Peanut Butter Brown Sugar and Fudgy Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal

I don’t usually go for fads/trends, or follow rules when it comes to food.  In fact, I don’t abide by any rules when it comes to food.  I’ve been known to bake pumpkin pies in July, and I know some people may argue this, but there is NO discernible difference between using fresh roasted pumpkin puree and canned.  I’ve tested it many times over the years, and no one, I mean NO ONE, could tell the difference between the pumpkin pie using canned pumpkin and the pumpkin pie using fresh pumpkin.  As long as the canned pumpkin is pure, with no additives, it’s fine.

There..I said it, and I didn’t want to wait until Fall to say it.

By the way, did you know most canned pumpkin puree is actually Butternut or Hubbard squash. or a variety of squash not named pumpkin?  Yes, this includes the brand that starts with L.

Peanut butter and jelly overnight oatmeal

Back to trends and fads in the food blogosphere.  I have seen overnight oats all over the place for months now.  Normally, I’d steer clear, because, again, I’m not a trendy person.  However, I need quick breakfasts because I don’t eat breakfast anywhere near as often as I should, and I’m sick of cold cereal, toast or smoothies (my freezer is jammed with smoothie packs), when I do.

Peanut Butter Overnight Oatmeal made right in the peanut butter jar using the remaining bits of peanut butter!

After seeing Barbara’s (of Barbara Bakesovernight oatmeal with berries, I decided I really needed to give this a shot.  I also decided to blog it because I didn’t bake or cook anything for the KA Stand Mixer winner announcement.  I don’t like putting up posts without something tasty and visual in them.

This is a food blog..well, food/story journal, you know.

Peanut Butter Overnight OatmealI can’t believe I put this photo up.  Yeah, I know what it looks like.  In fact, artificial light is most definitely not kind to oatmeal in photography. But, a jar tipped over throwing up oatmeal is pretty shitty food styling. I was at my wits end when I couldn’t get a decent overhead shot, so I thought, why not?

That said, no pretty jars for these overnight oats, because you will be using up the peanut butter at the bottom and around the sides of an almost empty peanut butter jar so everything goes into the almost empty peanut butter jar.  If you want to make it look nice for serving to someone(s), spoon it into pretty glasses or bowls..like I did for photos.  BUT, off of my blog, it’s getting eaten straight from the jar, then bye-bye jar..into the recycle bin you go!

Below are a few ways to serve the peanut butter overnight oatmeal, and fudgy chocolate overnight oatmeal, some outside of the breakfast box.

Fudgy Chocolate Oatmeal with melting chocolate shardsFudgy Chocolate Oatmeal with melting chocolate shards 

Creamy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Over Soft Chocolate GanachePeanut Butter – Brown Sugar Oatmeal on top of Soft Chocolate Ganache

Peanut Butter and Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal made right in the Peanut Butter Jar!Peanut Butter Oatmeal With Cocoa Nibs

Another photo of Peanut Butter Oatmeal on top of Soft Chocolate Ganache

Peanut Butter Oatmeal, swirled, or mottled, rather, with raspberry jam

This is not a completely healthy version of overnight oatmeal, but if you want to add protein powder, flax, cha-cha cha chia pet seed, hemp, swamp goo, motor oil..or whatever, go ahead; no rules.  You can also cut down the calories and make it healthier by choosing the Greek yogurt option and/or skim milk.

Well, OK, there is one rule, but it’s a general rule to get the right consistency, and that rule is 1 part oats to 2 parts liquid, plus the extras of your choice.  If you want it thicker, add more oats.

Peanut Butter Brown Sugar Overnight Oatmeal

Peanut Butter Brown Sugar Overnight Oatmeal
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 1 to 2 servings
 
