A big, fat sugar cookie.
But softer and chewier, and much more filling!
This was the delicious breakfast I made on Sunday, in honor of Christmas. As I prepared my morning oats, the box of Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea sat on the counter, staring me straight in the face. (See, sometimes a messy counter can be a good thing.) I had no idea if adding the tea would impart any noticeable flavor, but isn’t that the whole point of experimenting? To see what happens? In this case, what happened was a bowl of creamy oatmeal, remeniscent of a sweet sugar cookie. Merry Christmas, indeed.
(Breakfast was festive last year, too: Zucchini Bread Oatmeal.)
Sugar Cookie Oatmeal
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 cup water
- 1/2 cup milk of choice (I used almond milk)
- 2 Celestial Seasonings sugar cookie teabags (feel free to change the flavor by using any favorite tea)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract
- sweetener of choice, as desired
- optional: coconut butter or oil, or vegan butter (You can easily omit this. But I liked the extra buttery flavor I got by stirring a little virgin coconut oil into my oats.)
Heat the water and milk, then add the teabags and let sit for at least 15 minutes. Right before taking the teabags out, smush them a little with a fork so more of the flavor goes into the milk. Combine the liquid with the oats and salt, then microwave for 3 minutes. (If it starts to boil over, you can stop the microwave and keep heating in ten-second increments until the time is up. But don’t open the microwave door!)
Let the oatmeal sit in the closed microwave for 5 minutes, then transfer–uncovered—to the fridge. It gets thicker as it sits. (I made this, then went running for a little over an hour. It was the perfect texture by the time I got back. Bit if you want to eat this immediately, just use a little less water.) Right before eating, add your vanilla and sweetener (and oil, if using).
View Sugar Cookie Oatmeal Nutrition Info
You can make this the night before if you prefer: just add a splash of milk before reheating the next day. Also, feel free to make this on the stovetop instead of the microwave.
By the time I finished breakfast, everyone else was finally starting to wake up. So I parked myself in front of the tree to open presents. (And then I was forced to move, because Batman kept jumping into my lap and trying to lick my face. Ick… puppy kisses! Some presents, I’m not so sure I want.)
My sister’s gift to me included a bunch of colored sugars, to feed my cupcake-decorating habit. Or maybe I can use the colored sugars the next time I make sugar cookie oatmeal. It was so good that I’m definitely planning to make it again soon!
Do you like unusual oatmeal flavors?
Or do you prefer traditional oatmeal mix-ins? I know I’ve posted some outlandish oatmeal recipes, but my everyday breakfasts can actually be pretty simple– basic oats with raisins, or with a big spoonful of coconut butter and some cinnamon mixed in. Still, sometimes it’s fun to go a little crazy…
One of my crazier recipes: Chocolate Hugs Strawberry Oatmeal.
Gina @ Running to the Kitchen says
I can’t tell you how long I’ve been looking for the Celestial Seasonings sugar cookie tea…FOREVER and I cannot find it anywhere around me. It’s so, so sad 🙁
Nadiya says
You can buy the teas online from the company’s website http://www.celestialseasonings.com . They’ve got a huge variety of flavours too 😛
Krissy says
If you go to amazon, you can order it in two days! That’s where I just got mine from and it’s not even holiday season!
BakeMeABallerina says
I got mine from target
katie @KatieDid says
I’ve infused tea into frosting before as well as applesauce. I love the subtle hint of flavor it gives off without being over powering. Sounds like a delicious addition to your breakfast. I don’t eat oatmeal very often actually but when I do I keep it super simple with just butter and a pinch of salt and cinnamon.
Ashley @ Southern Purple Vegan says
Yum this oatmeal sounds delicious! My unusual flavor is dark chocolate oatmeal with blueberries and a dash of cayenne pepper.
Rebecca @ Naturally Healthy and Gorgeous says
My favorite oatmeal has pumpkin and blackstrap molasses added to it!
Katie @ Peace Love & Oats says
I definitely love experimenting with different oatmeal flavors! My favorite though are my pumpkin protein oats! Can’t go wrong with pumpkin.
Michaela says
I cannot believe you have tried that! I have thinking about that for absolute ages! Nice to hear it totally works 😉
I love all things oatmeal. Period.
Maria @ Beautiful Busy Bee says
I love unusual oatmeal flavors! I saw those holiday tea bags at the grocery store so I think I’m going to take your recipe and use it for all those flavors! They have gingerbread. Happy holidays!
Nicole K. says
I’m so glad to see that you tried the tea bag technique! I usually have a basic bowl of oatmeal with banana and cinnamon mixed in, because sometimes I can get a little crazy with experimenting. As in, I may or may not have had to stop myself making a weeks supply of oatmeal in one day… What can I say, I love trying new flavors!
Meg says
I LOVE making things using tea bags! Last winter I was all about the Sugar Cookie Sleigh ride in my breakfast 🙂
Maria @ runningcupcake says
I have tried that with chai tea before and it is yummy. I should try it with other teabags too- thanks for that. Also I like doing that to flavour icing and cakes- I made some lovely chai tea cupcakes that way 🙂
Aja says
I wish I liked oatmeal because this sounds so good!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I bet you could do it with cold cereal too! Tea-infused milk poured over the cold cereal, as opposed to regular milk?
Susan says
Do you like Cream of Wheat or Malt-O-Meal? Works with them too 🙂
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I will have to try it! Love your idea :).
Anna @ The Guiltless Life says
This really sounds wonderful. I am getting so upset seeing all these sugar cookie flavoured recipes in the blogosphere made with this tea because it is the one holiday flavour of Celestial Seasonings’ that is not available in Canada! 🙁 As soon as I can I need to get over the border into Washington and hope there’s still some available somewhere! xxx
Kristine @ Busy But Healthy says
I know! I’m in Canada too, and so bummed out we can’t get this flavor!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Maybe online?
Or, you could try it with a different brand… I think any vanilla-flavored tea might be nice! As long as you like the flavor of the tea, of course ;).
