Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

I absolutely love how this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe brings that nostalgic cereal flavor straight into a soft, chewy cookie. When I first tried baking with Cinnamon Toast Crunch, I was blown away by how the cinnamon and sugar coating perfectly complemented the white chocolate chips, creating a flavor combo that’s truly addictive. You’ll find that these cookies work wonders as a special treat for weekend baking or to impress friends at your next gathering.

What makes this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe stand out is the addition of cream cheese frosting and a crunchy cereal garnish that adds the perfect balance of creaminess and texture. I’ve made these cookies multiple times for my family and every time their eyes light up when biting into these cinnamon-studded delights. Trust me, once you try this recipe, you’ll want to bake it again and again!

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Ingredients You’ll Need

All the ingredients for this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe come together to create a cookie that’s both rich and full of cinnamon goodness. Picking a good quality cinnamon and fresh butter really elevates the final flavor. Having all these pantry staples ready makes this recipe a breeze!

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal: The star ingredient that gives the cookies their signature crunch and flavor.
• All Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for the cookies.
• Cake Flour: Adds a light, tender texture to balance the chewiness.
• White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: This adds moisture and keeps the cookies soft.
• Ground Cinnamon: Amplifies the warm, spicy flavor – don’t skimp!
• Cornstarch: Helps keep the texture tender and prevents toughness.
• Baking Powder & Baking Soda: The leaveners that help with rise.
• Salt: Enhances all the flavors beautifully.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold and cubed for easy mixing, it adds richness and flavor.
• Brown Sugar: Brings moisture and a subtle molasses flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and slight crispness to the cookie edges.
• Vanilla Extract: Provides depth and warmth to the flavor profile.
• Large Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture.
• White Chocolate Chips: Sweet bites that complement the cinnamon perfectly.
• Sugar & Ground Cinnamon (for coating): Creates that irresistible cinnamon-sugar shell outside the cookies.
• Cream Cheese, Butter, Confectioners Sugar, Vanilla, and Salt (for frosting): Together make a luscious cream cheese frosting for topping.

Variations

One of the things I enjoy most about this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is how easily you can tailor it to your tastes. Whether you want to add a little extra crunch, swap out the frosting, or make it vegan-friendly, there are so many ways to make this recipe your own.

• Use Milk Chocolate Chips: I swapped white chocolate for milk chocolate once, and it gave the cookies a richer depth that my family adored.
• Gluten-Free Version: Substitute all-purpose and cake flour for a gluten-free blend; just monitor baking time as gluten-free dough can brown faster.
• Frosting Swap: Try a simple cinnamon buttercream instead of cream cheese frosting for a sweeter finish.
• Extra Crunch: Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for more texture and a nutty twist.

How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cinnamon Cereal and Dry Ingredients

Start by pulsing 2 cups of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal in a food processor for about 15 seconds until it’s crumbly but not completely powdered – you want little bits to add texture. Set this aside for later. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, white chocolate instant pudding mix, ground cinnamon, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these well up front helps your leaveners spread evenly for better texture.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar, Then Add Eggs and Vanilla

Using a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold cubed butter with brown and granulated sugars on medium speed. This should take about 3 to 4 minutes until the mixture looks lighter in color and puffy. Then, add the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Mixing on medium-low after adding eggs helps prevent curdling and ensures a smooth batter.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients, Crushed Cereal, and White Chocolate Chips

Lower the mixer speed and slowly add the dry flour mixture about a quarter cup at a time, allowing it to incorporate before adding more. Once flour is mixed in, add the crushed cinnamon cereal you set aside earlier, followed by the white chocolate chips. This staggered addition helps maintain texture and prevents overmixing which can toughen the cookies.

Step 4: Shape, Coat, and Bake the Cookies

Divide the dough into 6 large balls. In a shallow bowl, mix 2 tablespoons sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Roll each dough ball generously in this cinnamon sugar mixture to coat evenly, which creates that signature tasty crust. Place the coated dough balls onto a baking sheet lined with a silicone mat or parchment paper, then bake at 400°F for 10 to 12 minutes. Keep an eye on them—the cookies should be golden brown around the edges but still soft in the center.

Step 5: Cool and Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

While cookies bake, prepare your frosting by beating the softened cream cheese and butter until creamy using a hand mixer. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, mixing until silky smooth. I usually taste the frosting and add a bit more powdered sugar if it needs to be stiffer for easier spreading. Once cookies are baked, let them cool on the sheet for 15 minutes before transferring to a rack to cool completely—you don’t want to frost warm cookies or the frosting will melt.

Step 6: Frost and Garnish

To finish, crush the remaining 1 cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch in a bag but leave some larger chunks for texture. Spread a generous dollop of cream cheese frosting on each cooled cookie, then sprinkle with the crushed cereal and a touch of leftover cinnamon sugar. This final touch adds the perfect crunch and gives a beautiful presentation that guests always compliment.

How to Serve Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

I love to keep these cookies simple with the crushed cereal on top because it adds an extra crunch and looks festive. Sometimes I sprinkle a tiny bit of extra cinnamon sugar right before serving to boost that cozy spice aroma. For a fancy touch, try adding a drizzle of melted white chocolate over the top.

Side Dishes

These cookies go perfectly with a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of chai tea—which brings out the cinnamon spice beautifully. I also enjoy pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an irresistible dessert combo at home.

Creative Ways to Present

For a party or special occasion, arrange these cookies on a rustic wooden board alongside a cereal bar with mini bowls of toppings like chocolate chips, sprinkles, and nut butters. Another fun idea I’ve tried is stacking the cookies layered with frosting between each and garnishing with cereal clusters—almost like a cookie cake!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Once frosted, store your cookies in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh. They stay great for up to 4 days, and I love grabbing one chilled—it tastes like a little cozy cinnamon hug.

Freezing

I’ve frozen these cookies both before and after frosting. For best results, freeze unfrosted and bake later, or freeze fully frosted cookies in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment between layers. They keep well for up to 3 months, making them perfect to bake ahead for holidays.

Reheating

When ready to enjoy, if the cookies are unfrosted, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes to get them warm and revive that fresh-baked softness. For frosted cookies, let them thaw briefly at room temperature—the frosting stays creamy and delicious without extra effort.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I hope you give this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe a try—it’s one of those times where a simple cereal becomes the star of a truly memorable cookie. Baking these has brought so many smiles to my kitchen and yours will too, especially when you see how that cinnamon sugar crust and cream cheese frosting come together to create magic. Trust me, these cookies are a sweet way to turn an everyday moment into something special. Happy baking!

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