Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

If you’re anything like me, you know the joy of sinking your teeth into something warm, soft, and full of nostalgic flavor. That’s exactly why I’m so excited to share this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe with you! It takes that beloved cereal—yes, the crunchy, cinnamon-swirled goodness we all crave—and transforms it into a cookie that’s chewy on the inside, just a little crispy on the edges, and dripping with cozy cinnamon flavor. It’s like breakfast and dessert had a delicious lovechild.

What I especially love about this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is how it feels both familiar and indulgent at the same time. You can whip these up for mid-week treats, weekend hangouts, or whenever you need to impress a crowd with something truly unique yet approachable. Plus, the cream cheese frosting adds a tangy, sweet finish that perfectly complements the cinnamon—and honestly, my family goes crazy for it every time!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe lies in combining pantry staples with that signature cinnamon cereal. Each ingredient plays its part in creating texture, flavor, and that addictive sweetness you’ll want every day.

• Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal: Using it crushed adds a cinnamon crunch and texture, while also mixing some whole pieces in for extra bite.
• All Purpose Flour & Cake Flour: The flour combo gives the cookies structure yet keeps them tender and soft.
• White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: A secret ingredient for keeping cookies moist and adding subtle sweetness.
• Ground Cinnamon: Enhances the cereal’s spice and brings warmth.
• Unsalted Butter: Cold cubes help create a soft yet slightly crisp cookie texture.
• Brown Sugar & Sugar: Brown sugar adds moisture and chewiness, while granulated sugar contributes to that slight crisp edge.
• Vanilla Extract: Amplifies all the sweet flavors.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
• White Chocolate Chips: These melt gently inside for little pockets of creamy sweetness.
• Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients: Cream cheese, butter, confectioners sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt create the perfect tangy-sweet topping.
• Cinnamon Sugar Coating: A simple mix of sugar and cinnamon to roll dough balls in before baking for an extra cinnamon kick.

Variations

One of my favorite things about this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe is how easy it is to put your own spin on it. Don’t be afraid to experiment—I’ve tried a few twists that really elevated the cookies to a new level.

• Omit or swap white chocolate chips: If you’re not a fan of white chocolate, try dark or milk chocolate chips for a richer, bolder taste.
• Add nuts: Chopped pecans or walnuts add a crunchy texture and pair wonderfully with the cinnamon notes.
• Keep it gluten-free: Swapping the flours for a gluten-free blend works beautifully—I’ve had success with Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 blend.
• Make it mini: For bite-sized cookies perfect for parties, just make smaller dough balls and adjust baking time accordingly.

How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Cereal & Dry Ingredients

Start by preheating your oven to 400°F. While it warms up, put 2 cups of the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal in your food processor and pulse until crumbly—about 15 seconds is perfect. This crushed cereal will blend into the dough, giving your cookies that unmistakable cinnamon crunch. Next, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cake flour, instant white chocolate pudding mix, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, ground cinnamon, and salt. This dry mix forms the flavorful, tender base of your cookies, so take your time mixing these well to avoid any clumps.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the cold, cubed butter with the brown sugar and sugar on medium speed for about 3 to 4 minutes until light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins—getting the butter really whipped will add air to your dough, making the cookies wonderfully soft once baked. If you ever struggled with flat or dense cookies, a good creaming step like this often makes all the difference.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Next, blend in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Make sure everything is fully combined before moving on. I always scrape down the bowl with a spatula here to catch any bits of butter or sugar that have stuck to the sides—it helps get an even mix, which you’ll notice in your cookies’ texture.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Add-ins

Turn your mixer to low and gradually add the flour mixture, about 1/4 cup at a time. This slow addition prevents flour clouds and ensures your mix stays smooth. Then fold in the crushed cinnamon toast crunch you prepared earlier along with the white chocolate chips. The dough will be thick and a touch sticky—that’s exactly how you want it for these cookies.

Step 5: Form and Sugar-Coat Your Dough Balls

Portion the dough into 6 large balls—you want them nicely sized so they spread just right while baking. In a shallow dish, mix the cinnamon and sugar, then roll each dough ball in this mixture to coat thoroughly. This step adds an extra cinnamon-sugar spark on the cookie’s exterior, making your finished treats visually appealing and extra flavorful.

Step 6: Bake and Cool

Place your dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes — you’re aiming for soft edges with just a hint of golden brown. When done, let them cool on the baking sheet for 15 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Patience here pays off—the cookies firm up beautifully as they cool.

Step 7: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting & Garnish

While the cookies bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting by mixing softened cream cheese and butter until smooth, then gradually adding powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Adjust sweetness to your liking. Once your cookies are fully cooled, spread frosting generously on top. Finish by crushing the remaining cup of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (leaving some larger pieces) and sprinkle over the frosting, plus some extra cinnamon sugar if you have it. This final touch makes every bite exciting!

How to Serve Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe

Garnishes

When I serve these cookies, I always top them with a few crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch sprinkles for that signature crunch. Sometimes I dust a little extra cinnamon sugar too, which adds a nice shimmer and a bit more warmth to every bite. It makes the cookies feel extra special and festive!

Side Dishes

These cookies really shine with a cold glass of milk—whether it’s dairy or your favorite plant-based option. I also love pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a quick sundae or serving alongside some fresh fruit to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to arrange the frosted Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies on a pretty platter lined with cinnamon sticks or small bowls of frosting for dipping. You can even sandwich two cookies with frosting in the middle for a decadent cookie sandwich look. These presentation tricks turn your recipe into the centerpiece every time!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cookies in an airtight container at room temperature and they stay perfectly soft for up to three days. Keeping them on the counter makes it quick to grab one anytime you want that sweet cinnamon crunch.

Freezing

You can freeze the unbaked dough balls for up to 3 months—just separate them with parchment so they don’t stick. When you’re ready, bake them straight from frozen, adding a couple of extra minutes to the baking time. I’ve found this super convenient for busy weeks!

Reheating

If you want to warm up the cookies after storing, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds or briefly in a 300°F oven until soft and warm. Just be sure to add the frosting fresh after reheating to keep things looking and tasting their best.

FAQs

Final Thoughts

Honestly, I keep coming back to this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies Recipe because it hits all my happy spots—the nostalgic crunch from the cereal, the warm cinnamon-spice vibe, and the luscious cream cheese frosting on top. It’s one of those recipes that makes you want to call friends over just so you can share them fresh out of the oven. I hope you give this recipe a try and find it as comforting and fun to bake (and eat!) as I do. Happy baking, friend!

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