Today, I’m thrilled to share with you a recipe that has taken our household—and apparently, the Instagram world—by storm. It’s my homemade Cinnamon Cereal, a delightful copycat of the beloved Cinnamon Toast Crunch, but crafted from scratch with love and care. This recipe is a testament to the joy and simplicity of making even the most seemingly complex snacks from the comfort of your own kitchen. And trust me, it’s not just a treat for the kids; it’s a nostalgic journey for anyone who adores a sprinkle of cinnamon and a hint of sweetness as a snack!
When I first embarked on my journey towards a more wholesome, scratch-made lifestyle, the idea of homemade cereal seemed a bit out of reach. However, much like learning to weave the fabric of our lives with more intention, mastering the art of homemade snacks became a rewarding part of our daily rhythm. This Cinnamon Cereal recipe stands as a beacon of the health and cost benefits that come with preparing food from scratch—a delicious challenge to the norm that I promise is worth embracing.
Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch
Ingredients
- 2 CUPS ALL-PURPOSE FLOUR
- 1/4 CUP PURE CANE SUGAR OR COCONUT SUGAR
- 1 TABLESPOON GROUND CINNAMON
- 1/2 TEASPOON SALT
- 1/2 CUP UNSALTED BUTTER COLD AND CUT INTO SMALL CUBES
- 1/4 CUP MILK
- 1 TEASPOON VANILLA EXTRACT
- 1/4 CUP PURE CANE SUGAR OR COCONUT SUGAR
- 1 TABLESPOON GROUND CINNAMON
- 1/4 CUP UNSALTED BUTTER MELTED
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Add the cold cubed butter to the bowl. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the dry ingredients until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- In a separate small bowl, mix together the milk and vanilla extract.
- Gradually pour the milk mixture into the dry ingredients, stirring until the dough comes together.
- Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it a few times to ensure it is well combined.
- Roll out the dough into a thin sheet, about 1/8 inch thick.
- Use a sharp knife or a pizza cutter to cut the dough into small square-shaped pieces..
- Place the cut-out cereal pieces onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Brush with melted butter and the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 10-12 minutes, or until the cereal is crispy and lightly golden.
- Remove from the oven and let the cereal cool completely on the baking sheet. Enjoy in a bowl with milk!
Homemade Cinnamon Cereal: A Nostalgic Recipe
Ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (for a gluten-free version, you can use oat flour or a gluten-free blend)
- 1/4 cup pure cane sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
- 1/4 cup milk (dairy or any plant-based alternative works beautifully)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
For the Topping:
- 1/4 cup pure cane sugar or coconut sugar
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Tools Needed:
- Mixing bowl
- Baking sheet lined with parchment paper
- Rolling pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
- Pastry brush
Let’s Get Baking:
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, cinnamon, and salt.
- Incorporate the Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mixture. Use your fingers or a pastry cutter to work the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Add Milk and Vanilla: Pour in the milk and vanilla extract. Stir until the dough comes together. It will be slightly sticky, which is perfect.
- Roll Out the Dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface. Roll it out to about 1/8 inch thickness. Aim for a rectangle shape, but don’t stress about perfection here. The rustic charm is part of the homemade appeal!
- Cut into Squares: Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, slice the dough into small squares. This is your moment to involve the little ones, letting them choose the size of their cereal pieces.
- Prepare for Baking: Transfer the squares to your prepared baking sheet, ensuring they don’t touch. They’ll puff up ever so slightly as they bake.
- Top with Cinnamon Sugar: Mix the additional sugar and cinnamon for the topping. Brush each square lightly with melted butter, then sprinkle generously with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
- Bake to Perfection: Slide the baking sheet into a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) and bake for 10-12 minutes, or until golden and crisp.
- Cool and Enjoy: Allow the cereal to cool on the baking sheet before diving in. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to keep them crisp.
This Cinnamon Cereal recipe is a celebration of what’s possible when we dare to tackle homemade versions of store-bought favorites.
As this recipe makes its rounds across social media, it serves as a beautiful illustration of the power of homemade food. Not only does it taste better, but it also brings a sense of accomplishment and connection to our meals that simply can’t be bought.
If you’re inspired to embark on more scratch-made adventures, I invite you to explore my guide, “Staples Made Simple.” Overflowing with over 100+ recipes and tutorials just like this Cinnamon Cereal, it’s your handbook to transforming everyday ingredients into extraordinary meals and snacks.
Available for download or in print, it’s ready to be marked up and made your own, guiding you through each season with wisdom, encouragement, and a dash of Selina-style joy. Join me in celebrating the art of cooking from scratch and discover the endless possibilities that await in your kitchen. Happy cooking, and here’s to many cozy mornings ahead!
Ebook Version: Staples Made Simple (100+ Recipes + More)!
In this recipe guide I will walk you through how you can transform your kitchen with ease and simplicity. Inspiring you to make healthy and nutritious alternatives to your everyday food staples, while replacing grocery store products with delicious from-scratch recipes. Food staples like: ketchup, pizza dough, ice cream, healthy kids snacks, buttermilk ranch dressing,…