Carrot Baked Oatmeal Cake

One of my favorite cakes is carrot cake, this is my baked oatmeal version. I love it! Oatmeal with flavor, depth and easily made for a crowd.  You may bake in a 8×8 or 6 ramekins or muffin pan using this recipe or double this using a larger cake pan or add more ramekins. I baked this in a 8x8 pan and made two small rectangle layer cakes.  Printable recipe PDF

Main ingredients:

• 2 cups quick cooking oatmeal*
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups almond milk, unsweetened vanilla
• 2 tablespoons ground flax seed
• 4-5 tablespoons water
• 1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 teaspoon molasses
• 2 tablespoons cinnamon
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 4 carrots peeled and shredded (about 2 1/2 cups)

Topping:

• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons smart balance or butter
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese substitute
• 3 drops cheese cake flavoring oil or 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 tablespoon almond milk

• Optional topping: baklava spiced walnuts

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Lightly oil baking dish of choice. I used an 8×8.
3. In a small bowl combine flax seed and water, stir and set aside until slightly congealed.
4. In a large bowl add oatmeal, salt, almond milk, flax seed mixture, pecans, vanilla, molasses, cinnamon, sugar, and carrots. Mix together using whisk.
5. Ladle or pour into baking pan of choice.  If using full ramekins I highly suggest a parchment lined baking sheet to catch any drips or spills.
6. Bake 350°F 40 to 45 minutes.
7. Remove oatmeal from oven, the top of the oatmeal should be lightly browned and raised uniformly.
8.  Allow to cool completely.
9. In a medium mixing bowl combine sugar, butter, cream cheese and flavoring; beat until smooth add almond milk if needed to soften the frosting.
10. Spread frosting on top of cake and sprinkle with baklava spiced walnuts if using. Or make a layered cake slices, cut out squares of the cake frosting in the middle and a dollop on top and tada! Layer cake.

*Steel cut oats or old fashioned oats may be used, just use 2 1/4 cups instead of quick cooking oats.