NomEatNom - Dark Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats Pudding

Remember our recent creamy, dreamy Orange Almond Overnight Oats Pudding??

Well, I loved them so much that you know I just had to keep experimenting with new flavors! I have always adored the combination of dark chocolate and cherries. In fact, one of my original, “old-style” overnight oats recipes featured just that.

Thus, it seemed only natural that I take this classic flavor combination for a spin with our new, improved method of creating overnight oats pudding.

Needless to say, it did not disappoint. In fact, this recipe will most definitely be making its way into my regular breakfast rotation!

How about you? What are your favorite oatmeal mix-ins? Be sure to share in the comments!

Dark Chocolate Cherry Overnight Oats Pudding

By tonya@nomeatnom.com, January 31, 2015

Serves 1

Ingredients:

Oats (rolled) - 1/4 cup (22 g)
Water - 1 1/8 cup (250 g)
Psyllium husks - 1 T (optional)
Greek yogurt (plain) - 3-4 oz. (depending on your desired level of creaminess)
Vanilla extract (pure) - splash
Almond extract (pure) - splash (optional)
Cherries - 3/4 cup (100 g) pitted and chopped
Chocolate chips (85% cacao) - 1/2 oz. (14 g)

Instructions:

Combine the oats and water in a large microwave-safe bowl. (Note: You could easily double the oats and water if you'd like a larger serving — just be sure to use a very large bowl.)

Cook on high for 4 1/2 minutes. Be careful to keep an eye on your oats in order to avoid oatsplosion (we've all been there before). I usually have to start and stop the microwave in 15-20 second intervals at the end to avoid overflow.

Allow the oats to sit in the closed microwave for 5 minutes.

Remove the oats from the microwave. At this point, they will still be quite watery. Don't worry. They will use all of that liquid to turn into soft, pillowy deliciousness.

Leave the oats uncovered, and place them in the refrigerator overnight (or for several hours).

When ready to eat, remove the bowl from the refrigerator. The oats will have absorbed all of the water and will be a pudding-like consistency.

Gently stir in the extracts and Greek yogurt (make your own!) until well-blended. If desired, you can also stir in the psyllium husks at this time. They make the pudding even thicker and give the oats an extra fiber boost, without affecting the flavor. Don't have any husks on hand? Don't worry; the oats are still incredibly delicious without them.

Stir in the cherries.

Top with chocolate chips.

Savor each bite.