Amanda M says
Flavoring your oatmeal with teabags……………… GENIUS!!! I feel some experimenting coming on! I am a little sad that I didn’t read this before I ate my breakfast this morning, otherwise I would’ve given it a try! But I am not TOO sad, because my breakfast was chocolate oatmeal 😉 Maybe I will have oatmeal again for lunch! Totally acceptable, right? 😉
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Haha of course!
Erin says
I actually bought the sugar cookie tea last year, but couldn’t stand the taste 🙁 maybe if I still have some tea bags left I can see if I like it better in oatmeal, haha 🙂
Jess says
YUM this looks so good!!!! I don’t have Sugar Cookie tea but I do have Celestial Seasonings Apple Spice. Could that work?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
If you try it, let me know how it tastes! I just bought the sugar plum one, to try that.
I think the apple spice would be good if you added some cinnamon! 🙂
Jess says
I tried the Cinnamon Apple Spice tea in the oatmeal and it was AMAZING! I followed your recipe and then just added 1 tsp. of cinnamon after reheating it in the morning – thanks for the great idea!
Heather @ Run Eat Play says
It’s so funny that you and your sister look like twins! My hubby and his brother look identical too, and they’re 3 years apart.
I love oatmeal with Greek yogurt, a splash of almond milk and bear naked granola for crunch. Simple and easy!
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
Unusual oatmeal flavors…good question. I wouldn’t say unusual but I use oats in baking and cooking ALL The time. They pair ever so wonderful with chocolate and peanut butter and sugar in various doughs and batters 🙂
Katie @ Nutrition in a peanut shell says
Jealous- they don’t sell sugar cookie sleigh ride around here! They only have the other four- but I’m making do with nutcracker! 😀
Jenn says
Is that all you had for breakfast? Perhaps people would not be so quick to think you had an eating disorder if you didn’t eat a 170 calorie breakfast. And the fact you posted the nutritional statistics seems odd for someone who says she wants to gain weight….if you run as much as you say, then you are definitely not eating enough.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh for goodness sake, Jenn.
First: I never said that was all I had for breakfast. I don’t run a “here’s what I ate” type of blog.
Second: It’s not 170 calories with the optional coconut oil added.
Third: If you want to think I have an eating disorder, that’s fine with me. I know I’m healthy and happy, and that’s all that matters.
Holly - InspirationBeauty says
It saddens me that people can’t leave you be 🙁 You should never need to justify yourself on your own blog! Your true fans and friends know the real Katie
Frizzy says
Well where else do you suppose an individual who puts themselves and their lives out there should “justify” themselves, if not their PUBLIC blog?
I agree with Jenn’s concerns – not to mention the fact that one second you claim to have “no sweet tooth”, and the next youre receiving sugar “to feed your cupcake-decorating habit” and eating “Sugar Cookie Oatmeal”among other things?
Not accusing you of anything, Katie – just making use of the open comment space on your public blog.
Aaron says
Just.. preposterous.. Does she look at all unhealthy to you? I think not.
Be as you will, naysayers, but know your claims are unfounded. As are mine, I guess. 😀
Anonymous says
Hi Katie, I’m also curious as to why someone without a sweet tooth would want to host a dessert blog, especially as their job. I read through your FAQ page and didn’t seem to find a good answer to this. Maybe you just really enjoy making desserts for others? From a personal standpoint, I wouldn’t find it a very fulfilling job to create, photograph, and write about sweet stuff every day if I didn’t like it. I’m interested in your response!
Lauren says
I believe I read in one of her posts that she doesn’t have much of a sweet tooth, but she enjoys desserts that are rich and creamy. If you notice a lot of her dessert recipes really aren’t sweet…She’ll say things like, “Add this much sweetener or less if you’re used to healthy desserts,” and then she’ll say that she omitted the sweetener. I also remember her saying that when she makes brownies her way, her friends call them “angry brownies” because they are bitter.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Yikes, sorry! I just looked at my faq page and you’re right that the explanation isn’t there. I did have that question in a previous draft. (I didn’t want the faq page to go on forever, so I deleted questions I thought weren’t essential to have on there… I guess I should add that question back!)
But it’s pretty much as Lauren said. (Thanks, Lauren! :))
I don’t have a sweet tooth, but I LOVE desserts. I’d just choose the darkest chocolate, rich desserts over sugary ones, and I’ve never liked soda or candy like Sweet Tarts or Nerds or Starburst AT ALL. Oh, and I’ll take vegan ice cream over sorbet any day.
I eat dessert-type foods at least once a day (usually more). They just aren’t very sweet. Dark, rich and bitter chocolate desserts are my favorites.
Meyke says
Angry brownies. hee hee. That’s hilarious.
Jenn (a different one) says
Bahaha angry brownies! That certainly made me laugh.
It’s super hard to be “above reproach” as a blogger these days. If you say it’s not good to eat much fat, there will certainly be plenty of other people who say rendered animal fat is the foundation of longevity. NO ONE knows everything about human nutrition, and we have to make our own decisions about what we eat. No one will say that refined sugar is good for you, so maybe since Katie has entirely cut this out of her diet, she looks just like she is supposed to?
Kit-Kat says
There’s NO WAY yuo have an eating disorder, Katie! You eat just fine, and you’re an inspiration and role model to all of us!
As for Jenn, the nutritional info is posted for those who ARE watching their weight!!! GET WITH IT!
Anonymous says
Okay then, I’ll bite. What else did you eat for breakfast?
Kit-Kat says
LAY OFF!!!!
Katie is fine!!! Some people have reall hig metabolisms. And hey, you know she samples a lot of her recipe creations too(calories dd up). If you look at her Q&A page, she only runs for overan hour…. it’s not excessive exercise, and do yu see how BIG her serving sizes are for lunch/dinner??? WOW. That’s a meal for a MARATHON runner rather than an hour-long runner.
I was an anorexic. I KNOW when someone is restricting/dieting/obsessing over food, nd exercising too much. Katie is also a “big girl”; she’s an adult and can take care of herself. She’s not a teen anorexic, and neverwas (never will be either!).
