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    Home » Breakfast

    Birthday Cake Overnight Oats

    Published: Mar 27, 2022 by Samantha Ensinger · 15 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    These birthday cake overnight oats have a rich and delicious vanilla cake batter flavor that is simply irresistible. You only need a few healthy ingredients to make this recipe, and no yogurt is required. These oats are completely vegan and gluten-free, but you can't tell by how good they taste! Once you try them, you'll be hooked.

    a glass jar filled with birthday cake overnight oats with rainbow sprinkles with whipped cream on top with sprinkles.

    It doesn't have to be your birthday (or anyone's birthday) to enjoy these birthday cake overnight oats. They make a fun and festive breakfast all year and once you taste them, you'll definitely be making these more often than just on your birthday.

    This oatmeal is inspired by my vegan protein overnight oats recipe, which is another delicious way to enjoy oatmeal sometime!

    Jump to:
    • Why You'll Love These Oats
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-Step Instructions
    • Expert Oatmeal Tips
    • Overnight Oats Flavor Variations
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Storing & Freezing
    • More Breakfast Recipes
    • Recipe

    Why You'll Love These Oats

    • Cake batter flavor - The flavor of these oats is incredible. They resemble a vanilla cake batter flavor, like dessert for breakfast!
    • Healthy ingredients - You only need 10 ingredients for this recipe. They're all healthy for you and provide lots of protein and fiber in the oatmeal.
    • No yogurt - A lot of overnight oat recipes use yogurt, but no yogurt is needed in this recipe. These oats are dairy-free, gluten-free, and vegan.
    • Easy to make - You can whip up a big batch of these overnight oats in just 5 minutes and once they thicken, you can eat them for breakfast all week! Super easy.

    Ingredients

    The ingredients for the oats are so simple you probably have most of them in your kitchen already. Truly, it's such an easy recipe!

    all ingredients to make the overnight oats placed in small white dishes on a marble surface.

    Here are some helpful notes on the ingredients, including substitutions you can make in a pinch. Remember to see the recipe card for a full list of ingredients and quantities.

    • Gluten-free rolled oats - Use certified gluten-free rolled oats (or old-fashioned oats) to make the overnight oats gluten-free. Steel-cut oats do not work well in this recipe. Quick oats may work but are not recommended.
    • Chia seeds - Chia seeds add fiber and absorb liquid in the oats. They are super healthy for you! You can add more than one tablespoon of chia seeds if you want extra health benefits, but be mindful the oats will thicken a lot more.
    • Ground flaxseed - Use ground flaxseed, not whole flax seeds. This adds healthy Omega 3's and fiber to the oatmeal to start your morning strong.
    • Almond milk - You can use any unsweetened plant milk in this recipe. Almond milk, cashew milk, soy milk, and oat milk are all great options.
    • Maple syrup - Make sure to use 100% pure maple syrup to sweeten the oatmeal. Honey can be used if you aren't vegan.
    • Almond butter - Use natural, creamy almond butter without stabilizers for the healthiest oatmeal. Almond butter helps add the cake batter flavor! You may also use cashew butter, but peanut butter may be too overpowering.
    • Vanilla & almond extract - Don't leave these out! These pure extracts provide that rich, delicious birthday cake flavor in the oatmeal. If you don't have almond extract, replace it with more vanilla extract or butter extract.
    • Sprinkles - I recommend using rainbow "Jimmie" sprinkles for the festive birthday cake look, but most sprinkles work just fine! Keep in mind if you use the tiny, round, nonpareil rainbow sprinkles, the color will bleed and turn the oats a purple shade.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    It only takes 5 minutes to mix up the overnight oats. You just need one large mixing bowl and a spoon. That's it!

    a collage of four images, demonstrating mixing the oats, adding wet ingredients, and mixing in sprinkles.

    STEP 1: Stir dry ingredients. Add the gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, and salt to a big mixing bowl and stir everything together until evenly combined.

    STEP 2: Add wet ingredients. Next, add the plant milk, almond butter, maple syrup, and pure extracts to the bowl of dry ingredients. Stir vigorously until the almond butter is distributed evenly and you have a creamy oatmeal mixture. It may seem "runny," but it will thicken overnight. Don't mix in the sprinkles yet!

    STEP 3: Chill the oats. Cover the mixing bowl with plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place it in the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours. Chilling them overnight will allow them to thicken even more.

    STEP 4: Stir in sprinkles. After the oats have chilled, gently stir in the sprinkles. Try not to mix them too much or the sprinkles could break and bleed color into the oats.

    two images showing the cake batter oats in small jars and topping them with coconut whipped cream.

    STEP 5: Transfer the oatmeal. I recommend transferring the oatmeal into two small jars for serving, but you can use small bowls or other containers.

