Creamy, crunchy, and packed with cinnamon flavor, these Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars are an easy cereal-bar treat made from simple pantry ingredients. Soft, gooey marshmallows bind the cereal into squares that are perfect for potlucks, after-school snacks, or a quick dessert the family will devour.
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars Recipe
This simple cereal-bar recipe follows a classic formula: cereal, marshmallows, and butter. It’s a nostalgic treat I grew up with—my mom made these for classroom parties and family gatherings. The proportions below make a slightly gooey, easy-to-cut pan of bars that hold together well without being overly sticky.
Testing Marshmallow Combinations
We tried three variations to find the best texture and sweetness balance:
- Option 1: One 12-ounce box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch, a 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows, and 6 tablespoons (about half a stick) of butter. This produced a gooey but stable bar—our favorite.
- Option 2: One box of cereal, half a bag of mini marshmallows, half a can of marshmallow creme, and 6 tablespoons butter. Bars were less gooey and fell apart more easily.
- Option 3: Slightly more cereal, a full bag of mini marshmallows plus half a can of marshmallow creme and 6 tablespoons butter. Very gooey and noticeably sweeter—too sweet for our taste.
Ingredients Needed
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch – a regular 12-ounce box (about 9 cups of cereal).
- Mini Marshmallows – a 10-ounce bag.
- Butter – 6 tablespoons. Margarine will work in a pinch, but butter gives the best flavor.
Tip: If you want to add a nutty note and a bit of protein, stir a few tablespoons of peanut butter into the melted marshmallows before mixing in the cereal—this works wonderfully with other cereal-bar recipes as well.
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Prepare a 9 x 13-inch baking pan by lightly coating it with non-stick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- In a large pot or dutch oven, melt 6 tablespoons of butter over medium heat for about 4 to 5 minutes until it is nearly fully melted.
- Add the 10-ounce bag of mini marshmallows to the butter. Stir frequently until the marshmallows are almost fully melted and mostly incorporated with the butter. Remove the pot from heat just before they are completely smooth—the residual heat will finish the melting.
- Quickly pour the 12-ounce box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch into the pot and fold the cereal into the marshmallow mixture until evenly coated.
- Transfer the mixture to the prepared pan. With clean, wet hands (or a wet spatula), press and pat the top firmly and evenly to compact the bars. Work quickly and confidently; keeping hands wet prevents sticking.
- Allow the bars to set at room temperature for about 30 minutes to an hour before cutting into squares and serving.
Recipe Notes and Tips
- One 12-ounce box of Cinnamon Toast Crunch contains about 9 cups of cereal.
- Lay out the cereal, marshmallows, butter, and the pan before you start so you can move quickly once the marshmallows begin to melt.
- Use a 9 x 13-inch pan with a tight-fitting lid or store finished bars in an airtight container to keep them fresh.
- For slightly firmer bars, press more firmly when packing the mixture into the pan and allow extra time to cool before cutting.
Servings, Time, and Nutrition (Approximate)
This recipe yields about 16 bars. Prep time is roughly 5 minutes with about 15 minutes of active cooking, and total time under 30 minutes including cooling.
- Servings: 16 bars
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 20 minutes
Nutrition Highlights (per bar, estimated)
- Calories: 175 kcal
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Fat: 5 g (Saturated Fat: 3 g)
- Sugar: 18 g
More Easy Snack Ideas
If you’re planning a party or need more crowd-pleasing snacks, try these simple ideas: Hawaiian Roll Garlic Bread, Little Smokies with Cranberry Sauce, or Cream Cheese Chicken Crescent Rolls. For a sweet beverage, an Orange Creamsicle–style milkshake is always a hit.
If you try these Cinnamon Toast Crunch Bars, let the texture guide you: the basic formula of cereal, marshmallows, and butter is flexible—adjust the amount of marshmallows or add-ins to suit your taste. Enjoy!