This Steel-Cut Oatmeal With Salted Caramel Topping Will Sweeten Up Any Morning

There's typically nothing nutritious about salted caramel, that decadent dessert filling that oozes out of rich chocolate truffles, or gets drizzled over sky-high ice cream sundaes. But we decided to fix that, by upgrading the sweet and salty sauce with better-for-you ingredients and mixing it with a nutritious breakfast—to create a morning treat that won't wreck your healthy eating plan.

It was as simple as adding a bit of brown sugar, a dollop of whipped cream, and fresh berries to one of our favorite A.M. meals: steel-cut oatmeal. By popping the vitamin-packed bowl under the broiler for just two minutes, you'll create a sugary, crackly top that tastes way more decadent than it actually is.

Curious about the difference between classic rolled oats and the steel-cut variety? It has to do with the way the oats are processed. With steel-cut oats, the groats are cut into pieces rather than rolled. They have a chewier texture, and also take longer to cook. But busy bees need not worry: This recipe calls for instant steel-cut oats.

Oats offer major health benefits, no matter what type you choose. They are loaded with soluble fiber, which can help lower cholesterol and also fill you up (so you eat fewer calories throughout the rest of the day). They're also full of folate, potassium, and omega-3 fatty acids.

Watch this video to see just how easily you can elevate your classic bowl of oatmeal by adding a healthier salted caramel topping. Get ready to kick your day off on a sweeter note.