Samoa Overnight Oats

Tis the season for those little brats who come to our doors and tempt us with those addictive chocolate/coconut/caramel cookies, those better-when-frozen chocolate/mint wafers, and those I-could-eat-1000 oatmeal peanut butter sandwiches. But I’m allowed to call them “brats” because I was one of those brats.

I think it’s kind of ironic that I went into business school after my lack of entrepreneurial prowess in the Girl Scout cookie trade. I always capitalized on my mom and dad bringing the order form into work and getting their co-workers to support their hard-working Girl Scout daughter. But walking around in the cold, knocking on doors, and having conversations with people I would otherwise never talk to? Yeah, that didn’t sound so fun.

For this reason, my family always likes to support those little gals who have the dedication and motivation to roam my neighborhood’s streets in near-freezing temperatures. We buy some for my freshman-in-college brother who believes that Samoas are God’s gift to the world in cookie form, but we also get some and give them to a nursing home down the street. It’s an easy way to support those worthy brats without filling our house with tempting treats.

That being said, I’m here today to tempt you with this treat. But this treat is healthy. And gooey. And addictive. And for breakfast. And devilishly delicious. You can still indulge this Girl Scout cookie season with this Samoa Overnight Oatmeal. Oh, heck yes.

Obviously, we’re starting with the rolled oats. I’ve gloated in the oat’s tastiness before; I just love the versatility in this breakfast staple. Not to mention that it totes some protein and fiber to get your day started in a nutrition-focused way. Oatmeal truly is my favorite food. We’ll thicken our oats with some healthy-fat-and-protein-packed chia seeds. These seeds make our oats resemble the texture of cookie dough. Yes, Samoa cookie dough. To add some moisture and flavor, we’ll use light coconut milk. It’s thick and creamy, and its flavor is unparalleled. Feel free to substitute with a different kind of milk, but just know you’re a nut if you don’t choose the coconut.

To make our oats resemble the beloved cookie, we’ll need some chocolate. Yes, I knew I could entice you with chocolate for breakfast. Coconut oil, cocoa powder, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and salt. These five nutritious ingredients form a healthy chocolate syrup that hardens when cold and melts like a truffle once it’s in your mouth. It’s really the craziest, most delicious thing.

Now, the coconutty caramely goodness. Can I let you in on a little secret? Even when I wasn’t on this whole healthy-food kick, I was never a fan of caramel. There was just something overly buttery and rich about every caramel I tried, and the fact that it got stuck in my teeth never sat right with me. This healthy homemade caramel though? It’s just a few whole foods – dates, almond butter, and unsweetened coconut flakes – blended until a caramel coconut jam is formed. Um, this stuff is the definition of “perfection.”

Do you really need any more details before you hustle into the kitchen to make this stuff? Unfortunately, you’ll have to wait overnight for your oats, chia seeds, and milk to work their magic and get all chewy and wonderful. Fortunately, this breakfast takes virtually 10 minutes to throw together, making it a healthy, yet satisfying, meal for your on-the-go mornings. While you’re eating, be sure to recite the Girl Scout motto: “On my honor I will try to serve my hunger and my tummy, to help nourish my body at all times, and to live by the Fooduzzi law.”