Lauren Conrad whips up some out of this world treats with Planet Oat

While she might enjoy sun kissed California days, Lauren Conrad is no stranger to the kitchen. The multi-faceted mom appreciates that smart food decisions are the fuel that keeps her busy days moving forward. Whether it is family time or business acumen, Conrad soars to the top of everything that she does.

Recently, Lauren Conrad hosted a Planet Oat pop-up. While the special event balanced some out of this world fun with ingredients rooted in good nutrition, the event brought fun to the mixing bowl. From colorful treats to a refreshing latte, these particular foods show that plants bring the flavor without the compromise.

During the special event, Conrad spoke to FoodSided about her use of Planet Oat, a few fun recipes and why cooking together as a family is important in her household. In many ways, she shows that it is easy to make that plant-based beverage swap.

Conrad shared that her family switched to oat milk a while back. Whether it is her husband’s morning smoothie or the ingredient in her latte, the beverage’s flavor is what has them pouring another glass. In addition, her family found that oat milk is an easy recipe ingredient swap for other dairy based beverages.

While more and more people have evolved that latte, Conrad suggests that the beverage can even get a colorful boost. Even though Ube has taken over the dessert landscape, why not add that purple hue to a pick me up beverage.

Here’s how to make an Ube Latte from Planet Oat and Lauren Conrad

Ingredients:

• 2 oz ice
• 1 oz Planet Oat Vanilla Milk
• .5 oz Planet Oat Creamer
• ¾ oz coffee
• ½ tsp Ube flavoring

Method:

• Mix Planet Oat Vanilla Milk, Planet Oat Creamer and Ube flavoring.
• Pour in 4 oz cup over ice
• Add coffee last

While it is a simple recipe, it is one that will get a lot of attention. From the color to the flavor, that purple haze could have a few people seeing plant-based beverages in a new light.

Getting families to appreciate great food might seem more arduous than it is. For Conrad, she has found that getting the kids involved in the process can help. While she admitted that her kids aren’t picky eaters, she appreciates that she is fortunate. Not every kid easily and willingly eats that plate of vegetables.

Still, Conrad shared that her family’s rule is that the kids have to take at least one bite. Although she hopes that they will not spit out that food, the one bite rule cannot be broken.

To help encourage that exploration of new food and flavor, Conrad has found that engaging her children in the cooking process is a huge help. She said that when they are invested in the meal, they are more eager to eat the food on the plate.

While her family switched to a dairy free household a while back, Conrad found that having products like Planet Oat made the change easy. Specifically, she referenced when food does not feel like a compromise, it is easy to make that switch. For example, Conrad believes that this plant-based milk has a similar mouth feel as a cow-based milk. In her opinion, that factor made it an easy choice.

In some ways, another recipe that Conrad shared could be the bite that starts a new trend in many homes. Her Cosmic Brownies might not encourage everyone to sign up for that trip to Mars, but the flavor is almost celestial.

Here’s how to make Cosmic Brownies from Lauren Conrad and Planet Oat.

Ingredients:

• 10 tbsp unsalted vegan butter
• 1 cup white granulated sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• ¾ tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, plus 1 egg yolk
• 1 tbsp corn syrup
• 2/3 cup all purpose flour
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• ½ tsp salt
• 1/3 unsweetened Planet Oat Milk

Method:

• Cream butter and sugars together
• Add cocoa powder, vanilla, eggs, corn syrup
• Add sifted flour, cornstarch, and salt
• Add Planet Oat Milk
• Pour in batter into greased 8×8 pan
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes or until done

Whether it is time to sneak some plant-based milk into the glass, bake with the ingredient or just keep a bottle in the refrigerator within reach, the reasons to have some Planet Oat on hand are many. And, in the Conrad household, there will always be a bottle waiting to be used.