This Vintage Oatmeal Breakfast Trick Will Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth

Sure, you could simply microwave your oatmeal and dig in as is, but there are many ways to make the breakfast food taste better that don't take much effort. And if you're someone who tends to like your oatmeal on the sweeter side, there's an old-school trick that will satisfy your craving. All it takes is to stir a little sweetened condensed milk into your morning bowl of oatmeal, no matter what the oats are.

You might be used to using sweetened condensed milk for desserts like three-ingredient fudge, but it's been used to sweeten up oatmeal since back in the day. Both Chinese and Mexican communities have used this ingredient in oatmeal for years. A little bit of sweetened condensed milk will add a subtle sweetness to the oatmeal, similar to how brown sugar does. However, it will also make your morning (or afternoon) oatmeal even creamier than water or regular milk, so there's more than one perk to using this ingredient. Not to mention, it's a surefire way to use up leftover sweetened condensed milk that might be leftover from your last batch of baked goods.

In addition to how delicious sweetened condensed milk will make your oatmeal, another perk is how effortless the upgrade is. For every serving of oatmeal, it only takes a couple of tablespoons of condensed milk to sweeten it up; we'll leave the culinary math to you if you want to make a bigger batch to feed your family or a crowd. After you've cooked your oatmeal to your preferred consistency, all it takes is to pour in a tablespoon or two of condensed milk, stir it to fully combine, and then it's time to eat. Easy, right?

Of course, there are other ways to upgrade your oatmeal with a little sweetness. If you don't have sweetened condensed milk, consider a sprinkle of brown or white sugar or a little honey or maple syrup instead. Sweetened dried fruits like cranberries will add a dose of chewiness and sweetness to your breakfast. Fresh fruits like berries will do the trick too. A spoonful of peanut butter or chocolate shavings will take the sweetness factor to another level if that's how you prefer to start your day. And if you aren't used to cooking with the ingredient, here are major mistakes to avoid with condensed milk, like confusing it with evaporated milk.