If you’re a fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal—as I absolutely am—you’re going to love this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe. It’s like the best parts of breakfast and dessert got together for a sweet breakfast-for-dinner mashup, with that iconic cinnamon-sugar flavor baked right into soft, chewy cookies. I first tried this recipe on a whim, and my family went crazy over how fun and nostalgic it tastes.
The best thing about this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to pull off, even if you’re not a seasoned baker. It works wonderfully for an after-school snack, a cozy weekend treat, or a crowd-pleasing dessert at your next game night. You’ll find that the cereal adds a delightful crunch and texture that really sets these cookies apart.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Nostalgic Flavor Boost: The crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal adds an unmistakable cinnamon-sugar crunch that takes these cookies to another level.
- Simple Ingredients: You probably already have most of these pantry staples, making it a quick and fuss-free treat.
- Perfect Texture: These cookies strike the ideal balance between chewy and crunchy, thanks to the cereal and creamed butter.
- Fun and Family-Friendly: Kids love helping to crush the cereal and drizzle the icing—always a win for family baking sessions.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe calls for simple, classic baking ingredients that work beautifully with the star of the show—Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Using fresh cinnamon and good quality butter really helps bring the flavors alive.
- All-purpose flour: Provides structure and the perfect base for soft cookies.
- Baking soda: Helps the cookies rise just the right amount for a tender crumb.
- Ground cinnamon: Amplifies that warm spice flavor—don’t skip it!
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavors overall.
- Unsalted butter (room temperature): Creams beautifully with sugar and adds richness.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with crisp edges.
- Light brown sugar: Adds moisture and that hint of molasses flavor.
- Egg: Binds ingredients and contributes to chewiness.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out flavors with a subtle sweetness.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (crushed): The secret to texture and that beloved cinnamon crunch.
- Confectioners’ sugar (for icing): Makes the perfect silky drizzle on top.
- Milk (for icing): Thins the icing so it drizzles beautifully.
- Pinch of cinnamon and salt (for icing): Adds just a hint of spice and balances the sweetness.
Variations
I love how versatile this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is—you can tweak it in lots of fun ways depending on what you have on hand or your dietary preferences. Don’t hesitate to get creative and make it your own!
- Add-ins: I sometimes throw in a handful of white chocolate chips or chopped pecans for extra texture and flavor complexity.
- Gluten-free version: Swap the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend that measures cup-for-cup—I’ve tried it, and it works well!
- Vegan adaptation: Use vegan butter and a flax egg replacement to make these dairy- and egg-free without sacrificing taste.
- Extra cinnamon kick: Sprinkle a bit more cinnamon on top before baking if you want a spicier cookie.
How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Prep Your Dry Ingredients
Start by whisking together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a medium bowl. Mixing these first ensures an even distribution of the leavening agent and spices, which helps your cookies bake evenly with consistent flavor. I like to set this aside while I work on the wet ingredients, so everything is ready when I need it.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a hand mixer, beat the room temperature butter with the granulated and brown sugars on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial because well-creamed butter and sugar trap air that helps give your cookies a nice rise and tender crumb.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla
Next, mix in the egg and vanilla extract just until combined. Overmixing here can lead to tougher cookies, so stop once you see everything come together smoothly.
Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Cereal
With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mixing slowly and just until combined prevents overdeveloping the gluten, ensuring your cookies stay tender. Then, fold in the crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal by hand with a spatula. This folding helps keep those cool crunchy bits intact and evenly distributed.
Step 5: Scoop and Bake
Using about 3 tablespoons of dough per cookie, scoop them onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat, spacing them an inch apart. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges are just turning golden. Don’t overbake—these cookies continue to set as they cool, so you want them soft and chewy inside.
Step 6: Prepare and Drizzle Icing
While the cookies cool completely on wire racks, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, cinnamon, and salt to make a smooth icing. Once cooled, drizzle it over the cookies for an extra cinnamon-sweet pop that’s irresistibly good.
Pro Tips for Making Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Room Temperature Butter: Make sure your butter is soft but not melting to get the fluffiest cookie base.
- Crushing Cereal: I found giving the cereal a gentle crush with a rolling pin inside a bag keeps big chunks without pulverizing into dust.
- Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough until just combined for tender cookies with a great crumb, otherwise they get tough.
- Watch the Baking Time: Pull the cookies out right as edges turn golden; they firm up perfectly on cooling.
How to Serve Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick to the cinnamon-spiced icing drizzle because it adds just enough sweetness and a lovely finish without overpowering the cookie. But sometimes I sprinkle a pinch of extra cinnamon or even a few crushed cereal pieces on top for some fun texture.
Side Dishes
These cookies pair beautifully with a cold glass of milk or a creamy vanilla latte if you’re in need of a coffee kick. For a decadent treat, a scoop of cinnamon or vanilla ice cream on the side really elevates things.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or gatherings, I like arranging these cookies on a platter with little bowls of extra crushed cereal and cinnamon sugar nearby so guests can customize their bites. They also look adorable stacked with candy cane sticks as handles for a fun twist during the holiday season.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature, layered between sheets of parchment paper to prevent sticking. They usually stay fresh and chewy for up to 4 days, but I promise they rarely last that long around here!
Freezing
You can freeze the cookie dough balls ahead of time, which is a lifesaver for busy days. Just scoop them on a tray, freeze until solid, then transfer to a zip-top bag. When ready to bake, pop them in the oven straight from the freezer, adding a minute or two to bake time.
Reheating
If you have any leftover baked cookies, warming them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes refreshes that just-baked softness. Avoid the microwave as it can make them too soft or chewy.
FAQs
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Can I use a different cereal instead of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
Absolutely! While Cinnamon Toast Crunch is the classic choice here, you can experiment with cereals like Frosted Mini-Wheats or Golden Grahams for a slightly different flavor and texture. Just be mindful that the cinnamon sugar flavor is key to the cookie’s appeal.
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How do I crush the cereal without it turning into powder?
I recommend placing the cereal inside a sealed plastic bag and gently pressing with a rolling pin or your hands to break it into smaller chunks. This method preserves texture and prevents it from becoming too fine, which can affect the cookie’s crunch.
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Can I make this recipe vegan?
Yes! Swap out butter for a vegan alternative and replace the egg with a flaxseed or chia egg (1 tablespoon ground seeds + 3 tablespoons water) to maintain texture. Just keep in mind the cereal you use is also vegan-friendly.
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What’s the best way to store these cookies?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days to keep them soft and fresh. For longer storage, freezing baked cookies is a great option.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, I recommend trying this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe as soon as possible—it’s a fun, nostalgic twist on classic cookies that never fails to bring smiles. Whether you’re baking for your family, friends, or just treating yourself, these cookies deliver irresistible flavor and that perfect cinnamon crunch we all crave. Trust me, once you make these, they’ll quickly become a go-to recipe in your collection.
PrintCinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 18 cookies 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cookies, featuring the nostalgic cinnamon-sugar flavor and crunch of the popular cereal folded into a soft cookie base. Topped with a simple cinnamon-spiced icing drizzle, these cookies offer a perfect balance of sweetness, spice, and texture for a fun and comforting treat.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
Icing
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- Pinch ground cinnamon
- Pinch salt
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a Silpat for easy cleanup.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. Set this mixture aside for later.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: Using a stand mixer with paddle attachment or a hand mixer in a bowl, cream the unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and light brown sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until just combined, being careful not to overmix.
- Combine Flour Mixture: With your mixer on low speed, gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep cookies tender.
- Fold in Cereal: Gently fold in the crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal to evenly distribute it throughout the dough.
- Portion Dough: Scoop about 3 tablespoons of cookie dough (or use a #20 cookie scoop) onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them about an inch apart.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden brown. Remove from oven and allow cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Prepare Icing: While the cookies cool, whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, milk, ground cinnamon, and a pinch of salt in a small bowl until smooth and well combined.
- Drizzle Icing: Once the cookies are completely cool, drizzle the cinnamon icing over the tops for a sweet finishing touch.
Notes
- Crushing the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal by hand or in a plastic bag with a rolling pin works well to maintain some texture for the cookies.
- Be careful not to over-bake the cookies; they should be slightly soft in the center when removed to retain a chewy texture.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and use a plant-based milk in the icing.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- The icing adds a nice glaze, but you can omit it if preferred.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 cookie
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 25mg