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These irresistible Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars combine gooey marshmallows with the sweet crunch of Cinnamon Toast Crunch breakfast cereal, for a treat that the whole family can enjoy! So easy to make with only 3 main ingredients.
These are similar to Rice Krispie treats but instead they’re made with everyone’s favorite cereal – Cinnamon Toast Crunch! For more marshmallow treats made with cereal try these Rainbow Rice Krispie Treats (Rice Krispies + fruity pebbles treats), Froot Loops Cereal Marshmallow Bars, and Trix Cereal Treats.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars Recipe (Marshmallow Cereal Treats)
These delicious cereal bars start with everyone’s favorite breakfast cereal – Cinnamon Toast Crunch! Combined with gooey mini marshmallows, cinnamon sugar flavor, and butter to create the best crispy treats.
A simple one pot melted marshmallow mixture gets combined with cereal and then gently pressed into a 9×13 pan. It’s a crowd-pleasing treat or dessert that no one can ever resist! My kids love these as a lunch box surprise or they make for a yummy after school snack.
Simple Ingredients Needed
- Butter : You can use salted butter or unsalted butter; whichever you have or prefer baking with. I always use salted butter. If using unsalted butter you may want to add just a touch of additional salt to the recipe (1/2 teaspoon total instead of 1/4 teaspoon that the recipe calls for). The recipe has been written and tested using salted butter.
- Mini Marshmallows : You need 20 ounces total which is two 10-ounce bags of mini marshmallows.
- Cinnamon & Sugar : This helps to really maximize and amplify the iconic sugary cinnamon flavor from the cereal! You can get the cinnamon sugar in a spice jar alongside the other spices, or use 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar + 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon.
- Salt : I use sea salt. I like just the small pinch of salt (1/8 teaspoon) to balance some sweetness. However, if you are using unsalted butter, you want to increase the salt to about 1/2 teaspoon.
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal : One box (12 ounces) is what you need to make the best Cinnamon Toast Crunch bars. If you are using a larger box, measure out 8 cups.
How To Make This Cereal Bar Recipe With Cinnamon Toast Crunch (Printable Recipe Card)
Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
In a large pot, over low heat, melt the butter.
Once the butter is melted, add 9 cups of mini marshmallows (or about 1.5 bags), cinnamon, and salt into the melted butter. Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth. It’s important to not turn the heat up to speed up the process, low and slow is what you want to avoid burning the marshmallows.
Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and remaining mini marshmallows (3 cups). Stir to evenly coat the cereal and until everything is combined well. The mini marshmallows do not need to be fully melted.
Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and gently press down with a spatula or clean hands into an even layer. Don’t press too tight and compact it, just gently press it down into the pan.
Let the bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until set. Cut into squares and enjoy!
How To Store Leftovers
These cereal bars are best stored in an airtight container, at room temperature, for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can freeze them for up to 2 months. Wrap each bar tightly in plastic wrap and then in aluminum foil. Place the wrapped bars inside a freezer-safe Ziploc bag and freeze. When ready to eat, let the cereal bar thaw at room temperature for about 1 hour.
How Do I Ensure The Cereal Bars Turn Out Chewy Instead of Hard?
To keep marshmallow treat bars chewy and soft, there are a few tips you can follow.
- Low Heat : Make sure to melt the marshmallow mixture over low heat. Do not turn up the heat to try and speed up the melting process. You want low and slow, to get a really smooth melt. Overheating the marshmallows can create a stiff and hard cereal bar once cooled.
- Press Gently : Avoid pressing the mixture too firmly into the pan; a gentle hand helps maintain a softer and fluffier texture once cooled.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 10 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 bags (10 oz each) mini marshmallows divided
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar
- ⅛ teaspoon salt (I use sea salt)
- 1 box (12 oz) Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal (or 8 cups)
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13-inch pan with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper. Set aside.
- In a large pot, over low heat, melt the butter.10 tablespoons salted butter
- Once the butter is melted, add 9 cups of mini marshmallows (or about 1.5 bags), cinnamon, and salt into the melted butter. Stir constantly until fully melted and smooth.*It's important to not turn the heat up to speed up the process, low and slow is what you want to avoid burning the marshmallows.2 bags (10 oz each) mini marshmallows, ½ teaspoon cinnamon sugar, ⅛ teaspoon salt
- Remove the pot from the heat and immediately stir in the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal and remaining mini marshmallows (3 cups). Stir to evenly coat the cereal and until everything is combined well.*The mini marshmallows do not need to be fully melted.1 box (12 oz) Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
- Pour the cereal mixture into the prepared pan and gently press down with a spatula or clean hands into an even layer. Don't press too tight and compact it, just gently press it down into the pan.
- Let the bars cool at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour, or until set. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Notes
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