likely you’ll actually make it. Don’t have a fancy spoon? Use whatever. One time I used a chopstick just to mix things up. It worked.
Storage: Not That You’ll Need It…
Technically, these oats last about 3 days in the fridge. But honestly, I’ve never had them stick around past the first day—someone always nabs them for dessert. Maybe you’ll be less impatient. Keep tightly sealed, anyway.
How We Like to Serve It (But You Do You)
I think they taste better the next day, cold. That creamy, just-sweet-enough thing is so satisfying. For special birthdays, we top with extra sprinkles and—don’t laugh—a candle (no one blows it out, it’s just for the vibe). Sometimes, when I’m feeling fancy, a little whipped cream doesn’t hurt either. I also saw someone swirling in a teaspoon of peanut butter (found the idea here). Haven’t tried it, but sure looks ace.
Lessons Learned (a.k.a. Pro Tips from My Mistakes)
- Don’t try to rush the chill time—seriously, one hour just doesn’t cut it. I ate soupy oats once and regretted it right away.
- If you go heavy handed with the almond extract, it can taste like a bottle of perfume exploded—go easy, taste and try less if you’re not sure.
- Mixing in the sprinkles too early can turn everything brownish-grey if you’re not careful (especially with certain brands)—learned this form experience, haha.
Frequently Asked Questions (I Promise These Get Asked!)
- “Can I make it with instant oats?”
Yes, but it gets really soft. Not my favourite, but, you do you. - “What if I hate almond extract?”
Just use vanilla; it’s a bit less ‘cake batter’, but still yummy. You could even try a mix. On second thought, orange extract might be nice, too, but I’ve not tried it yet. - “Hey, are the sprinkles really necessary?”
Of course not. But honestly—are you sure you don’t have a bag hiding in your pantry? (Still, leave them out and just double the fun yogurt mix in that case.) - “Can I make these vegan?”
Sure can! Use plant milk and coconut or soy yogurt. Oh, and check your sprinkles—they’re not always vegan (who knew?! Check out this list if that matters to you). - “How do I make it extra healthy?”
Eh, add chia seeds, sub half yogurt for blended cottage cheese, use a little less syrup. But then, is it really still cake batter oats? I’ll leave that up to you. - “Where did you get the original idea?”
Honestly, I saw a viral TikTok ages ago (can’t even find it now), but recipes like this one on Feasting on Fruit got me experimenting, too.
Little side note, because my cat is climbing across my keyboard as I write this: if you spill sprinkles on the floor, you’ll find them for weeks. Trust me, it’s inevitable. But they’re a cheerful discovery underfoot even days later.
Alright, that’s probably everything! Give it a whirl, and let me know if your mornings don’t get a notch sunnier—or at least, a little more cake-like.
Ingredients
- 1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
- 1 cup milk (any kind)
- 1/2 cup vanilla Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 tablespoon rainbow sprinkles, plus more for topping
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
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1In a medium bowl or jar, combine rolled oats, milk, and vanilla Greek yogurt.
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2Add maple syrup, vanilla extract, almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Mix until well combined.
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3Fold in 1 tablespoon of rainbow sprinkles gently to distribute throughout the mixture.
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4Cover and refrigerate overnight or for at least 4 hours so the oats absorb the liquid and soften.
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5Before serving, stir well and top with extra sprinkles as desired. Enjoy cold or let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes.
Approximate Information for One Serving
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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