Warm, buttery cookies studded with cinnamon toast crunch create an irresistible dessert that bridges childhood nostalgia with gourmet baking.
Crunchy cereal pieces add unexpected texture to these delightful treats.
Sweet, crisp edges complement a soft, chewy center that melts in your mouth.
Each batch promises a delectable twist on classic cookie recipes.
The fragrant aroma of cinnamon and brown sugar will draw everyone to the kitchen.
These cookies transform a beloved breakfast cereal into an extraordinary dessert experience.
Bake a batch and watch smiles spread across faces eager to savor this playful, delicious creation.
Steps to Bake Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies
Warm Up the Oven Prep your baking space by heating the oven to a cozy 350F and line your baking sheets with parchment paper.
Whip Up the Base Cream together butter and sugars until they transform into a fluffy cloud of deliciousness.
Blend in the Wet Ingredients Gently add eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and inviting.
Mix the Dry Components In a separate bowl, combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and a sprinkle of cinnamon for extra magic.
Combine Wet and Dry Gradually merge the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
Crush and Fold Gently fold in crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch, creating pockets of crunchy sweetness throughout the dough.
Shape and Decorate Scoop out dough balls, placing them on the baking sheet with a few whole cereal pieces on top for extra crunch.
Bake to Perfection Slide the cookies into the oven and bake for 10-12 minutes until the edges turn golden and centers look just set.
Cool and Enjoy Let the cookies rest on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely before devouring.
Tips to Elevate Your Cookie Game
Gently crush Cinnamon Toast Crunch to maintain some texture for extra crunch in every bite.
Prepare cookie dough in advance and refrigerate for up to 3 days to develop deeper flavor profiles.
Replace all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend and use certified gluten-free Cinnamon Toast Crunch for celiac-friendly cookies.
Substitute butter with coconut oil or vegan butter alternative to create a dairy-free version without compromising taste.
For mini cookies, reduce dough portion to 1 tablespoon and decrease baking time by 2-3 minutes to prevent over-browning.
Serve These Cookies with Ice Cream or Milk
Sweet Breakfast Companion: Pair these delightful cookies with a cold glass of milk for a nostalgic morning treat that brings back childhood memories.
Dessert Transformation: Crumble the cookies over vanilla ice cream or yogurt to create a crunchy, cinnamon-spiced topping that adds exciting texture and flavor.
Gifting Delight: Package the cooled cookies in cute mason jars or cellophane bags tied with ribbons for a charming homemade gift that friends and family will absolutely love.
Coffee Sidekick: Serve alongside a steaming cappuccino or latte, letting the cookie's cinnamon notes complement the rich coffee flavors for a perfect afternoon indulgence.
Store Cookie Batches for Days
Keep freshly baked cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. The crisp cereal texture remains delightful when sealed properly.
Wrap unbaked cookie dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in freezer bags. Frozen dough stays good for 3 months. Bake directly from frozen state, adding 1-2 extra minutes to cooking time.
Stack cookies between parchment paper layers to prevent sticking and maintain their original crispy texture. This technique keeps each cookie looking perfect and tasting fresh.
Allow cookies to cool completely before storing to prevent moisture buildup. Residual heat can create unwanted condensation, potentially making cookies soggy or losing their signature crunch.
Quick Recipe Overview
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 12 minutes
Total Time: 27 minutes
Calories: 150 kcal
Servings: 13
Ingredients for Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies
For Base Ingredients:
Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation for tender cookie texture, choose high-quality unsalted butter for best flavor control.
Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel notes and moisture, look for fresh, soft brown sugar without hardened clumps.
Granulated Sugar: Creates crisp edges and sweetness, select fine-grain sugar for smooth blending.
Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure, use fresh room-temperature eggs for even mixing.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor complexity, opt for pure vanilla for authentic taste.
Sweet memories collide with Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies, blending childhood nostalgia and irresistible homemade charm. Crisp edges, chewy centers, and crushed cereal create a delightful dessert that will transport you to comfort and pure indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
2 large eggs
1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
½ cup granulated sugar
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (crushed, but still a bit chunky)
½ cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (whole, for topping)
2 tsps vanilla extract
1 tsp baking soda
½ tsp baking powder
½ tsp salt
½ tsp ground cinnamon (optional, for extra flavor)
Instructions
Preparation: Heat oven to 350F (175C) and line baking sheets with parchment paper, creating a pristine surface for cookie assembly.
Creaming: Blend butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until achieving a light, airy consistency, creating a smooth foundational mixture.
Wet Ingredient Integration: Incorporate eggs individually, then infuse vanilla extract, ensuring thorough and even distribution throughout the mixture.
Dry Mixture Composition: Combine flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon in a separate vessel, whisking to create a uniform dry blend.
Ingredient Fusion: Gradually merge dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms, avoiding overmixing.
Cereal Incorporation: Tenderly fold crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch into the dough, distributing cereal fragments evenly throughout.
Portioning and Styling: Form dough into uniform balls, positioning them strategically on prepared sheets with ample spacing; garnish each cookie with whole cereal pieces for visual appeal.
Baking Process: Slide sheets into preheated oven, allowing cookies to transform for 10-12 minutes until edges develop a golden hue and centers stabilize.
Cooling Protocol: Allow cookies to rest momentarily on baking sheet, then transition to wire rack for complete cooling and texture refinement.
Notes
Break Cinnamon Toast Crunch into small, uneven pieces to ensure varied texture and crunchy bites throughout the cookie.
Don’t overmix the dough to prevent tough cookies; mix just until ingredients are combined for soft, tender results.
Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother blending and more consistent cookie texture and spread.
Reserve extra whole cereal pieces to press on top of cookies for enhanced visual appeal and additional crispness.
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Program: Culinary Arts, Associate of Applied Science
Focus: Emphasis on mastering core culinary competencies, like safety and sanitation, hot, cold, and pastry techniques, while cultivating appreciation of global cuisines and developing operational skills in nutrition, menu design, costing, purchasing, and supervisory management.
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.
Michael Thompson
Founder & Culinary Director
Expertise
Classical & Contemporary Cooking Techniques, Global Cuisine Appreciation, Nutrition & Menu Engineering, Sustainable Cooking Practices, Farm-to-Table Cuisine
Education
Southwestern Oregon Community College
Michael grew up in Oregon, where he learned early that food tastes better when it’s fresh, local, and made with care.
After earning his degree from the Southwestern Oregon Community College, he focused his career on teaching others how to cook with the seasons, reduce food waste, and reconnect with what’s on their plate.
Michael keeps his cooking simple, sustainable, and full of flavor. His favorite part of the process? Watching people realize how easy and satisfying it can be to cook a single great meal from scratch.