Let’s be honest some mornings just need sprinkles. This Birthday Cake Overnight Oats recipe is your guilt-free excuse to enjoy all the joy of dessert first thing in the morning. It’s sweet, creamy, nourishing, and packed with feel-good ingredients that fuel your day without a sugar crash.
The best part? You prep it the night before and wake up to a ready-made, Instagram-worthy breakfast that tastes like you’re starting your day with a party. Whether you’re celebrating something big, something small, or just that you made it to Wednesday this one’s for you.
Why You’ll Love These Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
- It’s basically a party in a jar
- A perfect overnight oats recipe for meal prep lovers and busy mornings
- You can customize it with protein powder, cake mix, or even sneak in some veggies (hello, shredded zucchini!)
- Naturally sweetened and full of whole grains
- Perfect for picky kids, protein seekers, or anyone who secretly wants cake for breakfast
What You’ll Need
These oats are loaded with wholesome goodness and cake-inspired flavor. You’ll combine rolled oats, chia seeds, almond milk (or any milk you love), a splash of vanilla, a touch of maple syrup, and sprinkles (because obviously).
To really drive home the cake flavor, we’re adding either vanilla protein powder, a spoonful of cake mix, or both depending on your mood and your pantry.
Want it extra creamy? Use birthday cake overnight oats with milk like oat, coconut, or whole milk for a rich texture.
Check out the recipe card at the bottom of this post for full measurements and directions.
How to Make Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
Step 1: Grab Your Jar
You’ll need a mason jar or airtight container whatever you’ve got on hand. Into it goes:
- 1/2 cup rolled oats
- 1 tbsp chia seeds
- 1 scoop vanilla protein powder or 1 tbsp cake mix
- 1/2–2/3 cup milk (almond, oat, cow’s your call)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1–2 tsp maple syrup (optional, depending on your sweet tooth)
- Pinch of salt
Step 2: Stir and Chill
Stir it all together really well, making sure there are no clumps of powder hanging out. Add a sprinkle of rainbow jimmies for that birthday cake look and feel. Pop the lid on and refrigerate overnight (or at least 4 hours if you’re in a pinch).
Step 3: Wake, Stir, and Enjoy
In the morning, give it another stir. You can enjoy it cold, or warm it up slightly in the microwave. Top with more sprinkles, fresh berries, a dollop of yogurt, or even a drizzle of almond butter for extra flair.
Want a High-Protein Version?
Try this twist on the classic birthday cake overnight oats with protein powder:
Add 1 full scoop of vanilla or cake-flavored protein, a bit more milk (to avoid chalkiness), and a spoonful of Greek yogurt. It gives you that rich, pudding-like texture while keeping you full for hours.
You can even make protein overnight oats without protein powder by subbing in Greek yogurt and chia seeds double win!
Estimated Nutrition (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~320
- Protein: 15–22g (depending on your add-ins)
- Carbs: 35g
- Fat: 8g
- Fiber: 7g
- Sugar: ~5g (naturally sweetened!)
Prep Time
- Prep time: 5 minutes
- Chill time: 4–8 hours
- Total time: 5 minutes hands-on, then hands-off magic
Quick Tips for the Best Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
- Use old-fashioned oats, not quick oats they hold up better overnight
- Too thick in the morning? Stir in an extra splash of milk
- Want a stronger cake flavor? A dash of almond extract does the trick
- Use unsweetened milk to better control sweetness
- Sprinkles not optional they’re a mood-booster
How to Serve It
Scoop it into a bowl or eat straight from the jar. Add fresh fruit, chopped nuts, or more yogurt for a fancy brunch feel or just enjoy it while wrangling kids out the door.
Want to layer it parfait-style? Alternate oats, yogurt, and berries for that bakery case look with none of the effort.
Store, Prep, and Make Ahead
These oats will keep for 3–4 days in the fridge, so make a few jars in advance and rotate flavors. Add the sprinkles the night before, or wait until just before serving so they stay bright.
Making it with birthday cake overnight oats with cake mix? Use a teaspoon or two for flavor not more, or it can get clumpy. Opt for heat-treated cake mix if you’re being food-safe.
A Sweet Little Story
I made this on a whim the night before my daughter’s 6th birthday. I wanted something festive, fun, and not full of frosting. She woke up, took one look at the jar full of rainbow sprinkles and oats, and gasped: “Mom, you made cake for breakfast?!”
Yes, sweet girl. Yes, I did. And now, it’s a weekly thing.
FAQs About Birthday Cake Overnight Oats
Can I make these oats dairy-free?
Totally! Use almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk. It works just as well and sometimes even better.
Can I make this without protein powder?
Absolutely. Just sub in Greek yogurt or a bit of nut butter for creaminess and protein.
Is this recipe safe with cake mix?
Yes, just make sure it’s heat-treated or safe for raw use. You only need a spoonful to get that nostalgic flavor.
What kind of oats should I use?
Old-fashioned rolled oats are best. Steel cut won’t soften enough, and quick oats can get too mushy.
Can I freeze overnight oats?
Not recommended. The texture can turn icy and odd. Stick to the fridge they’ll last up to 4 days.
What toppings go best with these?
Yogurt, fruit, almond butter, or coconut whip! And yes extra sprinkles.
Is this kid-friendly?
Absolutely! It’s colorful, sweet, and secretly good for them. Great for lunchboxes or after-school snacks too.
Can I eat them warm?
Yes! Just microwave for 30–60 seconds, stir, and enjoy a warm, cozy version.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re prepping breakfast for your whole family or just want to add a little joy to your morning, these Birthday Cake Overnight Oats deliver. From protein-packed options to fun birthday cake overnight oats with milk and sprinkles, this is one overnight oats recipe that’s bound to become your new morning favorite.
Scroll down for the complete recipe card with ingredients, step-by-step instructions, and nutrition info.
Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken Orzo
Equipment
- Slow Cooker
- Measuring Cups
- Mixing Spoon
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1.5 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- 3 cloves garlic minced
- 1 cup sun-dried tomatoes drained and chopped
- 4 cups chicken broth low sodium preferred
- 1 tsp Italian seasoning
- 1 tsp salt to taste
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
Finishing Ingredients
- 1 cup orzo pasta uncooked
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 3 cups fresh spinach
- 1/2 cup parmesan cheese grated
Instructions
- Place chicken, garlic, sun-dried tomatoes, broth, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper into the slow cooker. Stir to combine.
- Cover and cook on LOW for 4–5 hours or HIGH for 2.5–3 hours, until chicken is tender and fully cooked.
- Shred the chicken directly in the slow cooker using two forks.
- Stir in orzo and heavy cream. Cover and cook on HIGH for 20–30 minutes, stirring once halfway through.
- Once the orzo is tender, stir in the spinach and parmesan. Cover and let sit for 5 minutes until spinach is wilted.