ingredients:
  • 1 almost empty jar of peanut butter (about ¼ cup peanut butter left in jar) *
  • ½ cup old-fashioned or quick cooking oats (I tried both and preferred the quick oats, but if you like more 'chew', choose the old-fashioned oats)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
  • ½ cup whole milk or any milk you prefer (skim, soy, rice, almond etc)
  • ½ cup vanilla bean Greek yogurt or, for decadence, ½ cup heavy cream steeped with vanilla bean scrapings and pod (pod removed after steeping, of course)
  • fruit or jam/jelly/preserves of your choice and/or chocolate chips, chunks (optional). I even added chocolate ganache to the bottom of one glass. No rules! You can go healthy or decadent, or both!
directions:
  1. Dump the oats in the almost empty peanut butter jar. Sprinkle the dark brown sugar evenly on top of the oats. Stir together the milk and yogurt or steeped cream, then pour on top of the oats and dark brown sugar. If you're adding chocolate chips or chunks, add now. Put the cover back on the peanut butter jar, tightly, and shake it vigorously. You'll be stirring it come morning, so this is just a preliminary 'shake' to get the oats soaked and dissolve the brown sugar.
  2. Put the covered jar in the fridge overnight, The next morning, open up the jar and stir it all together, digging the peanut butter up from the bottom and around the sides. Stir in fruit if you like - raspberries would be great, or swirl your favorite jam, jelly or preserves into it. If you prefer your oatmeal warm, give it a nuke in the microwave for a few seconds to a minute. Grab a spoon and dig in! Throw out (or recycle) the jar when you're done..my favorite part next to eating it.
notes:
* - I stirred extra peanut butter into the oats after they soaked overnight, only because I'm a peanut butter freak. It doesn't need extra, but it doesn't hurt if you're a freak too. Also, I topped it off with some fresh, whipped cream and chocolate. If you want it topped, but healthier, use Greek yogurt.

Fudgy Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal

Fudgy Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Yield: 1 to 2 servings
 
After chilling overnight, this chocolate oatmeal takes on an amazing, fudge like taste, hence the chocolate 'fudgy' moniker.
ingredients:
  • ½ cup old-fashioned or quick cooking oats (I've tried both and prefer the quick oats, but if you like more 'chew', choose the old-fashioned oats)
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons dark brown sugar (taste)
  • 1 cup whole milk or any milk you prefer (skim, soy, rice, cashew, almond etc)
  • 1 tablespoon dark cocoa
  • ¼ cup chopped chocolate; your choice (semisweet, milk, dark)
directions:
  1. In an empty jar with a cover, stir together milk and cocoa powder until uniform.
  2. Dump oats, dark brown sugar, and chopped chocolate into milk and cocoa. Cover and shake the jar vigorously. then place in fridge overnight.
  3. Eat right out of jar. I like to microwave it for a few seconds to melt some of the chopped chocolate. Enjoy!

Now for the winner of the KitchenAid Professional 600 Series 6-Quart Stand Mixer!  I really wish I could give everyone who entered one of these mixers.  I promise, there will be more great giveaways coming soon!  Thank you all for entering!

The Random Number Generator decided that Candace, who’s comment is #224, is the winner!

Congratulations, Candace! I will be sending you an email so you can choose a color and give me your mailing info.  As soon as I get it, it will be sent out to you ASAP.  If there is no response from you within 48 hours, another winner will be chosen.

One more thing. I’d like to thank Bonnie, of Bonnie Banters, for nominating me for a Food Stories Award!  Again, I’m incredibly flattered! Since I was nominated late last month, and have already passed on 5 nominations, I’ll throw in another random fact about me.

When I was a child, having had the luxury of seeing several Broadway shows by the age of 8, and listening to my father’s collection of Broadway soundtracks, I decided I wanted to be a Broadway singer.  I used to stand on my front porch and belt out tunes like Tomorrow, Memory, One etc.  There was one small problem though; I couldn’t sing.  My poor neighbors.

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56 Responses to Peanut Butter Brown Sugar and Fudgy Chocolate Overnight Oatmeal

  1. susie says:

    Ok before I read the novella (I need a glass of wine…) I have to say I tried an overnight oatmeal recipe from Pinterest. I could not eat it. It was so gloopy, I felt like I was eating batter. Now the recipe I tried din’t have the milk and yogurt in it, which has to help. I’ll let ye know when I give yours a whirl. And I am with you on the pumpkin biz, I LOVE pumpkin ice cream, but not when it’s cold, when its hot! Now!

    • Barbara says:

      The yogurt helps. I tried this recipe but I didn’t have dark brown sugar so I use 1 1/2 Tbsps of light and I didn’t have Greek yogurt because I really don’t care for it so I used vanilla yogurt. I also used raspberry frozen jam. This was delicious and I will make it again even tho it’s not very healthy.