    STEP 6: Add toppings and serve. Top the birthday cake overnight oats with a dollop of dairy-free coconut whipped cream and some extra sprinkles. You can also try adding some fresh fruit or berries. Then grab a spoon and dig in!

    TIP: If you're saving some oatmeal for later, it's best not to add toppings until right before serving to keep things fresh.

    Expert Oatmeal Tips

    • Don't shorten the chill time - These are called overnight oats for reason, and they need time to set up in the fridge to properly thicken. Let them chill for at least four hours if you want that thick and creamy oatmeal texture.
    • Freshen oats with a splash of milk - After the oats have chilled overnight, you can "freshen them up" with a splash of plant milk or water. This is especially helpful if the oats have thickened too much for your personal preference.
    • Be cautious using quick oats - For best results, use rolled oats or old-fashioned oats. These oats are thicker and "heartier" and work well in overnight oat recipes. Quick oats are thinner, lighter, and don't absorb liquid as well.
    • Add sprinkles after chilling - Don't add the sprinkles to the oatmeal until they have chilled. The color from the sprinkles can bleed into the oats if they are mixed in before the oatmeal has a chance to thicken.
    two jars of birthday overnight oats with whipped cream and sprinkles on top. They are sitting on a wire tray.

    Overnight Oats Flavor Variations

    These birthday cake oats are super delicious as is, but here are some other fun flavor variations you can try sometime:

    • Coconut milk overnight oats - Replace the almond milk with unsweetened coconut milk for a refreshing coconut birthday cake flavor.
    • Extra cake batter flavor - For the best cake batter flavor in the overnight oats, add ½ teaspoon butter extract. This adds a rich, buttery cake flavor!
    • High-protein overnight oats - Consider adding 1-2 tablespoons of vanilla plant-based protein powder if you want to make high-protein oats. You may need to add an extra splash of milk. You can also add more almond butter, but the flavor may change and taste not as much like cake.
    • Sweeter oats - Add an additional tablespoon of pure maple syrup if you prefer sweeter oats for breakfast. They might not be quite as thick.

    For a totally different flavor, give this vegan carrot cake oatmeal a try.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Are overnight oats good for you?

    Yes! Overnight oats are very healthy and good for you, especially when they are made with healthy ingredients. These overnight oats are gluten-free and vegan, packed with healthy fiber, protein, and fat to keep you satisfied.

    Are these birthday cake overnight oats low calorie?

    There are approximately 538 calories in one serving of these birthday cake overnight oats, which keeps you full all morning!

    What type of milk is best for overnight oats?

    Unsweetened almond milk or cashew milk works best in overnight oats, but you may also use unsweetened coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk.

    How much protein is in these overnight oats?

    There are approximately 13 grams of protein and 12 grams of fiber in one serving of these overnight oats. You can add plant-based protein powder or additional almond butter if you want to increase the protein.

    a spoonful of oatmeal with sprinkles and whipped cream on the spoon. It has a creamy texture.

    Storing & Freezing

    Store leftover oats in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Wait to add toppings right before serving for maximum freshness. I do not recommend freezing the oatmeal due to the high moisture content and difficulty thawing the oats.

    How long do overnight oats last?

    Overnight oats will last in the fridge for 2-3 days when kept in an airtight container. Small mason jars with lids are the perfect way to store overnight oats easily!

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    Did you make these birthday cake overnight oats? I would really appreciate it if you could leave a star rating and review below. If you post a photo and tag me on Instagram, I would love to share it! Remember to join my email list and follow me on Pinterest to stay updated with new and exclusive recipes.

    Recipe

    two jars of birthday cake overnight oats.

    Birthday Cake Overnight Oats

    Samantha Ensinger
    These birthday cake overnight oats are vegan, gluten-free, and made with healthy ingredients. No yogurt is needed for these oats to have a thick, creamy texture. They have such a delicious cake batter flavor that is irresistible! This recipe is so easy to make and you can enjoy the oats for breakfast all week long.
    4.93 from 13 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 mins
    Chill Time 4 hrs
    Total Time 4 hrs 5 mins
    Course Breakfast, Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine American
    Servings 2 small jars
    Calories 538 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Large Mixing Bowl
    • 1 Mixing Spoon
    • Plastic Wrap or Aluminum Foil for covering the oats
    • 2 Jars or Bowls for serving

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 ½ cups gluten-free old-fashioned oats or rolled oats
    • 1 tablespoon chia seeds
    • 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
    • ¼ teaspoon salt
    • 1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk or other plant milk
    • 2 tablespoons natural creamy almond butter or cashew butter
    • 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup
    • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon pure almond extract or butter extract
    • 3 tablespoons sprinkles I use rainbow Jimmies

