This Black Forest Baked Oatmeal is full of chocolate and cherry goodness. It's a healthy breakfast version of the original cake.
I love holiday traditions (like my annual Christmas light ride that you might have read about in my Gingerbread Hot Chocolate post). When I think of a country that reminds me the most of Christmas, I think of Germany because many of our holiday traditions like the Christmas tree and Santa Claus come from there.
Side note - is it weird I had to look up how to spell Santa Claus? The "Claus" didn't look right but I guess it's correct (since it's German). I must have been spelling it wrong for years!
German Traditions
Germany is one of my favorite places to visit. A few years ago I traveled to the Black Forest with my mom and was very disappointed that I couldn't have its signature dessert full of chocolate, cherries, and whipped cream.
When I was thinking of recipes to create for the holidays, I wanted to create a recipe that reminded me of a German Christmas but would also be healthy. And because so many people liked my Baked Pumpkin Oatmeal I thought I'd do a holiday version, so I came up with a Black Forest Baked Oatmeal.
Black Forest Baked Oatmeal Nutrition
My Black Forest Baked Oatmeal can either be a festive breakfast or healthy dessert - either way it's tasty. The oats are filling and provide fiber, protein and complex carbohydrates.
Sure this might be a bit of an indulgence for breakfast with the maple syrup and coconut whipped cream topping but what fun is being perfect all the time? It's the holiday season!
If you make this recipe, let me know what you think by ★ star rating it and leaving a comment below.
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📖 Recipe
Black Forest Baked Oatmeal
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup oats (gf if needed)
- pinch of salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 Tablespoon cacao/cocoa powder
- ½ cup non-dairy milk (I used almond)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup frozen sweet cherries , thawed a bit and chopped
- 1 Tablespoon maple syrup (as topping)
COCONUT WHIPPED CREAM (can make ahead of time)
- 1 can coconut milk , placed in refrigerator overnight
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 Tablespoons powdered sugar (optional but makes it sweeter)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350.
- Add oats, salt, baking powder and cacao powder in a bowl and mix with fork so everything is incorporated.
- Then add milk, vanilla extract and cherries and mix again.
- Put oat mixture into 2 baking dishes or ramekins (or 1 if you're making a larger portion) and bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile make the coconut whipped cream by opening the cooled coconut milk can and scooping out the hardened white part (leave the liquid-y part*).
- In a large bowl, whip the hardened coconut cream, vanilla, and powdered sugar on high until peaks form. Coconut whipped cream will last about 3-4 days in the fridge but you'll have to stir or re-whip it to get the same consistency.
- Top baked oatmeal with 1 TB of maple syrup, some coconut cream and a cherry!
Notes
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional information data is computer generated and only an estimate so it should be used only as a guide.
Mary Ellen Valverde MS, CNS, LDN is a Licensed Nutritionist and Certified Nutrition Specialist who empowers vegans to feel clear and confident about what is uniquely nourishing to them. Mary Ellen's recipes and nutrition information have been featured on Yahoo News, Parade, VegNews, LIVESTRONG, Dr. Axe, Greatist, LIVEKINDLY, Brit+Co, Well+Good, and more.
Mary Ellen says
Let me know if you try it Kathryn!
awhiskandtwowands says
Black Forest Cake is one of my favorite desserts! I use to make an oatmeal inspired by it but it's been a long time. This looks amazing, I need to make it soon!
Rachel says
Cute! And tasty!
fitfoodiemama says
Drooling! I love the combo of cherries and chocolate!
frieddandelions says
This looks delicious—I bet it would be a hit with my kids!!! I went to Austria at Christmastime with my high school choir MANY years ago and it was so gorgeous! Love all of the Christmas markets! The pictures you have been posting are making me want to visit again!!!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Christine!
Mary Ellen says
It was fun going into the black forest. I felt like I was in Grimm's fairytale or something. 🙂
Let me know if you try it! Thanks Kimmy!
Courtney's Cookbook says
Oh, I love this! I'm already a sucker for baked oatmeal, and black forest ANYTHING is a special favorite. 🙂
Randi Tisdall says
OMG you are a photo WIZARD Mary Ellen lol! Seriously these pics are amazing- makes me want to try this RIGHT NOW. Love how you used Germany to inspire you to make this, hope you are enjoying your trip!! Sending lots of love and hugs:)
Christine @ Run Plant Based says
This sounds wonderful, perfect for a celebration breakfast. Thanks!
Kimmythevegan says
Ok... I've totally been spelling Santa Claus wrong haha 😉
That's so awesome that you got to go to the Black Forest! I'll be honest - I was never a huge black forest dessert person, but this sounds SO MUCH BETTER! Especially with the coconut whipped cream. And they turned out so beautifully! I can't wait to try this (probably this weekend!).
Mary Ellen says
Going to the Black Forest made me feel like I was I was in a Grimm's fairytale. I thought I would be taken by an old witch or something at any moment - so fun!
Thanks so much Kimmy, let me know if you try it!
Kimmythevegan says
I finally got around to trying your baked oatmeal this morning and it was fanfreakingtastic!!! Wow! I am not a huge cherry person, but it's Terry's favourite. And I wasn't sure I felt like making the whipped cream topping as it's such a rainy/lazy day today, but it totally brought it to the next level!
YUM
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much for letting me know! I am so happy you liked it!!! That made my day Kimmy!
Mel | avirtualvegan.com says
I love Black Forest anything. What a great idea to make baked oatmeal in that flavour. It looks gorgeous!
Mary Ellen says
Aw, thanks Mel! 🙂
Julie @ Running in a Skirt says
Ohhhhh what a lovely recipe! Love the rich chocolate in it!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Julie! <3
Dianne says
Black forest has always been a favorite of mine, so I need to make this ASAP!
Mary Ellen says
Let me know what you think Dianne!
Heidi says
TThis sounds amazing, and I love Germany too! ☺
Just curious, what does the baking powder do for this recipe? I've not seen it added to oatmeal before
Mary Ellen says
Thanks Heidi! I throw a little baking powder in to make it a little fluffier. ?
Jenn says
LOVE cherries in just about anything. This looks like such a delicious breakfast. Yum!
Mary Ellen says
Thank you so much Jenn! <3
Cadry's Kitchen says
It's one of my dreams to go to Germany during Christmastime. It seems so picturesque and festive during that time of year. I've never had black forest cake, but your baked oatmeal version sounds wonderful!
Mary Ellen says
Thanks so much Cadry! I'm actually in Germany now and the Christmas markets are so wonderful! I'll have pictures on instagram and I'll do a blog post about it!
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day says
I used to love black forest cake when I was a kid! My mom bought the frozen kind. I think it was Sarah Lee. I'm sure your oatmeal is a lot better, not to mention healthier!
Mary Ellen says
Oh, I never saw the Sarah Lee kind. I'm sure I would have loved back in the day. Thanks so much Amy! <3
Becky says
I love when breakfast tastes like dessert!
Mary Ellen says
Yes! They make the best breakfasts!