Slow Cooker Carrot Cake Oatmeal

I am a steel cut oatmeal fanatic. Perhaps you remember my Overnight Steel Cut Oats post from last year or my Coconut Milk Overnight Oats post from last month? Cooking oatmeal overnight in the slow cooker allows us to wake up to breakfast completely ready. Since my hubby gets up and leaves for work usually before the rest of us are up, he can grab some to take with him on the road. Then, the rest of us can enjoy a hot, hearty breakfast as we trickle out of bed to get ready for the day shortly thereafter.

This recipe is a clever take on traditional overnight oatmeal.  It has all of the goodness of oatmeal, but with the fabulous flavors reminiscent of a carrot cake. (P.S. It's a great way to sneak some veggies into your kids' breakfast without them probably even minding. Bonus!) This doesn't come out of the slow cooker super sweet, so add in some additional brown sugar or even honey at time of service if you desire a sweeter oatmeal.

And, if you have leftovers, this keeps well in the fridge throughout the week to reheat.

Yields 4 - 6 servings (about 6 cups of cooked oatmeal).