Name: The Best Sweet Breakfast Hot Cereal
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 2 cups Water; 1 cup Hot cereal, (Cream of Wheat or Malt-o-Meal); 1 cup Heavy cream, or half-and-half; ½ cup Sugar, (more or less to taste); ½ teaspoon Salt; ½ teaspoon Cinnamon; ¼ teaspoon Vanilla extract (optional); 2 tablespoons Butter

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Hot cereal is a creamy, sweet breakfast option that is delicious, hearty, and filling. This well-balanced meal is ready in just 20 minutes and it is totally customizable!

Want another delicious side breakfast side dish? Try my Creamy Cheese Grits and Homemade Old Fashioned Pancakes next.

Want to break out of the cold cereal rut? Hot cereal for breakfast is perfect for those mornings when it is hard to get out of bed. Cooked low and stirred often, this porridge is thick, velvety and so satisfying. It is enhanced with sugar and spices for a super flavorful start to your day.

Why you will love Hot Cereal:

Breakfast Comfort Food! When it comes to hot meals, this is a good choice for cold winter mornings during the holidays because it is hearty and warm.

Healthy Meal! This warm porridge is a good source of carbs, protein, fiber, and nutrients for a wholesome breakfast.

Versatile! On its own, breakfast cereal has a pretty neutral taste but it can be paired with different flavors! Satisfy any craving with added sugar, cinnamon, and a variety of other sweet or savory toppings.

Affordable! Just one cup yields 4 servings so a little goes a long way for this recipe.

a bowl of hot cereal with a spoon inserted

What is Hot Cereal?

Hot cereal is a porridge of grains combined with boiling hot water. It is often cooked with milk with seasoning, spices and toppings added to taste.

Ingredients for this Hot Breakfast Cereal Recipe

To make hot cereal, you will need the following ingredients:

Water: To soften the grains.
Hot cereal: Use Cream of Wheat or Malt-o-Meal (not the instant hot cereal varieties). Wondering what is the difference between Cream of Wheat and Malt-o-Meal? Cream of wheat is ground more finely than malt-o-meal, which has a grainy texture.
Milk: Use either heavy cream or half-and-half to enrich the porridge.
Sugar: Use more or less to taste, depending on how sweet you want your porridge to be.
Salt: Use this to make the other flavors pop.
Cinnamon: Add this warm spice for a comforting touch.
Vanilla extract: This optional ingredient enhances the other flavors.
Butter: Adding butter improves the overall taste and yields a creamier breakfast cereal.

overhead ingredients for breakfast cereal

How to Make Hot Cereal

Bring your water to a boil in a saucepan over medium-high heat.

Once the water is boiling, turn the heat down to medium-low, and then slowly pour in the hot cereal while stirring with a wooden spoon or whisk.

Stir constantly to avoid lumps in the hot cereal. Simmer for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once the mixture starts to thicken, gently pour in the heavy cream.

Now add in the sugar, salt, cinnamon, and vanilla. Stir the breakfast cereal until everything is fully combined. Continue to simmer over low heat for about 5 minutes, remembering to stir frequently.

Remove the porridge from the heat and stir in your butter.

Serve immediately.

Recipe Tips and Variations

Constantly stir as you gradually add the milk, for a luscious, creamy texture.
Consider adding additional toppings like honey, brown sugar, nuts, chia seeds, raisins, or fresh fruit.
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days. To reheat, add a splash of milk or water to add moisture and warm up in the microwave or over medium heat on the stove.
Want to try another variety of grains? Bob’s Red Mill brand has an array of whole grains to choose from, including gluten-free options.

FAQ

Is hot cereal good for you?

Yes. It is a naturally nutritious meal. This recipe focuses more on overall taste but if you use low-fat milk or nondairy milk and omit the salt and sugar, it is healthier.

What are examples of hot cereals?

Hot cereal includes oatmeal, millet, farro, brown rice bran, and cornmeal.

Is it better to make Cream of Wheat with milk or water?

You can make cream of wheat with milk, water, or both. However, with just water, the porridge is rather bland. If you choose to make cream of wheat with only milk, do not bring it to a boil. Instead, just warm it.

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4 servings