If ever there was a dish that blurred the lines between breakfast and dessert, this recipe is it. The three main ingredients – apples, oats, and seeds/nuts – are the makings of a healthy start to your day. But in this recipe these ordinary ingredients are transformed into something truly decadent, sure to please dessert lovers. I used a little molasses and organic pure cane sugar for a caramel flavor, but feel free to use any sugar you have on hand. The texture of this is luxuriously smooth, and the egg gives it a custard-like quality, which is why I decided to caramelize a little brown sugar on top (crème brûlée, anyone?…no torch needed! ;) )
This sort of double-duty recipe is perfect for the holidays. It can be served for breakfast or dessert, and tastes great at any temperature. (Served warm it’s more reminiscent of oats and served chilled it feels more custard-y.) Reheating is a snap too…just pop it back in the oven until warm.
I’m taking a short break from blogging until next Sunday to spend some time with my family, but then I’ll be back to my regular posting and commenting. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday! Merry Christmas Everyone!
A Note on the Apples: There’s no need to peel the apples before cooking them down, since they’ll be pureed anyway. In the final product any pieces of peel that may be there aren’t noticeable.
Baked Caramel-Apple Custard Oats
(Yield: 10 servings)
8 c apples, washed, cored, and chopped but not peeled (or 3 c unsweetened applesauce)
2 c rolled oats
1 c sunflower seeds, toasted (you can use any nuts you like, such as walnuts, pecans, almonds, etc.)
1/2 tsp kosher salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/3 tsp fresh grated nutmeg
2 TB molasses
About 1/4 c organic pure cane sugar (or any sugar you have on hand; you can use more or less, depending on how sweet your apples are)
1 egg
2 1/2 tsp brown sugar (for topping)
Butter, to grease the ramekins
10 (6 oz) oven-safe ramekins
Preheat oven to 350F. Grease the ramekins with butter. Heat the apples on medium heat (covered) for 20-30 minutes, until they turn into a chunky applesauce (you should end up with about 3 c applesauce). Once the applesauce is cooled slightly, transfer it to a blender or food processor and process until smooth (there will still be small bits of apple skin; don’t worry, they won’t be noticeable in the final product).
Pulverize the oats and sunflower seeds in a blender or food processor until they form a fine powder; pulse in the salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg to combine. Transfer the applesauce and the oat mixture to a bowl; add the molasses, then add sugar to taste (start with about 1/4 c sugar). Beat in the egg. Divide the mixture between the ramekins and place 1/4 tsp brown sugar on top of each. Bake for about 12 minutes until they’re set, then broil for about 2 minutes until the brown sugar on top is caramelized (watch them closely while they’re in the broiler).
Serve hot, warm, or chilled.
I’m Faith Gorsky, the writer, cook, and photographer behind An Edible Mosaic. My goal is to inspire you to get in the kitchen and try something new! Feel free to 
That looks like breakfast for me in a cheating on my diet kinda way. But really, this is one of those times where I would really like to make this staight away.
This oatmeal looks great. Love caramel and apples together.
I hope you had a wonderful Christmas!
Oh this sounds beyond delicious! Great treat.
Happy holidays to you.
amazing oat combo! YUM YUM~~~
Merry Christmas! :D
Oh Miss Faith, these oats sound soooooo very good. I love that blurry line between breakfast and dessert! How smart to make that brulée topping. I could eat these with or without that. Anything with nuts and oats is great eats in my book. Thanks for the method photos, very helpful! Happy Holidays! We will miss u…..see u Sunday :)
faith…AMAZING! this sounds completely and totally right up my alley!
lots of love to you – have an AMAZING christmas, relax, enjoy and have WAY TOO MUCH FUN! :)
Mmmm this sounds like a perfectly decadent breakfast for the holidays! And creme brulee top….sign me UP! Have a fun time with your family and happy holidays!
My daughter loves cinnamon apple oatmeal. I will make this recipe for her. I am sure that she will love it for breakfast or dessert! Nice and healthy is a big plus, especially at this time of year :)
Merry Christmas Faith! Enjoy the time with your family!
That’s like apple pie without the guilt!
Faith
Great recipe, my kids love dessert for breakfast!
Have a wonderful Christmas.
Mimi
You make the most decadent oats! I love this! What a treat. Merry Christmas!
Faith what a recipe to leave us on! :D It’s dessert but breakfast in one (a category I wholly adore). I hope you and your friends and family have a gorgeous holiday season and I look forward to seeing what other delicious goodies you tempt us with! xxx
OMG. That’s the PERFECT after-Christmas brunch, right there. It sounds terrific!
Please be back soon! I’ll miss ya!
These look awesome!!! I was just telling my friend how you make the BEST oat recipes. She book marked all of them :) I can’t wait to try this! Have a Merry Christmas and can’t wait to see your new post when you come back :)
oh man, now that is what I call a great christmas dessert :)
A delicious breakfast idea! Have a wonderful break and happy holidays!
you’ve left us with one whammy of a recipe here–it sounds absolutely amazing. happy holidays, faith!
Another wonderful dish! I love your posts.
Enjoy your break and we’ll catch up next week… ;)
This looks great! I love all of the key ingredients on their own, so I think this would be a fantastic combination!
Have a safe and happy holiday!
What a gorgeous treat!! I hope you have a fabulous Christmas :)
long time eh? was on my vacation! :) faith this is fantastic!!! soo healthy and delish!! perfect for the X’mas holidays :) merry Christmas to you! :)
Hi Sweet Friend!
This sounds and looks amazing! I shouldn’t visit with you first thing in the morning…I’m hungry now!
Wishing you a very Merry Christmas, I hope its full of love and joy!
Hugs,
Karyn
A very merry Christmas to you too! And I gotta say, these oats have been taken to a whole new level of delish because you baked them & bruleed them. Sweet!