Candied Orange Oatmeal Cranberries (Printable Version)

A cozy oatmeal blend featuring candied orange, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds for a nourishing start.

# What You'll Need:

→ Oatmeal Base

01 - 1 cup rolled oats
02 - 2 cups milk or non-dairy alternative
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Candied Oranges

05 - 1 medium orange, thinly sliced
06 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
07 - 1/3 cup water

→ Toppings

08 - 1/4 cup dried cranberries
09 - 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
10 - 2 teaspoons honey or maple syrup, optional

# Steps to Follow:

01 - In a small saucepan, combine sugar and water; bring to a simmer over medium heat. Add orange slices and simmer gently for 10-12 minutes, turning occasionally, until translucent and syrupy. Remove from heat and set aside.
02 - In a medium saucepan, combine rolled oats, milk, and salt. Bring to a simmer over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5-7 minutes until thick and creamy. Stir in vanilla extract.
03 - Divide oatmeal between two bowls. Top each bowl with candied orange slices, a spoonful of the orange syrup, dried cranberries, and toasted almonds. Drizzle with honey or maple syrup if desired.

# Additional Tips::

01 -
  • The candied oranges add a sophisticated sweetness and chewy texture that makes you feel like you're eating something special, not just another bowl of oats.
  • It comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent way more effort than you actually did.
  • The combination of tart cranberries, crunchy almonds, and that glossy orange syrup hits every texture and flavor note at once.
02 -
  • Don't rush the orange candying process—low and slow is how you get them translucent and tender, not rubbery and overdone.
  • Toast your own almonds in a dry skillet for about 3 minutes and you'll understand why store-bought toasted almonds never taste quite right.
03 -
  • Candy extra orange slices when you make them and keep them in a glass jar in the fridge—they're incredible with plain yogurt, on top of vanilla ice cream, or straight from the jar when you need a pick-me-up.
  • If your oatmeal gets too thick while it's sitting, add a splash of warm milk and stir gently rather than panicking and adding too much liquid all at once.
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