Anonymous says
Thanks for the reply, but you aren’t Katie. I’d prefer to hear from Katie herself rather than have her fans leaping to defend her. I didn’t accuse her of anything, I’m just curious as to what else she had for breakfast.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Anonymous: One of the reasons I don’t write a “what I ate” type of blog (besides the fact that it’s just not something I think sounds fun) is that I don’t want people looking at my eating habits and trying to mimic them. I eat in a way that works for ME… but it doesn’t mean that’s the best way to eat for someone else. Everyone needs to do what’s best for him/herself.
But since you asked in a non-snarky way, I’ll give you a quick rundown of my breakfast just this once. When I make oatmeal for myself, I almost always make 1.5 servings because 1 will never fill me up (and wouldn’t be enough calories for my active lifestyle). I also added coconut oil to my oats, and I ate a little dish of ghirardelli 100% baking discs on the side. (I know it sounds strange, but I love them. I pop them plain like potato chips!) Also, I eat some fruit and nuts as a “first breakfast” before I go running. So a 170-cal breakfast would never, ever be enough for me. Not even close. Even if it were healthy for me to eat that way, I wouldn’t do it… I’d be hungry like 5 minutes later! 😉
Anonymous says
Thanks for your response, Katie! I appreciate your respectful tone and willingness to share.
Jenn says
Whoa. I’m sorry you seemed to think I was being snark and answered back so snippy, it was just a question Katie. You are healthy and happy, awesome, good for you! 😀
As a side note, what does “for goodness sake” mean? Who is this goodness and why do I care about his sake?
have a great new year!
anon says
Are you kidding me?! Jenn, your first comment (and second one too) was so obviously passive-aggressive it isn’t even funny! It sounds like you have an ED and are just jealous of Katie’s obviously healthy state.
Hope you get some help. Oh, and a very happy new year to you, honey! 😉 (See? I can be passive-aggressive too!)
Jenn says
Thanks dear cakes! I needed a laugh this morning, so glad I came back to see if Katie had answered my comment and instead I received your wonderful gem. However, just like Katie says we shouldn’t judge her, you should not judge what I meant to imply or my tone; I am not a long time, or even short time reader of her blog so I was not aware why she posted the calorie content of her meals. But hey, if she is healthy (or not) that is up to her; I was just mentioning one of the reasons she may be getting bashed. I am sorry if I hurt your feelings Katie, I hope you have a nice year.
Have a happy full of oatmeal and smoothies new year! BTW, honey? Are you from the good ol’ south? 😉
Karla says
Jenn,
I may be a little late to this party, but:
If I get up and am going to work out, I eat something a lot lower in calorie than I otherwise would. Just so I get something in my stomach. Then I eat more later.
She posts the nutritional statistics because someone suggested she do it. I’ve been a calorie counter since I as 11-not because I had an eating disorder, but because I was fat as a kid and I learned the concept early on. I’m glad to see them because if they’re not posted I have to do the calculations myself. And that fact alone will help her as a blogger-I visit her site because I know the counts are there. I’m not obsessed. I simply have to count calories to maintain my weight. It’s long been second nature for me. Every fat person I know eats far more calories than they should. And yes, I’m using the term fat. Enough coddling. Since I’m really a fat person I have no qualms about using that word.
Lauren @ What Lauren Likes says
Great idea! I just got this tea in my stocking 😀
Julie H. of Spinach and Sprinkles says
Soooo creative, Katie! I never would have thought to do that with the tea bags! SCORE!
Molly@This Life Is Sparkling says
I have been wanted that tea for so long, but I can never find it in stores!
Lena says
I’m seriously jealous of how gorgeous you are. You look absolutely radiant! And your sister is beautiful, too. 🙂 As for this… that tea isn’t at all sold where I live, but I’m definitely going to give this a try with whatever I can find around the house that’s close enough. 😉
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Awwww Lena, thank you so much!!
Leigh says
Katie,
Awesome idea! I love your creativity!
P.S. Those Celestial Seasonings flavors are great and all, but do contain barley (http://www.celestialseasonings.com/products/holiday-teas/sugar-cookie-sleigh-ride). Why? I don’t know. So they aren’t gluten free 🙁
I wanted to try those flavors this year but could not, unfortunately. Just a heads up for any celiacs or gluten intolerant readers. BUT! This would be lovely to do with a chai or cinnamon spice tea! 🙂
Wonderful post as always!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Ooh thanks for letting me know! I changed my post right away. Sorry for the mistake!
Melodie says
Thanks for sharing this! I have celiac and had NO idea that those teas had barley! I have never thought to look at the ingredients of tea?!
Amber K says
I pretty much stick to vanilla Greek yogurt mixed with my oats. A little cinnamon on top. Yum!
Kit-Kat says
I like trying new things in my oatmeal. I’ve put Sugar ooie Sleighride in my oatmeal before, and it is so good! 🙂 This year our grocery storedid not carry any of Celestial Seasonings Christmas themed teas, thoug, which is strange 🙁
Alex@Spoonful of Sugar Free says
I’ve been thinking about trying a chai tea oatmeal….kinda spicy and earthy. Love the idea of tea in oats!
Kaila @healthyhelperblog! says
I was hoping this recipe had something to do with that sugar cookie tea! Its my fave seasonal one! It smells SO good when its brewing!!
Angel says
My two favorite combos are cranberries with walnuts or unsweetened baker’s chocolate with raisins and walnuts.
Mama Zen says
That sounds yummy!
BroccoliHut says
I love getting creative with oatmeal! I tried some pretty crazy combos for my alphabet oats challenge a few years ago.
Chelsea @whatyoucouldhavebeen says
I usually try something a little different in every bowl of oats. Today, mine was made with cinnamon bun coffee as half of the liquid. I then topped it with a boat load of cinnamon and stuck it under the oven broiler. It carmelizes the cinnamon a bit and the edges get crispy. Sooo good. I think I want to try oats tomorrow with chai tea. I tried apple/chai instant oats before, so it should be even better home-made.
emma says
you and your sis are both so beautiful! 🙂 merry christmas!
