Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts: The ultimate breakfast indulgence or party dessert that combines your favorite breakfast cereal with deliciously portable homemade baked donuts. Yes, you heard that right. Donuts made with Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal!
This mouth-watering treat is the perfect way to start your day with a little bit of, nostalgia, a dash of extra sweetness, and a whole lot of fun. So hold onto your breakfast bowls, because we’re about to spice up your breakfast with this magical recipe!
What Makes these So Great
- Taste: Loaded with cinnamon-y goodness, these donuts taste just like your favorite childhood cereal.
- Texture: This recipe combines the soft and fluffy texture of traditional baked donuts with the satisfying crunch of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. It’s the perfect combination.
- Ease: No frying necessary! These donuts are baked to perfection in the oven.
What You’ll Need:
Don’t be intimidated by the long list below, most of these are pantry staples you probably have already. If you’re looking for quantities for each ingredient, you can find them in the detailed recipe card at the end of this post.
Ingredients:
- Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
- Buttermilk
- All-purpose Flour
- Baking Powder
- Baking Soda
- Salted Butter
- Maple Syrup
- Light Brown Sugar
- Egg
- Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- Canola or Vegetable Oil
- Vanilla Extract
- Ground Cinnamon
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk (whole milk recommended)
Supplies:
- Donut pan
- Mixing bowls
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Mixing spoon
- Whisk
- Parchment paper or sheet pan for decorating
- Optional: Frosting Bag and Wilton 2A Frosting Tip
Step-by-Step Directions:
To make things even easier for you, I created a simple photo guide below. For all measurements and a more detailed guide, check out the recipe card at the bottom of this page.
Make the Donuts
Step 1 – In a large bowl, add the buttermilk and 1 cup of crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Stir once or twice and then set aside.
Step 2 – In another large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix thoroughly
Step 3 – Lightly whisk the egg in a small bowl or ramekin. Then add it to the cereal and buttermilk mixture. Add the oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, greek yogurt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the cereal mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
Step 4 – Stir ⅓ of the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Repeat until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
Step 5 – Fill each cavity in a prepared donut pan about ¾ full with the batter. A pastry bag with a piping tip can make this a lot easier.
Step 6 – Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops of the donuts spring back when touched. Move the donuts away from the stove and allow them to cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the Glaze and Top the Donuts
Step 7 – While the donuts cool, combine the powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
Step 8 – Crush some of the remaining Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, making sure to leave some pieces whole. Set aside.
Step 9 – Gently remove the donuts from the pan. Carefully dip the tops of the donuts into the prepared glaze. Move the glazed donuts to a piece of parchment paper, large plate, or a pan.
Step 10 – Place some of the whole cereal pieces on one side of the donut glaze and sprinkle the same side with crushed cereal pieces as well. Enjoy!
Essential Tips:
Don’t skip these tips – read them before baking to avoid any potential mistakes.
- Tap the donut pan on the counter before baking to release air bubbles in the batter. This will result in a smoother, more even donut.
- Make sure you don’t overfill the pan so the batter doesn’t overflow while baking. It can help to pipe the batter into the donut cavities using a pastry bag with a 2A piping tip or a plastic bag with the corner cut off.
- The crushed cereal won’t stick to the donut tops once the glaze hardens, so make sure to add it immediately for maximum deliciousness.
- When making the glaze, avoid the temptation to add all the milk to the powdered sugar at once. Add just a tablespoon of milk at a time, mixing until you’ve got the right consistency. I found 3 tablespoons to be just right, but temperature and humidity can affect how much you’ll need on any given day.
- Make clean up easy and crush the cereal in a paper bag or ziplock bag.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This recipe is specifically designed for baked donuts instead of frying as frying them in oil will result in a different texture and flavor.
However, I’ve also tested this recipe in a mini donut maker, which made perfect 2-3 bite donuts for parties.
Yes, you can use any type of milk for the glaze. However, using whole milk will give the glaze a richer, thicker consistency.
Yes, you can use any type of milk for the glaze. However, using whole milk will give the glaze a richer, thicker consistency.
How to Store Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts
Properly storing your donuts can make all the difference in preserving their taste and texture. Follow these tips to ensure your Cinnamon Toast Crunch donuts stay fresh and delicious.