    Optional Toppings

    • coconut whipped cream
    • sprinkles
    • fresh berries

    Instructions
     

    • In a large mixing bowl, stir together the gluten-free oats, chia seeds, flaxseed, and salt until combined.
      1 ½ cups gluten-free old-fashioned oats, 1 tablespoon chia seeds, 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed, ¼ teaspoon salt
    • Add the almond milk, almond butter, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the bowl. Stir vigorously until all ingredients are well-incorporated.
      1 ½ cups unsweetened almond milk, 2 tablespoons natural creamy almond butter, 2 tablespoons 100% pure maple syrup, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon pure almond extract
    • Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to thicken.
    • Remove the oatmeal from the fridge and gently stir in the sprinkles. Transfer the oatmeal to small jars or bowls for serving.
      3 tablespoons sprinkles
    • Top the overnight oats with coconut whipped cream and additional sprinkles, if desired. Enjoy!
      coconut whipped cream, sprinkles, fresh berries

    Notes

    Store leftover oats in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days.
    It's best to store oatmeal without toppings. Add toppings right before serving to keep things fresh.
    See the full blog post for notes on ingredient substitutions and flavor variations.
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Autumn says

      March 27, 2022 at 8:34 pm

      5 stars
      Wow, you weren’t kidding! I was pleasantly surprised by how strong the cake batter flavor was in these oats! It definitely tastes like birthday cake and I love that the ingredients are so healthy too. You can’t tell that they are vegan by the taste. My kids will love these oats for breakfast!!

      Reply
      • Shanna says

        April 14, 2022 at 6:43 pm

        Did you use butter extract or almond extract? I don’t have butter extract and wondering whether I should try to find it…

        Reply
        • Autumn says

          April 14, 2022 at 6:48 pm

          Hey Shanna, I used almond extract. I think the almond extract really added some of that birthday cake flavor but I've also made this recipe again since my first comment, with just vanilla extract, and it was super delicious that way too! I have not tried it with butter extract yet but the oats tasted great both times no matter if I used all vanilla extract or added almond extract. Hope that helps!!

    2. Holly says

      March 28, 2022 at 8:10 am

      5 stars
      These oats came out perfect! The cake batter flavor is spot on and my daughter loved this super cute breakfast on her birthday morning!

      Reply
    3. Kalin says

      March 28, 2022 at 8:59 am

      5 stars
      These look so much fun and sound delicious!

      Reply
    4. Stephanie says

      March 28, 2022 at 9:29 am

      5 stars
      Adding these to my breakfast rotation! This breakfast is sure to get me out of bed on a Monday morning and put a smile on my face before work!!

      Reply
    5. Shelby says

      March 28, 2022 at 10:33 am

      5 stars
      My kiddos thought having this for breakfast was such a treat! It came out so creamy!

      Reply
    6. Anaiah says

      March 28, 2022 at 7:32 pm

      5 stars
      Yum! I ain't ever had overnight oats like this before. It's such a treat for breakfast!

      Reply
    7. Gina Abernathy says

      March 28, 2022 at 9:49 pm

      5 stars
      I'll take birthday cake "oats" any day of the week. Wonderful flavor!

      Reply
    8. Jacqui says

      March 28, 2022 at 10:18 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is a great way to start your birthday or surprise a family member. Super delicious and simple to make!

      Reply
    9. nancy says

      March 29, 2022 at 1:08 pm

      5 stars
      these overnight oats just had a party. SO CUTE ! i even got my kid to eat it

      Reply
    10. Sabrina says

      April 03, 2022 at 11:10 am

      5 stars
      THESE ARE AMAZING! I am a creature of habit and have my usual overnight oat recipes so I was skeptical to try this but, I have to same. I’m obsessed. Even better, my 18-Month old can’t get enough!!

      Reply
    11. Stacey says

      April 06, 2022 at 1:38 pm

      4 stars
      I made this for my kids for breakfast. They liked it!

      Reply
    12. Karole says

      April 07, 2022 at 3:38 pm

      5 stars
      This recipe is worth celebrating! 😉 The almond extract is the perfect touch for a unique and truly cake-like flavor. Will be making again and again. Yum!

      Reply
    13. Roni says

      April 19, 2022 at 12:32 pm

      5 stars
      So yummy! I’m pregnant and trying to avoid devouring so much sugar and this is really hitting the spot. So easy to make and grab when I’m working too.

      Reply

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    Samantha, owner of savor the spoonful

    Hi, I'm Samantha! I created Savor The Spoonful during my sophomore year of college with the goal of sharing dietary-friendly recipes that are truly delicious. I'm passionate about inspiring others to live a life without food rules and dieting. That means enjoying desserts like these, and having fun while doing so. Learn more about me.

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