Tami@NutmegNotebook says
I like to do all sorts of things with my oatmeal. Stir in pumpkin, fruit butters, dried fruit, almond milk, mix it with fat free Greek yogurt and let it sit over night in the refrigerator, add fruit the next morning – delicious!
JGodbolt says
Healthy breakfast on christmas day just make your whole day filled with joy! You be energized and and everyone around you just feel the energy.
Joanna (Vegan Recipe Review) says
You two are so gorgeous!
I’m open to try different oatmeal flavors but my favorite will always involve bananas and/or blueberries. =D
Jen says
I love using tea bags to flavor my oatmeal! My favorite is chai
Rachel says
I added peanut butter to it instead of any sweetener! It thickened it up nicely and made it taste like I was eating a big bowl of peanut butter cookie dough 🙂 Yum! Thanks for the recipe.
Gabby says
My all time favorite is probably PB & J oats in a jar. Specifically in an almost (but not quite!) empty Whole Foods Creamy Peanut Butter jar with Raspberry Preserves! I can’t believe I haven’t tried coconut butter in my oats yet!
Albizia says
The crazier, the better. I never eat plain oats. I tend to put half the contents of my cupboard in each bowl of oatmeal 🙂 .
LizAshlee says
Yum, this sounds delicious…you know I love sugar cookies and sugar cookie tea!! 🙂
Ketapang says
My go-to oats are usually vanilla, almond milk, stevia, and frozen strawberries blended with a hand blender. So creamy and pretty pink! Makes me feel ~8 years old each time I eat them 😉
Also, just want to shout-out appreciation for your easy, *healthy*, many-optioned recipes. I’ve been reading your blog for ~1 year now, and many of my breakfasts are based on your recipes. You’ve saved this grad student hundreds of $$ at local pastry shops because I now prefer my own concoctions to a (still beloved, yet now occasional) bran muffin from a cafe! Can’t wait for the next year of deliciousness.
Sarah @ blueeyedbarbie.blogspot.com says
I have the same santa hat =)
Lisa says
omg! I actually had the idea to do that! Brew tea and then use that same sugar cookie tea to make oatmeal with! I ended up drinking it though. oh well! its so good 🙂
Aaron says
Savory oatmeal is good every now and then. 😀 Cheese, garlic, vegetables…. oatmeal’s like fridge Velcro.
Jenny$1983 says
How I love your oatmeal recipes… 🙂 I’m glad this isn’t technically a Voluminous Oatmeal trick recipe though, because I can never get it to work and it always frustrates me. This, however, I can do 😉
I got some Whittard’s Vanilla Chai Latte Instant Tea Drink for Christmas so I’m going to try that in place of the Sugar Cookie tea bags. I’ve made overnight oats with Impress honey and prickly pear tea, that was lovely; and I often make a green tea-oats-frozen fruit smoothie (like your blended grains technique, I guess, only they’re overnight oats instead of cooked) that tastes amazing, so I’m very much looking forward to trying this!
Happy Holidays, everyone! 🙂
Lexi @ A Spoonful of Sunshine says
I wonder if I could get away with putting some crumbled up sugar cookies on this oatmeal and still calling it breakfast 😉
jo @ including cake says
love this blue bowl! my sister bought me lots of cute plates and cutlery for my xmas present and now i’m on a photography props kick! 🙂
Lauren says
Oh my gosh! It makes me so happy to see other people using the sugar cookie tea in other ways besides drinking it as just tea! I have been using this for protein (and non-protein) milk shakes for a super long time and it’s awesome!
Emily says
I love that idea of tea in food. Never thought about it before. Creative 🙂
Robin says
Katie, love your blog! Have tried lots of your recipies and love cookie dough dip, baked oatmeal, and lots of ideas 🙂
Just thought this was interesting, I was wary of the oatmeal because I don’t like this flavor of tea, but in oatmeal , I thought it tasted fantastic! So glad to have another flavor of healthy oatmeal 🙂
Nadiya says
I love adding tea bags to my oatmeal. It’s like having a tea latte but with oats 🙂 I suggest trying it out with peppermint tea and wait for it… chocolate!
Jen says
Your sister looks sooooo familiar and I can’t figure out why!
Robin Flores says
I blogged about this recipe and added a stovetop method/multiple serving size, thanks for the idea, my kiddos LOVED eating sprinkles on their oatmeal 🙂
http://robinjoy.wordpress.com/2012/01/06/day-5-and-i-ate-2-mms/
Ashley says
I’m going to make this tomorrow morning! But quick question. I typically only use 1 cup of water/milk to 1/2 cup oats. Do you think I can keep that ratio or should I increase the liquid like you have in the recipe?
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I think it should be fine as you usually make it :).
Catalina Maya says
My mum and I have searched nearly everywhere for this particular tea flavor with no luck for weeks and weeks.
Yesterday, however, my mum spotted them out of the corner of her eye in the frozen section, opposed to the tea section, of all places. Wearing a huge grin on my face, I literally jumped up and down in excitement! :p
Can you guess what I’ll be having for breakfast tomorrow? 😉
The Dandelion Girl says
You’re probably going to think I sound odd for saying this, but I just read through about half of these comments and am still wondering how a simple recipe for sugar cookie oatmeal turned into a conversation that showed a lot of ignorance.. or maybe just lack of knowledge?
Not everyone with eating disorders stays away from desserts or hates them — just as that is the same with people without eating disorders
Not everyone with an eating disorder is thin
Just as (importantly) not everyone that’s thin has an eating disorder
You can’t always “just tell” if someone has an eating disorder… and it’s a very personal thing, so I don’t think it’s fair to ask anyone over the internet if they do… especially in a comment thread. YES, she’s putting herself out there by having a blog, but it doesn’t give anyone free reign to treat her with any less respect than you would anyone else you only sort of know…
N says
Agreed:)
jenn says
I use chai tea for oatmeal and add in cinnamon, apples, and some sort of sweetner, if you’ve never tried that, it seems like it may be right up your alley.
