Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ Bars

A timeless treat gets a bit of a twist! Growing up, Rice Krispie Treats used to be one of my FAVORITE sweets. Everyone in my family knew how to make them, and whenever they were set out, they’d rarely last for more than a few hours. So because Cinnamon Toast Crunch is hands down the best cereal on Earth, I figured I should show a bit of a tribute to my childhood. Young Dev! Shoutout to you.

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Active Time: 15 Minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes

Yield: 9 Bars

Ingredients:

  • Cooking spray

  • 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter

  • 3 Cups mini marshmallows

  • 1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract

  • 1/8 tsp. kosher salt

  • 1/8 tsp. ground cinnamon

  • 1 Cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch™, lightly crushed

  • 2 1/2 Cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch™, whole

  • ⅔ Cup Mini pretzels, lightly crushed (optional)

Directions:

  1. Line an 8-inch square baking sheet with parchment paper, allowing some parchment to overlap creating makeshift paper handles. Spray the parchment with cooking spray and set aside.

  2. Measure out 1 cup of marshmallows and pour into a small bowl for future use. To a large saucepan over medium-low heat melt the butter. Once the butter is melted, add the remaining 2 cups of marshmallows. Reduce the heat to low and stir continuously with a rubber spatula until the marshmallows are completely melted, about 2 minutes.

  3. Shut off the heat. Add the vanilla, salt and cinnamon. Stir to combine. Pour in the crushed cereal and stir continuously to combine for about 30 seconds -- you want that great contrast in cereal size! Next, add the remaining whole cereal, the reserved 1 cup of marshmallows, and mini pretzels if using. Stir and fold continuously, just until the whole marshmallows hold on to the rest of the mixture, about 1 minute.

  4. Pour this mixture into the prepared baking sheet. Spray a gloved hand or the spatula with cooking spray. Using either tool, press the mixture down gently to form into shape.

  5. Let this set at room temperature for about 1 hour, or until firm enough to make clean cuts. Remove the treats by lifting up and out, using the sheets of parchment as handles. Cut into squares and serve!

Tips:

  • Do not press the treats too hard into the pan or they will become compressed, and tough to eat!

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