      • Lisa says:

        Hi, Barbara! Actually, if you use just yogurt, peanut butter and the small amount of brown sugar, it is healthy. I admittedly prefer the unhealthy version with cream and chocolate ganache lol So glad you enjoyed it! 🙂

  2. I hat trends to and never follow them. I’ve been eating oatmeal since ages… Anyway, this recipe is wonderful! I love that combination of ingredients.

    As always, I had a wonderful time reading your story.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

  3. marcellina says:

    I love this idea of overnight oats particularly with peanut butter in it. I don’t know where I have been but I think I missed this trend!

  4. I can see it now, episode 13z+1 🙂

    I love your story and don’t want it to end.

    I’ve never tried overnight oats. I don’t like oats very much anyway.

    As for the butternut information.. in Australia it’s called butternut pumpkin. Makes sense here but you can’t buy pumpkin in a can. I have to get it at USA foods from Melbourne. weird.

  5. healthyyou72 says:

    I so agree, pumpkin in a can or fresh, totally taste the same:-) It is funny, a few months ago I read about overnight oats in a peanut butter jar. I never did it because I don’t have a microwave. I am so excited you said we can eat them cold, it should be ok. Now I definitely must make them:-) Hugs, Terra

  6. So glad you wrote about the pumpkin, I have thought about starting with a pumpkin, but now I won’t bother. Glad I inspired your oatmeal! I think I’d like your version even better.

  7. I guess I have been trapped on a deserted island as I have not heard about overnight oatmeal until you have discussed it today. Mixed with peanut butter, chocolate ganache, or jam sounds like a hit.

  8. Dan says:

    Overnight oats sounds like a great idea and something even I can do – nice photos. Your story is getting better and better with your storytelling about your bad boy. I am curious would you actually have punched the girl in the eye rofl. Would have paid to see that – Fiesty girl 🙂

  9. rindymae says:

    Sounds delicious! I’m pinning it.
    I agree on the pumpkin pie, too.

  10. The peanut butter jar idea is so great. I posted about an overnight oatmeal (from La Tartine Gourmande) that uses apple juice instead of milk. It´s so good and like you, can finally eat some kind of healthy breakfast that´s not toast.
    I knew you were going to stop the story without us knowing if he got home in one piece! You´re storytelling is so good.

  11. I REALLY want to try this overnight oatmeal, especially in the p.b. jar~fun!. My husband pretty much throws together oats, nuts and berries every morning, but this sounds better:)
    13a is definitely a cliffhanger:)

  12. Oh wow, this look epic! I’d happily eat it for dessert as well as breakfast 🙂 another amazing recipe!

  13. maris61 says:

    He kissed BOTH of your *hands*?? IN FRONT OF EVERYONE?!?? That was SOME kinda move for a young guy (that, or you have gorgeous model hands AND he wuz truly madly in love with our lovely hostess – and why shouldn’t he have?) Your blue-eyed Dreamboat must have been quite the charmer; I could see how you could have been just a tad possessive. Many a hopeful gal must have swooooned over his laser-eyes and charisma, using every means possible to seduce him….You wouldn’t have hit Dreamboat’s flirt(s), would you REALLY?? There were probably too many swarms to hit AND the slugging would have damaged your beautiful hands 🙂 Anyhoo, the conclusion of your real-life fairy-tale must have a compelling Alfred Hitchcock-like twist. OR, perhaps might it end in blissful soul-mate heaven?…only to be interrupted by TWO wives from Europe finally tracking him down and knock-knocking at your door??!? :-/ Hmmmm…..This cornball is gonna STAY TUNED! It’s not often someone like you is willing to bare her soul and most private thoughts and moments most of us have loooong forgotten. I just happen to be able to relate completely to your memoirs as I was one of those guys who coincidentally worked on the very same Seaside boardwalk while sharing that same kind of mutual crush-rush with one or two young ladies 😉 Pure magic. Uhhh, ITMT, pardon me – I wuz distracted for a moment – your recipe; It’s nice to see that something sweet can be cranked out by those of us who are too lazy (and food-challenged) on-the-fly. Great concept.