Mina says
Just a question, my brother in law has coeliacs and says he can’t have oats…I’m confused now lol
Eleanor@Eatinglikeahorse says
Sorry Katie for hijacking comments but I was reading this from the link to your most recent post and thought I could help with this one… 🙂
Newly-diagnosed coeliacs are told to avoid oats because they contain a gluten-like substance. But because it’s slightly different from wheat, rye and barley gluten, some coeliacs are fine with them (like me, hooray!)
If a coeliac’s intestines have healed since he or she’s been gluten-free, most can try re-introducing oats slowly (about 1tbsp at a time but speak to a doctor first to check) and if there’s no adverse reaction, it’s usually safe. You do have to make sure the oats are “pure” though, ie not contaminated with any other grains so you can’t usually have normal brands… hope that helps and that you don’t mind Katie!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oh goodness, I definitely NEVER mind when someone chimes in to help answer a comment! I wish more people did it. I don’t have all the answers, and it’s really great to get info from someone more knowledgeable. Thanks, Eleanor! 🙂
Bonnie F. says
I have Twinnings’ Pumpkin Spice Chai tea that made for *delicious* oatmeal! Thanks for the recipe.
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner says
I love sugar cookies! 😀
Alice says
Sounds delicious!
Just a note though: the jury is still out on whether oats contain gluten. Some say yes, others say the gluten comes from factory cross-contamination. Either way, gluten-free readers should proceed with caution when consuming oats. I have come across certified gluten-free oats, but, being a coeliac, I sure felt strange eating them after being told all my life to avoid them!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thanks, Alice.
I also un-categorized this as being gluten-free because someone else left a comment informing me that the tea contains barley. I hadn’t even thought to check the tea!
Sassy Stephanie says
I couldn’t find the Sugar Cookie tea, so I used Vanilla Chai tea bags. Yummmmmm!
Melanie says
So delicious…I’m sad that I didn’t find that tea until the end of the holidays. But, I’ve experimented using the same recipe and subbing Gingerbread Tea, Peppermint, and Cinnamon Apple Spice…all delicious. I can’t wait to try another flavor! Thanks Katie…your recipes are great!
N says
Well I can see the green-eyed monster come out in some of you….Who are you to judge how much people eat?? As a health professional, I see no eating disorder symptoms present…Vegans are naturally thinner people than those who eat animal products. Those of you who are dissatisfied with your own body image should not take it out on people who are happy with themselves, such as Katie.
Crafty lil vegan says
Whilst I agree completely with most of what you say here, I do have to dissagree about vegans being naturally thinner! You obviously have not met my father! (Though he is a junk-food-vegan, which are a little rarer!)
I don’t understand why some people feel the need to lash out at others. The world would be a much nicer place if everyone practiced a little compassion!
Much love to you CCK, you’re an inspiration to all =)
x
Rachel says
Oh…we need a pic! I am a visual person and can’t ‘picture’ what it’s going to look like. Which is why i’m a nurse not an artist 😉
katie-you look gorgeous. I’m naturally thin too, all the kids in my family are, as are my parents. and we all love desserts. I do get friends (usually ones who would be classed as overweight) who make comments on me being too skinny so I just say, ‘My doctor’s not concerned. And I know you’re not trying to be rude but it’s not your concern either.’
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
I’m so confused now… Especially seeing this comment you wrote, I don’t understand why you would leave such an incredibly hurtful comment on my blog yesterday :(. Isn’t that comment the opposite of this one? Please, next time before you leave a nasty comment, realize how powerful words can be and how they can hurt people.
Lauren says
I can’t find this flavor of tea. 🙁 Sad day.
beatrice says
hi i am a stupid fat girl who loves chocolate too, can you please give me some advice on how to include chocolate in my diet everyday but losing weight? i’ve gained over 50lbs in this five months…so sad
Melissa says
Wow, you & your sister look just like twins! I made this oatmeal this morning & it was delicious!! I had two boxes of the sugar cookie tea & I wasn’t for sure how I would use it all. It took me forever to find it around Christmas time, so I stocked up whenever I found it, then I got kind of burnt out on the tea lol. So happy I can use it in my oatmeal now! Yummy!
Michelle says
Thanks for this recipe. I bought some of this tea over the holidays and was not fond of it at all. Since I hate wasting things this worked out perfectly. I’ve never tried making oatmeal with tea before, it worked out really well. As for my favorite oatmeal, I would say peanut butter and jelly or raisins, with a bit of cinnamon, vanilla, and sugar.
Kasia says
I usually don’t read comments, but your recent post lead me here. ANYONE who has a decent food blog posts nutrition info. Every food blog I follow posts nutrition info. I think it’s quite silly that the fact that you post nutrition info lead anyone to be “concerned” about you and your healthy. I have been doing Weight Watchers for a year and can tell you that every weight watchers member who has ever found your blog is greatly happy you post nutrition info AND healthy options. Don’t get discouraged! Keep up the good work.
Stephanie says
AMEN. The mere presence of nutrition information tells me that Katie knows what her audience wants.
There are a lot of great food blogs out there in terms of the dishes they present. But there are some that do not provide any nutrition information. As a Weight Watchers member myself, I need that information, and when I find sources that don’t provide it, I tend to not make as many recipes from them. Yes, because I am lazy to not have to want to do the work myself. There are enough places that DO provide it, so I’m certainly not starving!
Kasia says
Agreed! I only make recipes from blogs with nutrition info because I need that info for Weight Watchers! I don’t subscribe to blogs who don’t have it.
Michelle E says
I’m sure you’re going to get people commenting on this post all day after reading your post today (which I loved). I think that people who are long time readers of your blog know that you do this for your job and that after getting tons and tons of requests for the nutritional information for every single recipe that you are providing that to please the readers (and you have said many times that you typically make the higher fat version and also when people have asked how many calories you eat in a day you’ve mentioned that you don’t count calories).
