Orange & chocolate oatmeal cakes

Ok, it's time for some healthy-ish treats.

I don't know about you but this 2021 for me didn't start with any New year's resolution to eat healthy or exercise, I just asked myself to be patient and well, try not to lose my mind.

However, even though I haven't completely lost my mind, my (already weak) stomach has definitely given up xD

Long story short, if you are anything like me and you need and idea for an healthy-ish breakfast you might try these chocolate and orange oatmeal cakes.

This recipe starts by making oatmeal with fresh orange juice which I found odd but it gives a great texture to these cakes and it only yields 3-4 portions so you don't need to worry about overeating or leftovers.

And yes, if you are feeling particularly healthy you can skip the chocolate topping, it will be super delicious anyway.

I adapted the recipe from One Dish Kitchen but you can also read my version below.

Give it a try, you won't be disappointed :)

INGREDIENTS:

• 120g fresh orange juice (about 2 oranges)

• 21g rolled oats or quick oats

• 62g all purpose flour

• 50g granulated sugar

• 1 large egg (room temperature)

• 28g melted butter

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda

• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract*

--- TOPPINGS ---

• Dark chocolate

• Milk

• Orange zest

DIRECTIONS:

1. Make the oatmeal with fresh orange juice: bring orange juice to a simmer in a saucepan. Then stir in the oats and cook for about 5 minutes, mixing occasionally, until they soften and thicken (if you are using quick oats you will probably need less than 5 minutes).

2. Remove from the heat and set aside to cool.

3. Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C) and prepare a small cake pan or, in my case, a silicone mould with 5 hemispheres.

4. In a bowl add all purpose flour, baking soda and sugar; mix with a hand whisk and leave it aside.

5. In another bowl whisk together the egg, melted butter and vanilla extract.

6. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients with a rubber spatula and pour the batter in the prepared mould.

7. Bake for about 18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the muffins comes out clean.

8. Let them cool completely and then remove from the moulds.

9. Melt dark chocolate with a splash of milk on a double boiler or in the microwave and spread it on the surface of the cakes. Garnish with orange zest.

10. Enjoy :)

RECIPE NOTES:

• You can use vanillina (vanilla powder) if you can't find vanilla extract.

• If you want you can substitute melted butter with 25g of oil.

• I'm using this silicone mould but you can also use a 5-inch (12cm) square pan or 3 ramekins if you want.

RECIPE CARD:

If you make it let me know! :)