    • Lisa says:

      Oh no, he wasn’t a suave, debonair charmer at all..he was very straight forward, down to earth, and hated BS in any form. He was just very affectionate, and happened to have both of my hands in his when he kissed them…most probably to soften the blow of blowing me off that night! Plus, we hadn’t seen each other in over 2 weeks, so we were kissing anything we could get our hands on….. in public.

      ——————————-

      I doubt I would have hit that girl, but with the anger I was feeling at that moment. it may have turned into a hair-pulling fight lol I’m a lover – not a fighter ;D

      —————————-

      I KNOW you had the ladies after you like Dreamboat did – the photo on the boardwalk definitely proves that!

      ———–

      LOL@ the two wives from Europe tracking him down. Unless they were in Seaside one summer, not much of a chance, Try any state that surrounds NJ – that’s about as ‘international’ as it would get ‘back then’! Truth be told – he was a one woman type of guy.

      Thanks for the awesome comment, J!

  14. Megan says:

    I can’t imagine you getting all Jersey Shore on anyone… you seem way too sweet. Can’t wait for the rest of the story…

  15. Jamie says:

    First, I beg to disagree on the pumpkin question but I’ll let you prove it to me the day I visit you. Second ARGH I am so impatient to hear the ending of this story you are killing me! But that is the power of a great storyteller. And notice that I don’t beg you privately to tell me how it all ends in an email. And I love this oatmeal treat! How cool is this? But adding the ganache is genius!

  16. I don’t follow food fads either! A pumpkin pie in June sounds perfect I say!

    Your oatmeal cup looks incredible! Love the layers but the ganache just takes it to another level! 🙂

  17. Dinavia says:

    I’m so glad you’re adding an extra part! I love that you called your anger ‘going jersey’..I watch the real housewives of NJ, and that so fit Teresa’s melt-down! lmao Now I’m dying to know WHY he was getting home at 5 am. Love your descriptions of his family too, I can see them as I read. the oatmeal looks great..but i would probably heat it up b/c i don’t like cold oatmeal. Making it in the almost empty peanut butter jar is a fantastic idea!

  18. Sophie33 says:

    I don’t follow the trnds, I eat & wer what I love! I love all things pumpkin. Here in Belgium, we can’t buy pumpkin in a can because Belgian only commonly use pumpkin in a soup & that’s all! I make my own roasted pumpkin puree. It is a lot of work though! Your overnight oatmeal rocks!

  19. FoodBabbles says:

    Oh this is going to be a looong comment! I can feel it so you better just settle in 😉 First, I did NOT know that most canned pumpkin is actually butternut squash. Why can it be passed off as pumpkin when it is not? Hmmm… this upsets me a bit but it’s still tasty. Perhaps I should read labels, then I would be more informed and not just learning this now. Second, WOW!! I am making overnight oatmeal this week… or as soon as I have an empty container. I can’t do peanut butter cause we don’t have peanut butter in our house due to Maddy’s allergy but I already have my wheels turning on substitutes. I am clearly not trendy at all, because this is the first time I’ve ever even heard of this whole “oatmeal in a plastic jar” thing. Yum! Yours sounds ah-mazing. Bookmarked. Lastly, your story… your story!! Ahhh! I don’t ever want it to end yet I can’t wait to hear the whole thing. Loving ever second of it. Talk to you soon!

  20. cheapethniceatz says:

    I am shocked but the non pumpkin cans. Well honestly butternut is better. Motor oil in your breaky? You are weird lol. And you are so IN when it come to food. I have not seen this overnight oat trend at all but I am SO going to try it asap!

    Yah silly how insecure we get when we do not see our bf for a few days. Wow you did go Jersey there. Ah the torments of young love. Can’t wait to read the next chapter part b.

  21. OK, you’ve convinced me I need to try this oatmeal…I’m a big breakfast/brunch person anyway, and sometimes I need something in a hurry! The peanut butter jar is pretty interesting, and I can eat chocolate any time of day!

    It sounds like Bad Boy is taking a turn? Of course, you always leave us on a cliff!

    I’m glad you accepted the nomination for the award (again)! To have been nominated more than once just shows how much your talent is appreciated!

