Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars are an easy no-bake dessert. If two of your favorite desserts, Rice Krispy Treats and Snickerdoodle Cookies had a baby, these would be it. They're an ooey-gooey, crispy snack that the whole family will love!
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Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Toast Crunch Treats
While I'm not a lover of cereal (most get soggy too quickly for me!) but Cinnamon Toast Crunch has always been my favorite. This is probably because my mom used to make us cinnamon toast as kids for a breakfast treat. So a cinnamon sugar covered cereal was right up my alley, but more as a snack to preserve the crunch.
Since you guys loved my S'mores Bars so much, I knew that trying another variety of marshmallow cereal bars was a good idea. Especially now that it's summer! I mean, who doesn't love a good no-bake dessert? And this one is crazy easy with only 3 ingredients!
Here’s why you’ve got to try it:
- Simple with only 3 ingredients
- It’s no-bake
- Both kids and adults love them
- The sweet and crispy treats we all love
- Ready in under an hour
- Great to made ahead
Ingredient Information And Substitutions:
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch- The delicious cinnamon sugar flavor with the perfect crunch lends itself beautifully to this cereal bars recipe.
- Marshmallows- I like the way mini marshmallows melt together so quickly for this but you could also use one 10 ounce package of regular size puffed marshmallows. I don’t encourage you to use marshmallow fluff, it will change the texture..
- Salted Butter- I prefer salted butter for this recipe as the salt brings out all the flavor. You could use unsalted butter if you prefer but consider adding a pinch of salt if you do.
How To Make Cereal Bars
Step 1: Melt the butter
Melt butter in a non-stick pan over medium heat.
Step 2: Melt marshmallows
Add the marshmallows and stir frequently until fully melted.
Step 3: Add cereal
Turn off the heat and stir in your cereal until well combined.
Step 4: Shape in pan
Add the mixture into a parchment-lined and greased pan. Press into the pan to shape and cool completely. Remove and cut into pieces- serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Totally, I typically make them a day ahead. This also gives them more time to set.
Sure! You can use one 10 ounce package of Jet Puffed marshmallows is you'd prefer, just make sure they melt completely before adding the cereal.
Some might be, but these are not. But everything in moderation, right?
I store them in a parchment-lined airtight container at room temperature. These are very sticky, so place them in single layers with parchment paper between each layer.
I’m sure you can but I don’t recommend it because it will adversely affect the texture.
I’d encourage you to store on the counter in an airtight container and to place a piece of bread in with them to help keep them soft.
Yes- any other cereal around the same size will work for this recipe.
This can happen as a result of melting the butter and marshmallows over high instead of medium and pressing them too hard into the pan.
Sure- Melt butter and marshmallows together in a large, microwave safe bowl for around 60 seconds on high. Stir and melt for an additional 15-30 seconds if needed. Stir in cereal and proceed with the recipe as listed below.
Tips For Making These Cereal Marshmallow Bars
- Line the pan for easy removal. Spray the 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper that's long enough to come up over the sides. This will allow you to remove it in one piece so it will be easier to cut them into bars.
- I prefer to use salted butter because that little bit of salt adds extra delicious flavor.
- Don't make your heat any higher than medium- no one likes burnt butter and it makes the bars hard and brittle!
- Cooking spray comes in handy to coat your spoon before stirring the marshmallows to help prevent sticking (cereal treats are super sticky!).
- Melt the marshmallows completely- it takes a bit more time but the texture always comes out perfect.
- Make sure you stir it well so that everything is well combined.
- Be gentle with stirring and pressing the treats into the pan. This keeps the cereal from breaking too much and the bars from getting too hard.
Make it a meal
Here are some great recipes to serve alongside your Cinnamon Cereal Bars:
Other Great No-Bake Recipes:
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Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars
Ingredients
- 3 Tablespoons salted butter
- 1 10 ounce bag mini marshmallows
- 5 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal
Instructions
- Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving some extra paper over the sides.
- Melt butter over medium heat in pot. Once it's melted, reduce the heat to low.
- Add marshmallows to the pot. Spray a mixing spoon with cooking spray and continuously stir until marshmallows are fully melted.
- Remove the pot from the heat and add the cereal. Stir well to combine.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared 13 x 9 pan. With an additional piece of parchment paper, gently press it down into an even layer in the prepared pan (you may need to hold the bottom paper in place to keep it from moving all around).
- Cool completely and once set, pull the bar out of the pan in once piece using the parchment paper and slice. Store in an air tight container and enjoy!
Video
Notes
- Line the pan for easy removal. Spray the 9 x 13 pan with cooking spray and line it with parchment paper that's long enough to come up over the sides. This will allow you to remove it in one piece so it will be easier to cut them into bars.
- I prefer to use salted butter because that little bit of salt adds extra delicious flavor.
- Don't make your heat any higher than medium- no one likes burnt butter and it makes the bars hard and brittle!
- Cooking spray comes in handy to coat your spoon before stirring the marshmallows to help prevent sticking (cereal treats are super sticky!).
- Melt the marshmallows completely- it takes a bit more time but the texture always comes out perfect.
- Make sure you stir it well so that everything is well combined.
- Be gentle with stirring and pressing the treats into the pan. This keeps the cereal from breaking too much and the bars from getting too hard.
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