As someone recovering from an eating disorder I have to say that your blog has been so helpful for me! I know someone else mentioned how much it has helped them too. I used to be so afraid of nuts/nuts butter and now with your recipes I love experiencing all of the heavenly goodness that I was missing out on! My dietitian loves it too because it changes up the variety and provides me with more nutrition than what I’d get if I just grabbed a handful of nuts!
And goodness your sister looks like she’s thin too, you’d think that people would recognize that it is in your family’s jeans! I know some people who have always tried to gain weight and I feel bad when people bash them like this because I know people who are thin who are just as self conscious if not more self conscious about their bodies than healthy weight individuals. You shouldn’t ever have to defend yourself and I’m so sorry that all of this happened.
Just know that there are hundreds if not thousands of people who read your blog every day who love it. People who leave the negative comments represent probably .0001% of your readers. I’ll try to let you know more when I try to recipes to let you know just how much I love them! I’ve shared your link many times on facebook and my friends have left comments saying they loved your recipes!
So don’t ever forget that there are tons and tons of people that love your blog!!!! <3
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Thank you so much, Michelle!!
And yeah lol my sister is tiny :). People who know us in real life would never describe us as “skinny” or “bony” though… more like “tiny.”
I wasn’t really writing the post to answer the snarkers… they’d never be satisfied no matter what I wrote. But I worried that maybe I was sending out the wrong message. I would never want anyone to think that I thought it was ok for me to eat a 170-calorie breakfast!
Melissa says
So sorry that people would talk to you that way Katie! Your blog is so wonderful, and I think you should completely ignore that stuff. Your readers love your style and what you do every day, and maybe you won’t appeal to everyone, but I don’t think you need to justify your recipes or their calorie counts to anyone. I get lots of daily recipe blogs with random recipes- smoothies for breakfast, etc, and i don’t see comments questioning why someone would only eat that. I know you say it doesn’t matter, but just look at how many of your readers have jumped to your defense!! You are definitely respected and loved by your readers, and those comments matter to us!! I love your blog and tell at least one person about it a week! And, as a southern girl myself, bless their hearts!!
honey says
Angry brownies… I love it!! 😀
sheila @ Elements says
I would have never thought about adding tea to my oatmeal, but it’s a wonderful idea! Bet it was awesome! 🙂
Chloe says
Hey Katie! I just made this with the Celestial Seasonings Honey Vanilla Chamomile and it was FANTASTIC!!! I love your recipes for oatmeal–I swear sometimes I go to bed dreaming about which of your fabulous oatmeal recipes I’ll try the next day! Thank you 🙂
Janice says
I wonder how it would taste if I used organic spiced tea or peppermint…
Casey says
OMG!!! I LOOOOOOOOOOVE oatmeal and I LOVE tea and I have NEVER thought to make it w/ tea (or for that matter doing anything with tea other than, well, TEA). THANK YOU to everyone who has posted ideas on oatmeal add-ins AND tea ideas. Katie, I just LOVE your blog. Thank you for sharing your obviously incredible talent and vision of making crazy-yummy food out of crazy-but-not-so-yummy ingredients!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw I hope you like it, Casey!
Jennifer says
Hi Katie! I wrote on your FB page a week or so ago but I just wanted to say again THANK YOU for all you do! I’ve been wanting to try your oatmeal recipes for what feels like forever! I really wanted to try this sugar cookie but like most folks couldn’t find that tea. But I had a Vanilla Carmel tea that was awesome so I made it this morning with that. I’m still munching away enjoying every bite! I added a scoop of vanilla protein powder and a little more almond milk when I took it out of the fridge because I wanted some protein. I was a little worried it would change it too much, but it really didn’t. Just more “pudding-y” which I love 😀 Thank you again!!!! I am on a mission to try everything!!!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Vanilla-caramel sounds delicious! I just bought a chocolate-coconut tea (best idea ever?) and want to try it with oats too :).
Hannah says
I don’t know if you can get it in the states (I’m from London, UK) but have you tried Yogi tea in Choco Aztec Spice? It is DELICIOUS alone, in milk (cheaters hot chocolate) or in oats! Do say if you try it!
xx
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Ooh I will have to look out for it!
Erica says
Thanks so much for all the amazing oatmeal ideas! I hope you don’t mind, but you inspired me to write my own oatmeal post featuring this recipe! I gave you credit, of course. Thank you! I never liked oatmeal before, now I love it!
http://www.ericahinthorne.com/oatmeal-thats-super-yummy.php
Jessasaurus says
that was SO AMAZING!!!! it worked with my creamy rice cereal (BRM) and it really was like eating cookie dough for breakfast–except that it is good for us! awesome!!
EAT.STYLE.PLAY says
Sugar Cookie Tea Bags??????????????????????? Okay really though? I have to find these!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
They’re seasonal… You might be able to still find some online though. 🙂
Susan says
I love oatmeal, but hate cooking it every morning. I found another pin on pinterest to cook a large batch of steel-cut oats to put in mason jars, keep in the fridge, and just microwave in the morning. Then I found this — Yay!!! I made my large batch of oatmeal with Chai tea, added my usual cinnamon and ginger and it was absolutely delicious!
Surprised I never thought of that before because I’ve been using flavored tea to color/scent my homemade soap for years!!!
Thanks for soooooo many great ideas! I love people who think ‘outside the box’ and share!
carolyn says
If I tried to make this with the celestial seasonings gingerbread tea, would I need to add vanilla extract to that? (Sadly I don’t have sugar cookie, but I’ve got gingerbread that I’d love to use up…)
Tea bag in oatmeal sounds interesting… I’m going to have to try that.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
You dn’t have to… but vanilla extract adds just a bit more flavor.
carolyn says
I finally got around to trying it… OH MY GOD. SO. GOOD.
How did I, an avid tea and oatmeal fan, never think of combining the two??
Gemma says
Unfortunatly I couldn’t find any sugar cookie tea but this was great inspiration for what is possibly now my new favourite breakfast. Chia tea oatmeal, I also used some of the measurements from your chia shake, I’m going to put the recipe here for anyone who is interested:
40g oats
3/4 cup of water (or milk if you want but I use water)
2 chia teabags
1 banana
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground ginger
(I also add about 1/4cup of shreaded coconut to mine)
brew your water/milk with the teabags for about 10min, then chuck in a food processor or blender with the banana, spices and coconut. Blend till mostly smooth (It doesn’t really matter, I just do this so the whole thing is sweetened by banana, it make it creamy even if your cooking with water too).
