I am on a mission. That mission is to find ways to use my brûlée torch in many different meals. I think it can be so much more than a dessert tool. My brûlée torch is destined for great things—I’ve just got to facilitate the opportunities. First up, let’s tackle breakfast.
If you’re not already a fan of steel cut oats, then this recipe might just convert you. We’ll be adding a secret ingredient that makes the oats SO creamy and then the brûléed top just hits it out of the park for me. It’s dessert breakfast. Which is totally a thing, I swear!
Steel Cut Brûlée Oats, serves 2-3.
1/2 cup steel cut oats
1 cup whole milk
1 cup water
2 oz. cream cheese (the secret ingredient!)
2 tablespoons brown sugar, honey, or maple syrup
3-4 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the tops)
This recipe takes about 25-30 minutes from start to finish. If you feel that’s too long to fit into your morning routine, I hear you! One awesome thing about steel cut oats is you can easily make a double batch and refrigerate to use throughout the week (just rewarm in the oven or microwave). It holds up and doesn’t go to mush like traditional oatmeal sometimes does when saved for too long.
In a small/medium size pot, bring the milk and water to a boil. Add the oats and stir for one minute. Then turn the heat down to a simmer and allow to cook for 20-25 minutes. I’ll give it a stir every few minutes to avoid any oats getting stuck to the bottom of the pan, but you don’t have to baby it quite as much as, say, risotto.
During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking (when it looks like most of the moisture has absorbed into the oats), add the cream cheese and your sweetener of choice. Taste and add more sweetener if you like.
Place in a small bowl and use a spoon to get the surface as even as possible. Then top with granulated sugar (or super fine/baker’s sugar works well too if you have some on hand). Torch until the top begins to caramelize. Serve warm with fresh fruit. Yay for dessert breakfast! xo. Emma
Credits // Author and Photography: Emma Chapman. Photos edited with A Beautiful Mess actions.
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Ingredients
- ½ cup steel cut oats
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1 cup water
- 2 oz. cream cheese (the secret ingredient!)
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar (honey, or maple syrup)
- 3-4 tablespoons granulated sugar (for the tops)
Instructions
- This recipe takes about 25-30 minutes from start to finish. If you feel that's too long to fit into your morning routine, I hear you! One awesome thing about steel cut oats is you can easily make a double batch and refrigerate to use throughout the week (just rewarm in the oven or microwave). It holds up and doesn't go to mush like traditional oatmeal sometimes does when saved for too long.
- In a small/medium size pot, bring the milk and water to a boil. Add the oats and stir for one minute. Then turn the heat down to a simmer and allow to cook for 20-25 minutes. I'll give it a stir every few minutes to avoid any oats getting stuck to the bottom of the pan, but you don't have to baby it quite as much as, say, risotto.
- During the last 2-3 minutes of cooking (when it looks like most of the moisture has absorbed into the oats), add the cream cheese and your sweetener of choice. Taste and add more sweetener if you like.
- Place in a small bowl and use a spoon to get the surface as even as possible. Then top with granulated sugar (or super fine/baker's sugar works well too if you have some on hand). Torch until the top begins to caramelize. Serve warm with fresh fruit.
Yum!! I can’t wait to try this. I’m such an oatmeal junkie and always looking for new ways to eat it 🙂 Thanks for sharing!!
www.twentysomethink.com
Yum! Those look amazing! I got a torch a while ago, but I didn’t know what it use it for, but I’m definitely going to try this!
Laura
http://laurahager.blogspot.com/
Looks super good http://www.hannamarielei.com
This sounds delicious. Oatmeal is one of my favorite foods to have for breakfast. I am going to be giving this a try.
This is definitely comfort food for me, thank you for coming up with such a simple and heartwarming dessert!
Juju Sprinkles
http://www.jujusprinkles.com
Yum! This looks absolutely delicious! Emma, have you tried it with regular old-fashioned oats (not instant)? If so, does it hold up? Regardless, looks great!
What a great breakfast idea!
YUM! this is such a great idea!
xx nikki
www.dream-in-neon.com
Do you think coconut milk would work? Or cashew milk?
I’m definitely late to the steel cut oats party (before this post I didn’t even know that was a thing; horrible, I know 😉 ) I have to buy some now! Thanks for sharing this recipe 🙂
This looks sooo good!
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That’s looks so yummy!!! A perfect spring weekend breakfast dish
This combines two of my most favorite things– creme brulee and breakfast!! I can’t wait to try it!!
Hi Cyntia,
I am planning to share recipes from Whole 30 soon. They are all easy meals and snacks! :))
Thanks for asking!!
Elsie
It’s the first time I saw a porridge brulée ! So chic! Bravo Emma 🙂
These sound divine! They might be too rich for breakfast, but they sound divine!
Wow, these look fantastic. I love oats and I love creme brulee, so these are sure to go down a treat!
You had me at “brulee”, lol. Thank you for thinking of this for me 😉 I am SO getting out my torch for breakfast tomorrow! More things should be ‘bruleed’, if you ask me. Another tasty yet healthy one: fruit preserves, plain greek yogurt, top with sugar and torch. (I put the yogurt/fruit in the freezer for a few min to make it extra cold before torching.) Very yum as well.
www.everydaystilettos.com
I’m a fan of condensed milk too but sometimes I think it turns out too sweet (can’t believe I’m saying that). So I like that cream cheese adds tons of, well, creaminess but it doesn’t add too much sweetness. You can control how sweet it is more easily, which is good when it comes to breakfast. 🙂
-Emma
Are you going to share any recipes from Elsie’s Whole 30? I would love to see what kind of meals kept her going 🙂