Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal with Pears and Pecans Recipe
This Gingerbread Baked Oatmeal is a warm, comforting breakfast dish perfect for chilly mornings. Infused with aromatic spices like cinnamon and ginger, sweetened naturally with maple syrup and molasses, and studded with juicy pears and crunchy toasted pecans, it offers a deliciously wholesome start to your day. Baked to a perfect golden brown, it’s creamy, hearty, and easy to prepare in under an hour.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 9 servings
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2 ¾ cups old-fashioned rolled oats (285 g)
- 1 ¼ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
Wet Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons pure maple syrup (53 g)
- 2 tablespoons molasses (40 g)
- ½ cup unsweetened applesauce (115 g)
- 2 large eggs
- 1 ¼ cups milk (300 g)
- ¼ cup melted butter or coconut oil (60 g)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
Add-ins and Toppings
- 1 cup finely diced pear (115 g), plus additional slices for topping (1–2 pears)
- ¼ cup chopped pecans, plus more for topping toasted, divided
Optional for Serving
- Plain or vanilla yogurt
- Whipped cream
- Maple syrup
- Toasted pecans
- Ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Dish: Preheat your oven to 375℉ (190℃). Lightly mist a 9×9 or 8×8-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray to prevent sticking.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large bowl, stir together the rolled oats, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, baking powder, salt, pure maple syrup, molasses, unsweetened applesauce, eggs, milk, melted butter (or coconut oil), and vanilla bean paste until fully combined.
- Fold in Pears and Pecans: Gently fold in the finely diced pears along with ¼ cup of the toasted pecans, ensuring even distribution without overmixing.
- Transfer Batter to Baking Dish: Pour the oatmeal mixture into the prepared baking dish. Top with additional pear slices and extra toasted pecans for added texture and flavor.
- Bake: Place the dish in the oven and bake until the center is set and the top is lightly golden, about 30 to 35 minutes.
- Cool Slightly Before Serving: Remove the baked oatmeal from the oven and let it sit for 10 minutes to cool and set further.
- Serve and Garnish: Serve warm, garnished as desired with plain or vanilla yogurt, whipped cream, maple syrup, toasted pecans, or a sprinkle of ground cinnamon for extra indulgence.
Notes
- Use unsweetened applesauce as a natural sweetener and to keep the oatmeal moist.
- You can substitute melted butter with coconut oil for a dairy-free version.
- Make sure to toast pecans before adding to enhance flavor and crunch.
- Letting the baked oatmeal rest after baking helps it firm up for easier slicing and serving.
- Optional toppings like yogurt, whipped cream, or extra maple syrup add extra richness and flavor.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and reheat before serving.
