Description
This Cranberry Apple Bake Bliss is a protein-packed baked oatmeal featuring cottage cheese, fresh apples, tart cranberries, and warm cinnamon with a hint of orange zest. It’s naturally sweetened with maple syrup, easy to customize, and perfect for meal prep or weekend brunch. Gluten-free and easily made vegan!
Ingredients
Wet Base:
- 1 cup cottage cheese (or Greek yogurt)
- 2 large eggs (or 2 flax eggs: 1 tbsp ground flaxseed + 2.5 tbsp water each, rested to gel)
- 1/3 cup maple syrup (or honey)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (or almond extract)
- 1 tablespoon orange zest (or lemon zest)
Dry Mix:
- 2 cups old-fashioned rolled oats (not steel-cut)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (or pumpkin pie spice)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
Fruit:
- 2 cups diced apples (or pears)
- 1 cup cranberries (fresh or frozen; or swap raspberries/blackberries)
Instructions
Heat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and generously grease a 9×9-inch baking dish with cooking spray or butter. Don’t skip the greasing—it makes cleanup a breeze and helps you get those perfect serving squares!
In a large bowl, whisk together the cottage cheese, eggs, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and orange zest until smooth and well combined. If you want an ultra-smooth texture, blend the cottage cheese in a blender or food processor first—this is my secret for people who are skeptical about cottage cheese in baking!
In a separate bowl, stir together the rolled oats, cinnamon, and baking powder. Make sure everything is evenly distributed so you get consistent flavor in every bite.
Fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined. Don’t overmix here—you want to keep it light and fluffy, not dense and tough. A few lumps are totally fine!
Gently fold in your diced apples and cranberries. They’ll sink in a bit as they bake, creating pockets of fruity goodness throughout.
Pour the mixture into your prepared baking dish and spread it evenly with a spoon or spatula. Bake for 40–45 minutes, until the top is golden brown and a knife inserted in the center comes out clean. Your kitchen will smell AMAZING.
Let the bake rest for at least 15 minutes before slicing—this helps it set up so you get clean squares instead of a crumbly mess. Serve warm with a drizzle of maple syrup, a dollop of yogurt, or a swirl of whipped cream!
Notes
Toast the oats first in a dry pan for five minutes. Makes them taste nuttier. Cut the apples the same size so they cook at the same rate.
If you’re using dried cranberries soak them in warm orange juice for ten minutes first. Otherwise they’ll suck up all the liquid from the bake.
Stop mixing once you can’t see flour. Check if it’s done by sticking a knife in the center.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American