- Make ahead: You can bake the donut base up to a day in advance, but the glaze and topping is best when added the same day you plan to serve them.
- Leftovers: Keep any leftover glazed donuts in an airtight container and store at room temperature for up to 4 days.
- To Freeze: Freeze donuts before glazing on a pan until solid. Transfer the frozen donuts to an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for 30 minutes to 1 hour before glazing and serving.
- To Reheat: If desired, you can warm the donuts in a microwave for 10 seconds or in a preheated oven at 350˚F degrees for about 2-3 minutes. This is best done with donuts before decorating, otherwise your glaze will run off the sides as it warms up.
If you liked my Baked Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts recipe, you’re going to love my Fruity Pebbles Donuts recipe and my other Donut Party ideas. .
Or you can check out my other desserts recipes here.
Get the Printable Recipe Card Here
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts
Baked Cinnamon Toast Crunch Donuts: Learn how to create the ultimate breakfast indulgence or party dessert with this step-by-step guide.
Ingredients
For the Donuts
- 1 Cup Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, crushed
- ¾ Cup Buttermilk
- 1 ⅔ Cup All-purpose Flour
- ¾ Teaspoon Baking Powder
- ¼ Teaspoon Baking Soda
- ½ Stick Salted Butter, melted (4 tablespoons)
- ¼ Cup Maple Syrup
- ¼ Cup Light Brown Sugar
- 1 Large Egg
- 2 Tablespoons Plain Greek Yogurt or Sour Cream
- 2 Tablespoons Canola or Vegetable Oil
- ½ Tablespoon Vanilla Extract
- 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
For the Glaze
- 1 ½ Cups Powdered Sugar
- 3 Tablespoon Whole Milk
- 1 Tablespoon Maple Syrup
- 1 Teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- ½ Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
- 1 1/2 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
Instructions
Make the Donuts
- Preheat the oven to 350˚F degrees fahrenheit. Grease your donut pan. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, add the buttermilk and 1 cup of crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal. Stir once or twice and then set aside.
- In another large mixing bowl, combine the flour, cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda. Mix thoroughly
- Lightly whisk the egg in a small bowl or ramekin. Then add it to the cereal and buttermilk mixture. Add the oil, maple syrup, vanilla extract, greek yogurt, brown sugar, and melted butter to the cereal mixture. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Stir ⅓ of the flour mixture into the wet mixture. Repeat until all the ingredients are thoroughly combined.
- Fill each cavity in the donut pan about ¾ full with the batter.
- Bake for 10 minutes or until the tops of the donuts spring back when touched.
- Move the donuts away from the stove and allow them to cool in the pan for about 15-20 minutes.
Prepare the Glaze and Top the Donuts
- While the donuts cool, combine the powdered sugar, milk, maple syrup, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon in a medium mixing bowl. Whisk until thoroughly combined.
- Crush some of the remaining Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal, making sure to leave some pieces whole. Set aside.
- Gently remove the donuts from the pan. Carefully dip the tops of the donuts into the prepared glaze.
- Move the glazed donuts to a piece of parchment paper, large plate, or a pan.
- Place some of the whole cereal pieces on one side of the donut glaze and sprinkle the same side with crushed cereal pieces as well. Enjoy!
Notes
Remember, the step-by-step photos and FAQ in the recipe post are there to help you if you feel stuck at any point.
- Tap the donut pan on the counter before baking to release air bubbles in the batter. This will result in a smoother, more even donut.
- Make sure you don't overfill the pan so the batter doesn't overflow while baking. It can help to pipe the batter into the donut cavities using a pastry bag with a 2A piping tip or a plastic bag with the corner cut off.
- The crushed cereal won't stick to the donut tops once the glaze hardens, so make sure to add it immediately for maximum deliciousness.
- When making the glaze, avoid the temptation to add all the milk to the powdered sugar at once. Add just a tablespoon of milk at a time, mixing until you've got the right consistency. I found 3 tablespoons to be just right, but temperature and humidity can affect how much you'll need on any given day.
- Make clean up easy and crush the cereal in a paper bag or ziplock bag.
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Esme Slabbert says
I love donuts, but by far prefer the baked vs oil ones, so this is perfect.
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