Pour the mix into the oats and cook (I only ever cook my oats on a stove top so I have no idea how this would work with a microwave but I imagine it would be fine).
Top with milk and some more cinnamon and coconut – DONE! yay! Thanks to your sugar cookie recipe katie I’m proabably going to go through my whole tea collection and see what comes out of it hahahaha (potentially disasterous).
Nikki says
I love using tea to cook my oatmeal in!! My favorite so far has been blueberry tea. I have also enjoyed earl grey, raspberry, and most certainly peach!! The peach is SOO good if you add chopped peaches or nectarines to your oatmeal after it’s cooked, along with a mashed banana!! (I don’t even use the milk, just all tea!)
Nikki says
Oh yeah, and I just recently started using 1/4 tsp. double strength pure Madagascar vanilla to the oats and water before cooking and was amazed at how much a difference in flavor it made!! Actually enhances the oats’ natural sweetness!!
Julia Smith says
Hey Katie, I was wondering what kind of oatmeal you use, like what brand? It would be SOOO helpful to know!!! Thanks!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Usually Old Wessex Irish (organic if possible, but sometimes not). For baked goods, sometimes I’ll just use Quaker, as it’s less expensive and I can go through a lot of trials when experimenting with a recipe.
Julia Smith says
Oh thank you so much! 😀
JC says
Have to say YUM. Initially skeptical, as I usually like chocolate, fruit, nuts (chunks) in my oats however, YUM. Thank you for the recipe! I am also eating your polka dot banana bread w/1/2 banana 1/2 pumpkin and added pepitas. Keep up the good work.
Jules says
I just popped something very similar into the fridge for the first time as an experiment…without seeing this post! (I feel a bit telepathic now)
I used the voluminous oatmeal trick, and heated up 1/3 cup of oats with 1 cup of water for 4 minutes…but I also stuck in a Pumpkin Spice Rooibos tea bag from Trader Joes before nuking it, just to see what happened. It is now in the fridge with a generous dash of cinnamon, plus the tea bag…I don’t know if I can wait the couple hours before trying it out!
Jessica Simon says
I’m obviously about a year late on my feedback, but I just tried this recipe and it is DELICIOUS. You really have a knack for what you do Katie!
And I couldn’t help but notice some of the negative comments people wrote previously- don’t let them get to you! In my experience with people who feel the need to monitor other people’s nutrition it’s because they themselves struggle with some sort of body image issue.
You’re beautiful and inspirational, and your health is no one’s business but your own! Just do yo’ thang girl.
Sabrina says
I had this oatmeal this morning, and OH MY! So good!!! I am not a tea fan, but this was beyond awesome! The tea smelled so good, I wanted to eat it right from the box! Since this tea is only sold this time of year, I am going to stock up! And yes, it did taste like I was eating a sugar cookie for breakfast, but best of all, it’s healthier than it sounds! Thanks Katie! 🙂
Susan says
Sabrina, you can use other flavors of tea, too! I frequently use a vanilla-chai. Use any flavor that strikes your fancy 🙂 I use half double-strength tea and half milk for the liquid. Makes it a little creamier and I get a little extra milk in 🙂
Julia Smith says
Yummm!! Could you use the voluminous oatmeal trick and leave it overnight? Or should it not be left for more than an hour? Thanks, this looks delicious!!! 🙂
Susan says
Julia, if you don’t use milk to cook your oatmeal you can leave it out overnight. This is how I do mine:
1 box (abt 18 oz) steel cut oats, 4C double-strength tea (chai, sugar cookie, etc.), 4C milk — combine in large saucepan and let sit for 5 minutes. Bring to a boil and cook for 3 – 5 minutes. I use a ladle and wide-mouth funnel to divide into pint mason jars (fill about halfway) and put the lids on. Leave sit on the counter for 2 or 3 hours, then put in fridge.
When ready to eat, remove lid, heat in microwave on high for 1 1/2 minutes — add cinnamon, ginger, flax seed, milk, raisins, nuts, etc.
Real oatmeal in the time it takes for the yucky instant or quick-cooking stuff 🙂
Julia says
Okay that is soooo helpful thank you so so much!!!! 😀
Shannon says
This was so yummy! I definitely didn’t have the patience to keep it in the fridge for an hour, so it wasn’t as thick, but still very good. I’ll cut down on the water next time so I can eat it faster! Just a couple drops of stevia sweetened it to perfection, and a touch of Earth Balance Coconut Spread made it nice and rich.
Hannah says
Katie, what makeup do you use? Your face always looks like it’s glowing in your pictures!
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Aw thanks, Hannah.
I usually just use Urban Decay mascara, some kind of navy eyeshadow (I have a few old ones from different brands), and tarte blush. I hate foundation, so I never wear it.
Sara says
Just a heads up, I just noticed on the label of the Sugar Cookie tea that it contains gluten, then I looked at the gingerbread tea & so does it! That makes me sad cuz this is the best oatmeal ever (I feed it to my kids who don’t react to gluten like I do, but I try not to feed it to them anyway). I’ll swing by Whole Foods today & see what I can replace them with.
Susan says
Doesn’t oatmeal have gluten? I have a couple of friends with celiac’s disease and they can’t eat oatmeal.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Oats don’t have gluten, but they’re often manufactured in the same facility as wheat products. So look for oats that specifically say “gluten-free.” Try looking in the gf section of a grocery store.
Cassie says
I saw this recipe a few weeks back but was upset because I had never seen this tea before! The other day at the grocery store I was so excited when I stumbled upon it sitting on a shelf! Can’t wait to try this!
