This post is sponsored by B&G. All comments and opinions are my own.

We’ve all had those mornings where breakfast feels like a chore… a repetitive cycle of plain toast or a protein bar eaten over a keyboard. But, I’m a firm believer that your first meal should be the highlight of your morning, not just a box to check off your to-do list.

I thought I’d offer up a way to make your first meal of the day something that you will look forward to eating. It starts with a nostalgic pantry staple but we’ll give it a sophisticated, cafe-style makeover. It’s time to move past the basic breakfast and replace it with a multi-layered experience—my Cream of Wheat Breakfast Parfaits with a Homemade Maple-Toasted Granola.

The secret to a breakfast you actually look forward to is contrast. This tasty meal offers you the silky, warming comfort of a smooth grain paired with a high-impact, nutty crunch. By using Cream of Wheat as your base, you get a light, iron-rich canvas that carries flavors beautifully without feeling heavy. A swirl of Polaner Preserves provides the perfect amount of fruity sweetness. All of that’s layered between the most addictive granola you’ll ever eat. Everything combines for a meal that feels like a treat but fuels you like a powerhouse.

To start just gather a few essentials:

McCann’s Irish Oats: These hearty, steel-cut oats are the secret to a professional-grade granola. They provide a toasted, nutty “snap” that stays crunchy even when layered.

Spring Tree Maple Syrup: To get that deep, rich sweetness in our granola, we’re skipping refined sugars and using 100% pure maple syrup. It caramelizes the oats perfectly in the oven.

Polaner Verry Berry Fruit Spreads or Organic Preserves: These aren’t your average spreads. Each of the delicious varieties are made without artificial colors and contain Non-GMO Project Verified ingredients.

Maple-Toasted Granola

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 30 minutes mins

Servings: 12

Course: Breakfast

Ingredients Method

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup McCann's Steel Cut Irish Oats
• 1 cup mixed nuts pecans, walnuts, pistachios, almonds --any combination
• 1/4 cup melted butter
• 3 tbsp Spring Tree Maple Syrup
• 1 tbsp Spice Islands Ground Cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1 1/2 tsp Spice Islands Vanilla Extract
• 1/2 cup dried fruit
• 3 oz coconut strips

Method

 

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. To a medium bowl, add the oats, nuts, melted butter, maple syrup, cinnamon, salt and vanilla extract and mix to combine.
3. Spread the mixture onto a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes.
4. Remove from oven and sprinkle the dried fruit and coconut strips over the granola. Use a spatula to gently combine.
5. Place the mixture back into the oven for an additional 12 minutes.
6. Remove from oven and let cool completely. Store in a sealed container. 

To create your parfait, start with a layer of your Maple-Toasted Granola in a glass or jar for that essential crunch. Top it with a generous helping of prepared Cream of Wheat Instant Cereal, then add a  layer of your favorite Polaner Verry Berry or Organic Preserves. Finish it off with fresh fruit and an extra sprinkle of granola. You have the most amazing combination of silky-smooth comfort and gourmet crunch to kickstart your day.

Luckily you can get everything you need PLUS savings when you shop at Publix. Grab these deals to stock your pantry for a month of better mornings.

Spring Tree Syrup 32 oz, $17.49 (valid 3/14 – 3/27)

Polaner Organic Preserves and Verry Berry, BOGO (valid 3/12 – 3/18 or 3/11 – 3/17 for some)

McCann’s Imported Quick & Easy Steel Cut Irish Oatmeal 24 oz, $5.39 (valid 2/23 – 3/23)

Cream Of Wheat 12 – 28 oz, $4.99 – $5.49 (everyday low price)