  22. Mary says:

    I love oatmeal, hot, cold, cooked, raw, but I’ve never tried it with peanut butter. Hmmm. I do only eat fresh roasted pumpkin though because I think it makes a difference. All my pumpkins come from my aunt and uncle’s farm so maybe that’s why they taste so good. Oh, the bad boy…I have a sinking feeling but am hoping for a happy ending.

  23. Such a simple dish, yet you made it look so fancy and elegant. Great job!
    And congrats to the very very lucky winner 🙂

  24. Nicole says:

    This oatmeal looks delicious, but the story has me hooked! I had a dreamboat myself, but he dumped me for my best friend. It’s ok, though…he soon dumped her for someone else. Guess he was only a dreamboat in looks!!

  25. Sylvie says:

    I was just thinking, if you want to be “decadent’, chopped up peanut butter cups would be so good in this! What a great way to use the peanut butter left in the jar when there isn’t enough for a sandwich or recipe!

  26. Hi Lisa,
    Your peanut butter brown sugar oatmeal looks so fresh. 🙂
    I don’t mind eat this every day. LOL.
    Thank you for sharing. 🙂
    You can submit your peanut butter brown sugar oatmeal pics on http://www.foodporn.net It is a food (and drink of course) photography site where members can submit all food (and drink of course (again) LOL ) pictures that make readers hungry.
    Well, you know it’s fun to make others hungry (and thirsty)! 😀

  27. Hello Lisa
    I too stay clear of trends but this looks like a really tasty overnight oatmeal that I know I will like!

  28. Suzan Mayer says:

    I love your story. I’ve never tried overnight oats. I don’t like oats very much at all.
    The peanut butter jar idea is so great. It is kind of good meal for me. I will like it. Thanks!

  29. I saw Barbara’s (aka mum’s) recipe and wanted to make it too! So now I have a cup of hot chocolate, it is raining outside and I have the heater on. The perfect conditions to read your latest installation of Bad Boy Love! 😀

  30. Ben says:

    No rules! That’s my kind of girl, hehe. Oh and I want some of that oatmeal… It looks amazing, yum!

  31. Valerie says:

    Lisa, that sounds delicious, and so easy to make! Except I don’t think I could stomach it for breakfast. I barely ate breakfast at all before I hit my twenties, and even though I now wake up hungry, it’s like my tastebuds are numb in the morning: I need bland, starchy stuff. But this would be great for brunch!

    I’m still riveted to your saga. Keep ’em coming!

  32. Paula says:

    I love this story of your first love. Just subscribed to your feed so i can read part 13b as soon as its up!

  33. N says:

    I’d like to buy a bottle of lisa’s home cookin’. know where I can get one?

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  35. Liz says:

    I like my oatmeal in cookies…but this recipe could persuade me otherwise 🙂 13 B??? I’ll be back!

  36. Jenni says:

    I’m loving the overnight oatmeal trend right now (just made some muffin type thingys last night!). I’ve never added PB to my oatmeal, though, I’ll have to give it a try. And I might be almost 30, but I still belt out “Tomorrow” at the top of my lungs, often and badly. 🙂

  37. Food Stories says:

    Congrats on your nomination … Loved your post, btw 🙂

  38. Pingback: The Weekend Whisk ~ 6/15/2012 | Food Babbles

  39. I like the idea of adding chocolate ganache! Sounds extremely decadent but also extremely delicious and worth it. 🙂

  40. themadhausfrau says:

    As I type this I am thinking about that almost empty peanut butter jar from Trader Joe’s in my fridge. What a great idea.

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  47. Diane says:

    I found this just in time…I’m low on peanut butter!!! I probably would have just made another sandwich out of it (poor, silly me!), but now I know what I SHOULD be doing with it! YUMMY!!!

    PS – I always wait and put the chips in, in the morning. I find that they are just too HARD when cold, straight out of the fridge…my preference though.
    One of my favorites combinations is, cherry preserves and milk chocolate chips! :D”’

    • Lisa says:

      I hope you tried it and liked it, Diane! Great tip on adding the chips after the overnight soak, especially since I dislike cold chocolate (unless it’s a coating for an ice cream bar). Adding cherry preserves with chocolate chips to it sounds amazing, and I will most definitely try it!

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