Don’t wait until the weekend for a delicious, indulgent breakfast! This Cherry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal is luxurious, healthy and packed with fresh summer cherries!
In an ideal world my mornings would start around 7 am and I would be able to ease into my day with a cup of coffee, scrolling through Facebook and Instagram and then working out for 30-40 minutes.
Then I would casually get ready for the day, pour another cup of coffee, read a chapter or two in a good book, while curled up on my porch, enjoying the fresh morning air.
In my dream world I would then have time to make a hot breakfast, maybe some over easy eggs and avocado toast, egg white omelet with fresh summer veggies, or loaded oatmeal, like today’s recipe Cherry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal. Then my day would officially get started around 9:30-10 o’clock.
However, in real life I am normally up and at ’em at around 6 am. Instead of easing into my day, I immediately start doing the leftover dirty dishes from dinner the night before and get a load of laundry going. Then I quickly get to work… checking emails, scheduling blog posts and social media shares, planning menus and testing recipes. Or sometimes running out the door to make appointments, go grocery shopping for the umpteenth time that week or heading to teach a cooking class.
Even though I would love to ease into my day and cook myself a nice filling breakfast, often times I get so busy or wrapped up in what I am doing, noon quickly rolls around and I realize I haven’t eaten anything yet all day. But, I am working on this.
My mornings may not be dreamy and relaxed, but I am trying to find at least 15 minutes at the start of each day to make breakfast and actually sit down to eat it before rushing to fulfill the demands of the day.
Oatmeal was my go to breakfast for many years, back when I actually made breakfast part of my morning, but then I got sick and tired of it. As I have worked to find a little “me time” in the morning and make breakfast part of my day again, oatmeal has become a favorite again. It is quick and easy and the flavor profile easily changed based on what things I have, like fresh summertime fruit.
This Cherry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal has been this summer’s go to breakfast. It is sinful and delicious and is a great way to start the day!
If you like this Cherry Chocolate Chunk Oatmeal, then you’ll love these other oatmeal recipes:
Peaches ‘n Cream Oatmeal
Lemon Ricotta Oatmeal with Blueberries and Almonds
Strawberries ‘n Cream Oatmeal
Blueberry-Coconut Baked Steel Cut Oatmeal {Marla Meridith}
Red Berry Risotto Oatmeal {Mel’s Kitchen Cafe}
- Oatmeal:
- ¾ cup unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- ¾ cup water
- ¾ cup old fashioned rolled oats
- ½ tablespoon brown sugar or maple syrup
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Topping:
- ½ cup cherries, pitted and sliced in half
- 1 tablespoon chopped dark chocolate
- 1-2 tablespoons unsweetened vanilla almond milk
- Combine milk, water and oats in a medium sized sauce pan over medium-high heat. Bring to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer and stir in brown sugar and almond extract. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes or until liquid is absorbed and oats are tender.
- Serve immediately topped with cherries, chopped chocolate and additional almond milk.
