molasses cream cereal
November 30, 2011 This recipe has been on my mind since making pumpkin cream cereal, a few months ago. And actually, I haven’t made popped amaranth since that day. Which makes absolutely no sense! It’s one of my favorite things to chomp on for breakfast.
You would think with how light and fluffy it is, that it wouldn’t be too filling. However, that is not even close to the truth. I’m still surprised by how filling this awesome little grain/seed is! The only way I enjoy amaranth, is in popped form for cereal. I’m not a fan of the cooked grain at all. The flavor is too strong and it seems to always turn gummy.
Besides this stuff tasting great + being fun to eat, it’s nutritionally packed.
In the 1/3c [pre popped] serving above, you have 240 cals, 9g protein, 6g fiber, 27% iron + 10% calcium.
And molasses? 1 Tablespoon has 20% of your daily iron AND calcium.
I must say, this keeps me full longer than a bowl of oats with similar calorie content. Not sure what the difference is!
I could have just slurped the milk right out of the blender! This would be a great smoothie recipe with a little more thickness to it. Just add protein powder, chia seeds, flax, banana, etc. to achieve a thicker consistency.
This blows boxed cereal straight to the curb!
Now to randomly interrupt this post, a few more workout related things. Two new plans I’m currently researching are, Tone It Up and Jamie Eason’s Livefit Trainer. The only thing about the Livefit training program is that I no longer have access to a gym, which make this plan much more convenient. I’ll have to research modifications or at-home ideas for some of the exercises. However, we just realized we have to give our gym 30 days of notice before canceling. Oops. Guess I have 30 days to get some use out of it!
The great thing about both of these plans, is that they are FREE and don’t require an hour in front of the TV.
Now back to this overflowing bowl of creamy, crunch!
Molasses Cream Cereal
- 1/3c raw amaranth
- 1 – 1 1/4c unsweetened almond milk
- 1/2c pumpkin puree
- 1T molasses
- 1t honey
- 3/4t cinnamon
- 1/4t ginger
- 1/4t vanilla extract
- pinch of cloves/nutmeg
- toppings – nuts/bananas/dried fruit/coconut/apples/pears/etc.
- Follow these directions for popping amaranth. [should only take about 5 minutes]
- Whisk/blend milk, pumpkin, molasses, honey, cinnamon, ginger, vanilla, cloves, and nutmeg together until smooth.
- Top amaranth with nuts/dried fruit + pour on creamy milk mixture.
tips/substitutions: Feel free to use any type of milk. Other great add-ins to the milk are: 1 scoop protein powder, 1/2 banana, 1T chia seeds, 1T flax, 1T nut butter. Feel free to sub 1/2 banana for the pumpkin if you choose. The consistency of my mixture with 1c almond milk was creamy + thick, but not smoothie-thick. Add more milk to reach your desired consistency.
A little behind the scenes action for you! I went handheld today because I was feeling tripod-lazy. Happens sometimes!
The nutrition facts below are calculated using 1 1/4c milk and all other ingredients listed above, but does not include the toppings. Add a handful of nuts for an extremely satisfying + filling breakfast!
Maybe I should open a cereal shop? I suppose donuts would also be a necessity on the menu!
The Colorado sunset, Kenna and Dakota wanted to say hello!
Ridiculously happy dog.
Mildly depressed dog.
Speaking of donuts + molasses….it’s about that time!
Ashley
Reader Comments (60)
I fink I just died/swooned a little bit. #ilovemolasses #blackstrapbetchforeva
What a gorgeous sunset! I have been gifted with a jar of molasses by a friend, and have been putting it in EVERYTHING! It reminds me of being little -- my mom used to give me a spoonful of the blackstrap molasses for iron content -- I was a lucky girl haha.
Amaranth is such a gorgeous pseudo-grain...what a great way to start the morning!
I love molasses anything. This looks like a great way to get my molasses groove on :)
mmm that mixture is way better than just plain old milk. I think every bowl of cereal should require a good helping of that instead!
Oooh wow! I need to give popping amaranth another shot for this marvelous looking combo! I only tried it once--it didn't work out and I got frustrated haha!
Firstly, delicious looking cereal! I love molasses and it gives things such a delicious deep sweetness that I adore this time of year. And secondly, I just finished Jamie Eason's Live Fit Trainer and really enjoyed it! You're right - gym access is definitely convenient for that one. But like you mentioned, there are modifications that can be done and there are those emergency no-gym workouts that she posted too. Good luck!
How funny....I snapped a remarkably similar photo last night while out on a run with Ava! The sun setting over the mountains was so GORGEOUS. It made the sky getting dark by 5 totally worth it.
I've never had amaranth before. Can you find it at regular grocery stores? Clueless.
Molasses cream - wowza, does this sound good! I bet it's perfect on a piping hot bowl of oatmeal, too. Maybe even a warm crumb cake??
