It’s Christmas, and I am thinking gingerbread. And guess what? Gingerbread isn’t just for cookies, muffins, or breads… With the right ingredients, gingerbread is perfect for a Christmas crock pot breakfast. Topped with pecans, gingersnaps, and drizzled with real cream, this overnight gingerbread baked oatmeal is completely indulgent, fills the air with all the warm, wonderful smells of the holiday while you are sleeping, and is completely ready when you get up! Could it get any better? I say no.
Since breakfast on Christmas morning is one of my favorite meals of the year- everyone in pjs, wrapping paper and ribbon strewn willy nilly all about the living room, “Hark the Herald” in the background, a fire crackling in the fireplace, and family gathered all in one room- a batch of dessert-like overnight gingerbread baked oatmeal is at the top of my Christmas wish list this year.
Overnight Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal (serves 6-8)
Ingredients
- 2.5 C Steel cut oats
- 2 C Milk
- 1 C water
- 1 C Applesauce
- Âľ C Dark brown sugar
- ÂĽ C Molasses
- 2 tsp. Ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp. Baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. salt
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ½ stick Butter
- Pecan halves
- Gingersnaps
- A gingerbread man or two
Process
Grease your 4-5qt. crock pot (I use butter for this job). Add all of the ingredients to the crock pot. Cut the ½ stick butter into several pats and add. Stir the ingredients well, making sure all of the molasses is mixed in and not settled to the bottom of the crock pot. Put the lid on and cook on low 7-8hrs.
Recognize that your Christmas morning is going to be fantastic and celebrate by having a few ginger snaps and gingerbread men.
To serve, top with cream, crushed gingersnaps, and pecans. Add some gingerbread men for a special touch.
My family also likes to serve sausage balls and fruit salad with this to make a Christmas morning breakfast buffet!
Merry Christmas morning to you and yours!
***Pin this gingerbread baked oatmeal recipe here!***
Need more Christmas recipes and inspiration? Check out these ASD favorites!
Those Infamous Neiman Marcus Cookies
The Mini Natchitoches Meat Pies
A Christmas Table to Spread Joy
Christmas Brunch: Green Chile Strata
See this and other great recipes on Meal Plan Monday and Full Plate Thursday!
Overnight Gingerbread Oatmeal
Ingredients
- 2.5 C Steel cut oats
- 2 C Milk
- 1 C water
- 1 C Applesauce
- Âľ C Dark brown sugar
- ÂĽ C Molasses
- 2 tsp. Ground ginger
- 1 ½ tsp. Baking powder
- 1 ½ tsp. Cinnamon
- 1 ½ tsp. vanilla
- 1 tsp. salt
- Pinch of nutmeg
- ½ stick Butter
- Pecan halves
- Gingersnaps
- A gingerbread man or two
Instructions
- Grease your 4-5qt. crock pot.
- Add all of the ingredients to the crock pot. (EXCEPT the pecans, gingersnaps and gingerbread men)
- Cut the ½ stick butter into several pats and add.
- Stir the ingredients well, making sure all of the molasses is mixed in and not settled to the bottom of the crock pot.
- Put the lid on and cook on low 7-8hrs.
Notes
Elaine Smith
can I make this without the steel cut oats?
Hi, Elaine! I have not had good results with regular oats. The steel cut oats have been the only ones that stand up to the duration of the cook time in the crock pot and still have a good texture. I hope this helps! Merry Christmas!
Andee
Hi Stacey…Happy holidays to you and your family. I always love your unique recipes, but have some questions about this one. The answers may seem obvious, but the wording is what threw me. To be clear, the instructions say to add all ingredients to the crockpot…does that mean the gingersnaps and pecans also go in the crockpot? Or just crushed and sprinkled on top after it’s cooked? And if they do go in the crockpot, how many gingersnaps go into the crockpot? Thank you.
Hi, Andee! Merry Christmas to you and yours! That is a great question. The gingersnaps and pecans are used as toppings when the oatmeal is served. I also offer a little pitcher of half and half cream to be poured or drizzled over the oatmeal when served. I hope this helps, and I will make that clearer in the post. I hope you enjoy this recipe. It’s one of our favorites! Cheers!
Andee
Thank you so much Stacey for your kind holiday wishes and the clarification! Looking forward to trying this recipe and can’t wait to see what the house smells like while it’s cooking!
Andee
Anna Smith
Hi Stacy.
This sounds absolutely delicious!
I’m planning on making this for Christmas breakfast.
How many servings does this make?
Hey, Anna! This crock pot recipe feeds 6-8 folks. I can’t wait to hear how you and yours enjoyed this recipe!
Miz Helen
Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal would be a special treat to wake up to on Christmas morning! Hope you have a fantastic week and thanks so much for sharing with Full Plate Thursday.
Merry Christmas
Miz Helen
Thanks, Miz Helen! We certainly love it around here!
Leanne @ Healthful Pursuit
Mouthwatering! Will definitely try this!
Thanks, Leanne! I think you will definitely love it. It is a favorite around here!
BoBo
I have to try this!!! Sounds delicious!!! 🙂 Thansk for sharing!
Yes! I love waking up with this yummy smell filling the house! You will love it!
Rachel
This sounds just heavenly!! I can smell and picture Christmas morning with all the warmth and joy it brings. Thanks for sharing!!
Thank you, Rachel! Yes! And the best part is that it cooks itself, and we don’t miss out on any of the Christmas fun!