Oh how I love my oats. I never tire of them, especially when they have chocolate in them and are drizzled with a triple berry puree!
This felt very decadent, like eating dessert for breakfast. It reminded me of eating chocolate chip oatmeal cookie dough, but doing it in a way that is grown up and sophisticated. The berry puree is the perfect accompaniment, and I just might have guzzled the left-overs!
Using berry puree as a topping in place of syrup, is a great way to get those antioxidants in to my kids, and saves money as they are less expensive than 100% maple syrup. Making berry puree have saved me many times when making pancakes, waffles and oats that I would usually top with syrup. Perfect for when you have run out of syrup and have a freezer full of berries.
Baked Banana Chocolate Oatmeal
(inspired by this recipe at The Oatmeal Artist)
- 2 bananas
- 3/4 cup of milk of choice
- 1/2 cup water, or more milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/8 tsp salt
- 1 cup chocolate chips
- Berry Puree
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees and grease 8×8 pan or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, mash bananas, and then mix in milk, water, and vanilla extract. Add oats, baking powder, and salt. Stir.
- Add chocolate chips.
- Pour into prepared pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.
- Top with Berry Puree (recipe below)
Triple Berry Puree
- 1 12 oz bag frozen mixed berries (I used Trader Joes Frozen Mixed Berry Blend of Strawberries, Blackberries, Raspberries, & Blueberries), thawed
- 2 medjool dates (or more depending on sweetness desired), pitted
- Pour thawed berried into blender.
- Add pitted dates.
- Puree until smooth.
A Little Bit About Blenders
My Very Favorite by far–Professional Grade High Speed Blender
Some of the best money I have ever spent!
This is the model I have. I drooled over it for a couple of years!
It was a splurge, but worth EVERY penny. I use it 2-3 times a day.
It makes crushed ice in seconds. It takes almonds to almond butter in seconds. It makes the best raspberry fruit puree for pancakes and ice cream–obliterates all those little seeds into smooth puree heaven! We are eating 3 times the amount of fruits and veggies since purchasing this amazing blender, which I know is keeping us out of the doctors’ office and away from those expensive co-pays, so in my mind it has paid itself off.
Runner Up
I’ve never used one, but have heard good things about them. They are not professional grade like the Vitamix, but the price is much easier to swallow and they are powerful.
{my old Oster on the left, my New Vitamix on the right}
Economy
I had one of these for years and it does the job. You can’t beat the price, and for smoothies, it works, although you have to blend much longer. You will still have chia and raspberry seeds in your smoothies, but if you don’t mind the extra texture, this one will do. If you have had a high-speed blender, you will not be happy with this one. If you are looking for something to get by until you can get a high-speed blender, and to just get those smoothies in you, this will do just fine.
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What about you? Do you have a high-speed blender? Do you desire to have one?
