Cherry-Almond Cookie Dough Oatmeal is decadent-tasting yet healthy way to start your morning. Each bite tastes like cookie dough!
Can we talk about how excited I am to eat cookie dough after the little man arrives?
That and see my feet, independently tie my shoes, wear normal pants, feel the fingertips on my right hand, walk more than a mile, and be able to stroll instead of roll out of a horizontal position?
SO EXCITED!
Our little boy is welcome to arrive any day and until that time I’m keeping a lid on my raw cookie dough cravings with Cherry-Almond Cookie Dough Oatmeal.
Healthy Oatmeal with a Cookie Dough Spin
Obviously I’m a cookie dough fiend and, coupled with my summer cherry obsession, this Cherry-Almond Cookie Dough Oatmeal totally and completely hits the spot.
The base is my go-to 3-minute stove top oatmeal combined with not only vanilla but almond extract, which I always add to my sugar cookie dough to give it a little extra oomph. Topped with fresh cherries and crunchy almonds, I literally felt like I was eating a decadent bowl of cherry-topped sugar cookie dough for breakfast!
(In a non-gaggy actually eating a bowl of sugar cookie dough for breakfast sort of way. You understand.)
The star of the bowl are fresh, summer cherries which are as sweet and delicious as they are gorgeous.
Wash 1/2 cup fresh cherries then use a cherry pitter to pit them. If you don’t have a cherry pitter you can slice the cherries like a mini piece of stone fruit then pop the pit out with your fingers.
Once they’re pitted, slice them in half and set aside. Out of sight, preferably, or there won’t be much left for topping your oatmeal!
Ask me how I know…
Next get the oatmeal cooking. Start with 1/2 cup old fashioned oats.
Add the oats to a small saucepan then add 1/2 cup each water and milk as well as 1 small banana sliced thin.
Turn the heat to medium then when the mixture starts to bubble, cook for about 3 minutes or until the oats are thick and creamy, using a spatula to help mash the bananas.
Remove the pot from the heat then stir in 1 Tablespoon brown sugar, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla, and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract. Almond extract is very potent so a little goes a long way. Almond is such a deliciously classic pairing with cherries though – so good!
Spoon the oatmeal into a bowl then top with the pitted, halved cherries, and a sprinkling of crunchy sliced almonds.
I am telling you – so ridiculously delicious! You will love the combo of almond and fresh cherry with a cookie dough flavor, and the contrast of creamy oatmeal with crunchy almonds is just fabulous.
Cherry-Almond Cookie Dough Oatmeal feels like you’re eating dessert for breakfast. Enjoy every last drop!
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup certified gluten free old fashioned oats
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk, any kind
- 1 small ripe banana, thinly sliced
- 1 Tablespoon brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1/2 cup fresh sweet cherries, pitted then sliced in half
- 1 Tablespoon sliced almonds
Directions
- Combine oats, water, milk, and banana slices in a saucepan over medium heat. Once simmering, stir and cook until oats are creamy, about 3 minutes, using a spatula to mash banana slices.
- Remove pan from heat then stir in brown sugar, vanilla, and almond extract. Pour into a bowl then top with cherries and almonds.
Nutrition
Nutritional values are estimates only. Please read our full nutrition information disclaimer.
I was looking in my pantry last night and wondering how to use up a big box of oatmeal. Voila! This will be perfect. I can’t wait to try the recipe this weekend!
Made this for this morning! So Good! Thanks Kristin!
This is such a cool recipe! I’m not one for cherries so I would probably put strawberries on it instead. I can’t wait to try this! Oh and the s’mores blizzards from DQ are great! I get mine with chocolate soft serve instead of vanilla :)
I am so bored with my breakfast right now, and I think this oatmeal is just the ticket! I’ve gotten into the greek yogurt with fruit and flaxseed rut, but nothing has actually motivated me to branch out. I must say, cherries, almonds and cookie dough are very compelling.
ps- I hope your beautiful baby arrives soon!
I missed cookie dough the most when I was pregnant! This looks awesome!
Oh my yum! I am an oatmeal lover and this looks incredible. I am definitely enjoying cherry season! Congrats on the soon-to-be bundle of joy! I hope all goes smoothly with the delivery!
Awesome Recipe, mouthwatering just looking at the pictures. Will definatly try this out. Thanks for the Inspiration :)
S’mores blizzards!? How have I been missing out on those!? This oatmeal looks fantastic – I have oatmeal most every morning, but I always need ways to make it a bit more interesting. Hooray for your little guy coming so soon, Kristin!
Baby today?????????
I rarely ever comment on blogs, but had to let you know that I made your BBQ Chicken Salad the other night, and now this oatmeal this morning. Both were fabulous!
My husband was very skeptical of the salad, but has already asked me to include it on our menu for next week. I made the oatmeal this morning, and shared it with my 2 year old. We were both stuffed, but it was so good. I love the addition of the almond extract.
Thanks for the great recipes!!!!
As soon as I read “s’mores blizzard with cookie dough” I HAD to have one. Holy deliciousness. It was life changing.
Just finished eating a bowl of this. Made my morning! Soooo goooood! Thanks for the recipe :)
First congrats on your little guy about to arrive. If you want to make some vegan cookie dough I love this website. Her butternut squash risotto and Brussel Sprout Mac & Cheese is divine. The cupcakes are also so good!
http://www.loveandoliveoil.com/2009/03/chocolate-chip-cookie-dough-cupcakes.html
Congrats again,
Leigh