Cream of Wheat Recipe (2024)

Author: Peter Kolesnichenko · Published: Sep 5, 2022

You'll love this homemade Cream of Wheat recipe! A healthy hot breakfast cereal that warms you from the inside out on a cold winters day. A wheat semolina porridge or farina that's ready to eat in 10 minutes!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Easy - anyone can make this recipe with only 5 ingredients, it was one of the first recipes my son learned to make
Economical - perfect if you're on a budget, Semolina is super affordable
Quick - only take 10 minutes to make
Tasty Variations - many ways to add extra flavors to personalize this Cream of Wheat recipe

What is Cream of Wheat?

You might be surprised to find out that Cream of Wheat is actually a brand name, like Kleenex or Band-Aid. It's a breakfast style porridge that's made from Farina, but is interchangeably made as a Semolina Porridge. For all purposes, Semolina is Cream of Wheat and Farina.

This Cream of Wheat recipe, known as Mannaya Kasha, is a popular breakfast in Eastern Europe and Russia. Semolina or Farina is cooked in milk on a stovetop to make a hot breakfast porridge, smooth and creamy. It's been made since the Roman times.

Mannaya Kasha

This Russian Cream of Wheat recipe, is called Mannaya Kasha (манная каша or mannaya krupa). Kasha's have been eaten in Russia for 1000 years, and are a staple of Russian and Eastern European foods. There are different versions across Eastern and Central Europe as well.

Mannaya Kasha is made with Mannaya Krupa (Semolina), sugar, salt and milk. The secret flavor booster in the Slavic version is the addition of extra butter into your serving bowl. The butter mixes in and melts, making it extra creamy.

Ingredients You'll Need

• Milk - whole milk will give your the creamiest result
• Semolina - finely ground or farina
• Butter - for creaminess
• Sugar - a touch of sweetness
• Salt - to balance out the sugar

Cream of Wheat Instructions

• Pour milk into a saucepan and bring to a low boil
• Slowly add the semolina in small amounts (a teaspoon at a time) into the hot milk, while constantly stirring rapidly. Keep rapidly stirring while adding more semolina.
• Continue to stir until porridge starts to thicken to your desired consistency.
• Add sugar, salt and butter and stir until combined.
• Serve with an extra knob of butter, and your toppings of choice

Where to Buy Cream of Wheat

You can buy Cream of Wheat at any grocery store or online. Semolina is also easily available, including Semolina flour. Here are some brands and suggestions.

• Bob's Red Mill Wheat Cereal
• Malt O Meal Farina
• Mannaya Kasha from your Eastern European Store/Deli
• Semolina Flour or Fine Semolina

How to Make Cream of Wheat Fun

• Peanut Butter - mix in a few tablespoons of peanut butter into the saucepan
• Maple Syrup - a tasty breakfast staple
• Kisel - an Eastern European thickened berry dessert, traditionally spooned through
• Jam - mix in a tablespoon of jam into each bowl when serving
• Brown Sugar - the creaminess blends perfectly with brown sugar
• Fresh Blueberries - actually any berries are a tasty way add extra vitamins and flavor
• Spices - add cinnamon, nutmeg or Pumpkin Spice
• Nuts - top with slivered almonds, walnuts or pecans
• Honey - drizzle with honey for natural sweetness
• Homemade Caramel - or dulce de leche, so good!
• Bananas and Bacon - this is what Elvis would have had for breakfast!

Can you Make Cream of Wheat in Advance

I don't recommend. It can't be re-heated in a way that anyone finds pleasantly edible. It becomes hard, lumpy and doesn't break down to it's original creamy form. It's best to be prepared and served hot right away. Remember, it only takes minutes to prepare.

Is Semolina Gluten Free?

Semolina is not gluten free. If you want a make a gluten free Cream of Wheat recipe, substitute Semolina with a fine ground pure Cornmeal or Polenta. The flavors are very similar, and you might not even notice the difference.

Is Semolina Healthy?

• Low in cholesterol - especially if you use plant based milks to prepare
• Strengthens immunity - Selenium found in Semolina has antioxidant properties
• Low GI - means it causes less impact on your blood glucose levels, great for diabetics
• Rich in Vitamins - Vitamin A, B1, B2, B6, B9, B12
• Low Calorie - keeps you full longer, preventing an extra morning snack

Pro Tips

• Always use whole milk (or full cream milk) for creamiest result! Cooking with water might be low calorie, but also low in taste
• For Vegan version - substitute milk with Almond, Soy Milk or Coconut Milk or non-dairy alternatives, and skip the butter
• If your Semolina Porridge is too thick, just add more milk and stir to thin it out
• Don't Rush! Slowly pour in the Semolina (farina) into the milk, while constantly stirring. If you add the semolina too quickly, it will clump up into small balls, ruining the consistency of your porridge

Breakfast Recipes You'll Love

• Kefir Pancakes
• Buckwheat Porridge
• Shakshuka Eggs with Feta
• Bacon and Egg Stuffed Crepes
• 3 Ingredient Scones

Cream of Wheat made from scratch is easy to make, budget friendly and delicious! So if you see Semolina in the grocery store, buy it, and give this delicious breakfast recipe a try! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

©PetersFoodAdventures.com