Your "mildly depressed dog" photo reminds me so much of my dog. She constantly looks worried, despite having an extremely cushy life. It cracks me up.
Your blog actually inspired me to try amaranth for the first time earlier this year. I followed your instructions for popping it, and it turned out awesome! Of course, I burned the first couple of batches, but eventually got the hang of it. :)
I luv amaranth...perfect cozy breakfast for a snowy day like today!! :)
This sounds and looks perfect! YUM :)
I love molasses. I love cereal. If you open a cereal shop, I'm moving to town! :)
Oh my gosh - I want to be eating that right now!!!
please come pop my amaranth for me.
uh, how dirty does that sound?
Love those photos - and the placemat!
i can't wait to hear what you think about those workout programs. i'm currently not in a state to start something new, but once baby gets here i'm going to jump back into working out harder and trying new things!
Your pictures of your dogs with your captions gave me my morning giggle! I am such a dog lover...too bad we have dog allergies in the house! I recently purchased some molasses and have been adding it to my morning breakfast 'creation'. I previously was using Buckwheat honey as it has a similar flavour. Loving the molasses...Gingerbread Cookies are calling my name!
i'm doing Jamie's livefit trainer at the moment and am OBSESSED. LOVE it!! Seeing great results :) I have done some of tone-it ups workouts and while they are great, I'm seeing better results with Jamie's program
This sounds delicious! I love molasses and I have been meaning to make this cereal for a while now. Does it store well? To save time I would probably pop a cup or so at once so I grab some for a quick breakfast.
I need to try my hand at popping that amaranth again. I will get it! This recipe looks so good it gives me the push I need to get in the kitchen and keep trying!
I love popping amaranth- so fun! (As long as I don't burn it!!)
And those puppy faces... I just love them! (There is just something about a boxer's face that kills me!)
I just wish I was better at popping amaranth! I've tried so many times but 90% of the time I end up burning it. I am very much looking forward to a molasses & donut combo though!
Mmmm sounds delish!!
btw, loveee tone it up! Their workouts are so fun!
I have never tried amaranth but this looks delicious!
Oooh, I'm sorry you've had a hard time with it! Not sure if I've told you the 2 key tips...making sure your pan is preheated fully + having the heat high enough. It should pop within seconds! I know it can sometimes be fussy though!
Yes!! I hope you do!
If you let it cool and store in a sealed bag or tupperware, it should store for at least a week. Probably longer if kept in the fridge.
Awesome! Good to hear! I just don't get what you do after the 12 weeks. I haven't looked into it, but how do you not lose it all? What I like about body rock is that you do it a few days a week, consistently, and can work in cardio. So you're always maintaining + improving. I haven't looked, but maybe there is a "continuing" part to the Livefit plan?
Buckwheat honey sounds amazing. I've never heard of it!
I will keep everyone posted! Although Chris just said he wants to train for a Century ride in the spring...haha, so now I'm really stumped with what to start! [I would do the Century as well]
Anthro clearance! :)
That does sound dirty. Love it.
Sounds like a plan!
I'm so glad the amaranth came out! I know it can sometimes be tricky!
Ummmm, that sounds amazing!!!!! Great ideas!
Probably not at the regular store. Bob's Red Mill packages it, or you may find it in bulk bins.
Good to know there are modifications. Definitely will be looking into this plan more!
It takes a time or two to get the hang of. Hope you can figure it out!! The keys are: fully preheating the pot/pan : having the heat set high enough : only popping 1-2T at a time - It should start popping almost instantly!
Really want to try this combo...Do you think that you could pop amaranth in a hot air popper? Thanks!
I've heard it turns into a huge mess!!
I've gotta try this! I had no idea that amaranth cereal is so easy to make. Love the molasses/pumpkin/almond milk topping. Yum!
I absolutely adore molasses...I can only imagine how great this is!
i have NEVER thought to add anything to my milk when i'm eating cold cereal. i cannot believe how beautiful this recipe looks. thanks, ashley!
Yum! I have yet to try popped amaranth but I have a jar full of amaranth in my pantry that I haven't used in forever, this recipe sounds great!
FYI- You accidently repeated this blurb twice-
" However, we just realized we have to give our gym 30 days of notice before canceling. Oops. Guess I have 30 days to get some use out of it!"
Have a great Friday! :)
I loovvvve these pictures! #9 is my fave. I still haven't made the pumpkin cream - but it's definately on my to-do list because I've thought about it like every day since you posted it hahah. & also love the doggy pictures :)
HA! Well that is pretty embarrassing. Especially because I definitely re-read my posts! Thanks for letting me know!
Hope you love it!! :)
Thanks Andrea! :)
This cereal looks fantastic! I can't wait to try it. I love popped amaranth, and I've been making your pumpkin cream version regularly since you posted it. It's one of my favorite breakfasts! I love molasses, so I'm sure this will become a favorite too.