Lemon Cream Pie Overnight Oats.

When we were kids, my brother's top dessert request on special occasions was lemon pie. Anything lemon, actually - lemon pudding, lemon cake, lemon meringue; you name it and he loved it. I was on the opposite end of the spectrum in the chocolate camp, and I still prefer sweet desserts over tart or citrus-flavored options. Tart fruits often make their way onto my breakfast menu instead - I usually get my fix with a green smoothie. I have a feeling lemon is going to take over in the coming weeks with a new overnight oats recipe channeling the delicious flavors of Lemon Cream Pie.

Have you ever looked carefully at the ingredients for a traditional Lemon Cream Pie? It's a super simple recipe. Martha Stewart's version includes a buttery crust and a filling made with fresh lemon juice, sour cream, sugar, eggs, and salt. I am re-creating a healthier breakfast version of Martha's dish today, using juice from a Meyer lemon, creamy cashew milk, a Medjool date for natural sweetness, and oats.

I used a special kind of old-fashioned rolled oats for this recipe, sourced locally and purchased from Baker Miller in Lincoln Square {check out a recap of my first visit here}. Baker Miller is a stone-mill bakery and restaurant that grinds their own flour and oats from local sources. Check out their online flour shop for more details {this is not sponsored, I just really enjoy their oats}. If you don't have access to Baker Miller, any old-fashioned rolled oats will work for this recipe. I have heard using steel cut oats is delicious too, and creates a chewier texture if that's your jam.

You can use any kind of milk or milk substitute for overnight oats. I tested this recipe with a few different options, and in my opinion cashew milk works the absolute best if you have access to it. Cashew milk is extra creamy compared to almond or regular milk, and the mild flavor works really well with lemon. This breakfast is made even better with the addition of fresh blueberries. I layered blueberries into my jar of oats in the morning after the rest of the flavors melded together overnight.

Lemon Cream Pie Overnight Oats
Serves one.

Ingredients~
1/2 cup old fashioned oats
1/2 cup cashew milk
Juice from 1/2 a Meyer lemon {1.5 Tablespoons}
1 date {pitted and chopped}
1/8 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of lemon zest
Pinch of salt

Optional: 1/2 cup blueberries

How to~
*Add all ingredients to a bowl and stir until combined: oats, cashew milk, lemon juice, chopped date, vanilla extract, lemon zest, and salt.
*Cover the bowl and let the oats chill in the refrigerator overnight {~8-10 hours}.
*Add blueberries {or another fruit of your choice} right before eating.