Emily says
I’ve been wanting to make this recipe for months, and finally this holiday season, I found the Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride tea, and OH MY GOSH this is absolutely delicious! I love oatmeal, and all your fun flavors make it so it never gets boring! Thanks so much! 🙂
tirzah says
Just tried this and it was delicious!!
katherine says
This is the first ever recipe i saw of yours! I immediately tried it, showed all my friends and family, and fell in love with a countless number of your recipes. Every party i went to in the last year i have made one of your healthy treats, from holiday parties, football get togethers, or work events. Every single time i would tell people about your recipe, where i got it, and how they have to check out your blog. Imagine my delight when i just got online to show my coworker your blog and found a brand new site, where your job will actually be doing something you love. i know we don’t know each other but i feel like a proud mother haha. so so happy for you, well done.
Holly says
I can across this recipe this morning when I was actually looking for the Reese’s Peanut Butter Baked Oatmeal….but this sounded new and exciting and actually HAD the tea….from a year or so ago (ick, I know!) BUT it worked. You are unbelievably creative in the kitchen. I have a LOT of teas that I think I may try this with. The only problem I had was being able to only eat around half of the recipe because it was a bit too salty for me. Next time I’ll try it with half the salt and see how it goes. Otherwise it was delicious and I look forward to trying it again!!
Holly says
*came across…
Debra says
Katie: I went down to my local bulk olive oil store the other day, and they had vegan butter flavored olive oil. I tasted it, and Oh, My! It tasted just like buttery movie theater popcorn. So the product is out there. I don’t know who his supplier is or where else it could be purchased in your neck of the woods. I don’t even know where your neck of the woods is. I live in Portland, Oregon. I would be glad to ask him where he gets it for you. He says he sells the oil to many vegans who frequent his shop.
Chocolate-Covered Katie says
Too funny! I actually have that olive oil. There is an olive oil store in Grapevine, Texas, and one of my favorite things to do is sample all the oils and vinegars. Last time I went, I bought the butter-flavored olive oil, raspberry vinegar, and coconut vinegar. Thanks for reminding me of the place… I think I need to go again soon ;).
Lyndsey says
I love unusual oatmeal flavors! My favorite is Almond Joy oatmeal- oatmeal made with almond milk, with dark chocolate chips and coconut flakes sprinkled on top!
Sarah says
I LOVE the idea of infusing oatmeal with tea!!! However, this should NOT be under gluten-free, as Sugar Cookie Sleigh Ride by Celestial Seasonings contains “roasted barley” 🙁
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Hi Sarah,
I am so sorry for the mistake. When I wrote my post, I never even thought to check and see if tea had gluten. I fixed the post immediately and am very sorry for the mistake.
Mrs. D. says
My grandma (almost 80) asked me the other day if I had ever tried peanut butter in my oatmeal because “it is de-LIcious.” (She just discovered this combo.) I said I had (thanks to CCK, of course). Then, I asked her if she’d ever had sugar cookie oatmeal. She said, “Sugar cookie oatmeal??” I said, “Yes, mam!” Long story short, I’m buying her a box of the tea and bringing her this recipe. I am so excited to share it! My “picky Pete” husband LOVES it, and I do too. Thanks for sharing!
Chocolate Covered Katie says
Aw hope she likes it 🙂
BakeMeABallerina says
Almost EXACTLY like eating a huge chewy sugar cookie! Christmas in a breakfast bowl :)!!!!
Kim says
My unusual flavor oatmeal does , actually, involve tea. I have found that chai tea is great for oatmeal. Old fashioned oats, chai tea, 1 pkt stevia , and some chia seeds. Nuke it, then slice a half a banana on top ….mmmmmmmm! Chai Chia oatmeal.
Aleesia says
I will be making this tonight for tomorrow mornings breakfast 🙂 hope it turns out okay!!
BakeMeABallerina says
Coconut butter can give a nice taste, but how do you keep it from separating from the oatmeal?
Kim says
So, I’ve been eyeing a lot of the recipes on here for a while, seeing as I have a horrid sweet tooth and I want to lighten up my choices a bit. I’ve tried a few of them(such as the sugar cookie shake. Delightful!) and I finally tried this one last night. I used regular vanilla almond milk, a LOT of cinnamon(I consume cinnamon about as much as I consume water haha), a bit of sugar, I think I doubled the vanilla extract and I used the Apple Cinnamon Spice tea by Celestial Seasonings. IT TASTES LIKE APPLE PIE. Without the icky texture(I can’t stand the texture of most fruit). I’m in love. Trying the sugar cookie one tonight so I can have it tomorrow! I’m also going to experiment with the Sweet Pumpkin Harvest tea. Can’t wait to finally try more of your recipes!
Lydia says
you might be able to add cinnamon and get a snickerdoodle like falvor.
Lucy says
I usually settle for something pretty normal like banana or carrot cake oatmeal. But this one time we bought pears for a change so I had pear and spinach oatmeal! Bright green but tasted deliciously of pear. Seriously though, you could do a pear pudding oatmeal for the autumn. That would be delish!
Layotte says
Does anyone know if the celestial sugar cookie tea is actually vegan? I can’t find anything anywhere. What is “milk thistle?” Also what are “natural sugar cookie flavor” and “natural flavors” derived from? I really want to try this but can’t eat any dairy so I have to be very careful with ingredients! Thanks!!
Personal Trainer Girl Putney says
I’ve not actually tried that many crazy oatmeal flavours, but hell, maybe today is the day to start!
Jessica says
Just tried this for breakfast before school… And it was amazing! I ate it a banana and some dried dates as my ‘natural sweetener’. Your recipes never fail me Katie 🙂
Elizabeth says
What an ingenious idea! I never would have thought of using tea steeped water for my oatmeal. I used the apple cinnamon spice celestial seasonings, with my usual oatmeal add-ins and it was soooo good. I am definitely going to order the sugar cookie tea and try a few others. I am really excited about this since recently the quaker low sugar instant oatmeals have been bothering my stomach, so I have been eating plain flavored oats and looking for new exciting ways to doctor it up.
Alyssa says
I just made this with Tazo Dessert Delights Iced Lemon Loaf tea – amazing! Love this original recipe too.