If you are on the lookout for a delightful treat that combines nostalgia with a fun twist, this Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is your new best friend. These cookies capture the sweet, cinnamony flavor of the classic cereal in a chewy, soft cookie that’s perfect for snacking, sharing, or gifting. With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, this recipe brings a cozy kitchen vibe and a fantastic cinnamon aroma right to your countertop. Whether you are a longtime fan of Cinnamon Toast Crunch or just love cookies with a hint of warm spice, these are sure to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Gathering these ingredients is the first step to creating magic in your oven. Each one plays a crucial role, from adding moisture and sweetness to introducing that unmistakable cinnamon crunch you crave.
- 1 cup butter, softened: Provides richness and helps create that perfect soft texture in every bite.
- 1 cup brown sugar: Adds deep sweetness and moisture for chewy, tender cookies.
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar: Balances sweetness with a slight crispness in the cookie edges.
- 2 large eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the cookie’s soft structure.
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract: Enhances the overall flavor with warm, fragrant notes.
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour: The main structure-builder for your cookies.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: Keeps cookies light by helping them rise slightly.
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon: The essential spice that amplifies the cinnamon theme.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances sweetness and heightens flavors.
- 1 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, crushed: The star ingredient—adds crunch and authentic cinnamon cereal flavor.
How to Make Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is perfectly heated for even baking. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to keep your cookies from sticking and make cleanup a breeze.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. This process aerates the mixture, making your cookies light and wonderfully tender.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until everything is just combined and smooth. These ingredients provide moisture and flavor depth to your cookie dough.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt in a separate bowl. This step ensures the cinnamon and leavening agents are evenly distributed for consistent flavor and texture.
Step 5: Mix Dry Into Wet
Gradually pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until incorporated. Overmixing can make your cookies tough, so stop as soon as you see no streaks of flour.
Step 6: Fold in Crushed Cereal
Gently fold the crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal into the cookie dough. This adds delightful crunchy bursts and infuses each cookie with that classic cinnamon cereal taste.
Step 7: Scoop the Dough
Use a tablespoon or cookie scoop to drop balls of dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Space them evenly to allow room for spreading without merging.
Step 8: Bake to Golden Perfection
Bake your cookies for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the edges turn a light golden brown. The aroma by now will be absolutely irresistible!
Step 9: Cool and Enjoy
Allow your cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack. This prevents breakage and helps them set perfectly for that ideal texture.
How to Serve Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
Garnishes
To elevate your Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe, sprinkle a tiny pinch of cinnamon sugar over freshly baked cookies or drizzle a light glaze made from powdered sugar and milk. These simple touches add sparkle and extra sweetness, perfect for impressing guests.
Side Dishes
Serve these cookies alongside a warm glass of milk, a piping hot cup of coffee, or cinnamon-spiced tea. The warm beverages complement the cinnamon flavor and create a cozy, comforting snack time.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider stacking the cookies on a pretty plate tied with twine for a rustic look, or place a few on top of individual dessert plates garnished with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed cereal. These ideas make them perfect for parties, gift-giving, or just to brighten someone’s day.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and chewy for up to 5 days, making them ideal for making ahead and enjoying throughout the week.
Freezing
If you want to extend their shelf life, freeze baked cookies in a sealed freezer-safe container. They freeze well up to 3 months, so you can satisfy cinnamon cravings anytime with a quick thaw.
Reheating
Rewarm cookies in a microwave for 10-15 seconds or in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. This helps revive their softness and enhances the warm cinnamon aroma like they just came out of the oven.
FAQs
Can I use a different kind of cereal instead of Cinnamon Toast Crunch?
While Cinnamon Toast Crunch is key to capturing the signature flavor of this recipe, you can experiment with similar cinnamon-flavored cereals, though the taste and texture might vary slightly.
How do I make the cookies less sweet?
You can reduce the sugar amounts slightly, but keep in mind that sugar affects texture and spread. Altering the amount too much can change the cookie’s softness and flavor balance.
Can I make these cookies gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking. Just be sure to choose one that includes xanthan gum or another binder for the best results.
Do I need to crush the cereal finely?
Crushing the cereal until it’s coarse crumbs is ideal. Too fine and it will blend into the dough; too large and the cookies might not hold together as well.
Can I add nuts or chocolate chips?
Absolutely! Adding chopped nuts or chocolate chips is a delicious way to customize the cookies and introduce extra texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
This Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is a total game-changer for cookie lovers and cereal fans alike. It’s simple, utterly tasty, and perfect for sharing or sneaking as a little treat just for yourself. Once you try these, you’ll understand why they quickly become a beloved classic to have on hand all year round. So roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bake some cinnamon-spiced happiness!
Print
Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 24 cookies
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easy Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies are a delightful twist on classic cookies, featuring the sweet and crunchy flavor of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Perfectly soft with a crispy edge, these cookies are infused with warm cinnamon and vanilla, making them an irresistible treat for cereal lovers and cookie enthusiasts alike.
Ingredients
Wet Ingredients
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Dry Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins
- 1 cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it reaches the perfect temperature for baking the cookies evenly.
- Cream butter and sugars: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates the base for tender cookies.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time and add the vanilla extract, mixing until the ingredients are fully incorporated and the batter is smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agent and spices.
- Mix dry into wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring only until just combined to avoid overworking the dough, which keeps cookies tender.
- Fold in cereal: Gently fold in the crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal to incorporate its crunch and flavor without crushing it completely.
- Shape cookies: Scoop tablespoon-sized balls of dough and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, spacing them evenly to allow for spreading.
- Bake: Bake the cookies in the preheated oven for 10-12 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown, indicating they are perfectly baked.
- Cool: Allow the cookies to cool on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps them firm up while maintaining a soft center.
Notes
- Use softened butter for easier mixing and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough to keep cookies light and tender.
- Crushing the cereal roughly gives a nice crunchy texture inside the cookies.
- Store the cookies in an airtight container to keep them fresh for up to a week.
- For a stronger cinnamon flavor, add an extra 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon.
