Name: Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 45 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 3 cups Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal, divided; 1 1/4 cup All Purpose Flour; 3/4 cup Cake Flour; 3.3 oz. white chocolate instant pudding mix; 1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon; 1 tsp. cornstarch; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1/2 tsp. baking soda; 1/2 tsp. salt; 8 Tbsp. unsalted butter, cold, cut into cubes; 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed; 1/4 cup sugar; 1 Tbsp. vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 1 1/2 cups white chocolate chips; 2 Tbsp. sugar; 1 tsp. ground cinnamon; 4 oz. softened cream cheese; 4 Tbsp. butter, softened; 1 1/4 cup confectioners sugar; 1 tsp. vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp. salt

Jump to Recipe· 3.9 from 59 reviews

If you have a sweet tooth and love a cookie packed with nostalgic flavors, you are going to be absolutely obsessed with this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe. Imagine the irresistible crunch and cinnamon sugar magic of your favorite breakfast cereal transformed into a soft, chewy cookie filled with pockets of melty white chocolate and topped with the creamiest, tangy cream cheese frosting. It’s a truly delightful treat that brings childhood favorites and decadent dessert vibes together in the most delicious way possible.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The image shows a group of round cookies on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has two layers: a darker brown base with a rough texture, topped with a thick layer of creamy white frosting that looks smooth and slightly soft. On top of the frosting, there are broken pieces of light brown crunchy cereal sprinkled all over. Around the cookies are scattered more cereal pieces, with two small white bowls filled with additional white frosting and cereal pieces placed near the cookies. The look is warm and cozy with a mix of soft and crunchy textures. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

What makes these cookies so special is how simple yet thoughtfully paired the ingredients are. Each one plays a crucial role in giving you that perfect balance of texture, cinnamon warmth, sweetness, and creamy frosting that just melts in your mouth.

Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal: The star of the show providing that iconic cinnamon sugar crunch and texture both crushed and whole.
All Purpose and Cake Flour: Together they give the cookies a tender crumb with just the right amount of chew.
White Chocolate Instant Pudding Mix: Adds an extra dose of white chocolate flavor and keeps cookies wonderfully moist.
Ground Cinnamon: Essential to deepen the cinnamon flavor that makes these cookies sing.
Butter (cold, cubed): Incorporates slowly to create a tender cookie dough and a rich buttery taste.
Brown Sugar and Granulated Sugar: A duo for sweetness and moisture with a subtle caramel note.
White Chocolate Chips: Little bursts of creamy sweetness perfectly complementing the cinnamon.
Cream Cheese, Butter, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla, and a pinch of Salt (for Frosting): These create a silky, tangy frosting that’s the perfect finishing touch.
Cinnamon Sugar Coating: Rolled on the cookie dough for an extra sparkle of sweet cinnamon crunch.

How to Make Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prepare Your Base

Start by crushing 2 cups of Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal in a food processor until crumbly but not powdered—this ensures lovely texture inside your cookies. Meanwhile, whisk together your dry ingredients including all-purpose flour, cake flour, the white chocolate instant pudding mix, cornstarch, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt. This dry mix will build the structure of your cookies and infuse every bite with cinnamon and subtle white chocolate flavor.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugars

Using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, cream the cold, cubed butter with brown and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, approximately 3 to 4 minutes. This step is crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth texture, as the aeration creates tiny pockets that expand during baking. Once fluffy, add in your eggs and vanilla extract for moisture and flavor.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients, Cereal, and White Chocolate Chips

Lower the mixer to low speed and gradually add your dry ingredient mix, a quarter cup at a time, to prevent flour clouds and to maintain texture. Next, fold in the crunchy crushed cereal and generous white chocolate chips—this combination packs your cookie dough with amazing texture and that signature Cinnamon Toast Crunch flavor in every bite.

Step 4: Shape and Coat the Dough Balls

Divide your dough into six large balls. In a separate small bowl, mix cinnamon and sugar, then roll each dough ball in this cinnamon sugar coating for an extra layer of sweet, spicy crunch on the exterior. This not only tastes amazing but also adds beautiful color and sparkle to your cookies as they bake.

Step 5: Bake to Perfection

Place your coated dough balls on a lined baking sheet, either with a silicone mat or parchment paper, and bake at 400°F for 10-12 minutes. The high temperature helps the cookies develop a lightly crispy edge while staying soft and chewy inside. Immediately after baking, let the cookies rest for about 15 minutes on the sheet, which helps them set—especially important if you like a gooey center that holds together perfectly.

Step 6: Make the Cream Cheese Frosting & Final Touches

While the cookies are baking, blend softened cream cheese and butter until smooth with a hand mixer. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt and whip until you achieve a creamy, spreadable frosting. Once the cookies have cooled completely on a wire rack, frost generously and sprinkle the top with the remaining crushed cereal and a little more cinnamon sugar for that wow factor. This frosting adds the perfect creamy tang that balances the sweet cinnamon and white chocolate beautifully.

How to Serve Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe

The image shows several round cookies laid out on a white marbled surface. Each cookie has a brown base with a light, creamy frosting layer on top. The frosting appears soft and thick, slightly uneven in spread, and is topped with small, broken pieces of crunchy cereal in different shades of light brown. Crushed cereal pieces are scattered around the cookies, adding texture and filling the spaces between them. A white bowl with more frosting is partially visible in the top left corner. The whole scene is bright and inviting with natural lighting. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

For a charming presentation, sprinkle a little extra crushed Cinnamon Toast Crunch and dust a touch of cinnamon sugar on top of the cream cheese frosting just before serving. This adds extra crunch and bursts of cinnamon aroma that elevate your cookie experience to next-level indulgence.

Side Dishes

These cookies pair wonderfully with a tall glass of cold milk or a cup of spiced chai tea to echo the cinnamon notes. For a fun brunch or dessert party, serve alongside vanilla ice cream or fresh fruit to balance sweet and refreshing flavors.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking a few cookies with frosting between each layer for a playful cookie sandwich, or use a piping bag with a star tip to frost the cookies for a beautiful, bakery-style look at home. Wrapping individual cookies in cellophane with a cinnamon stick tied on top also makes an excellent homemade gift idea that anyone would adore.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Store your leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain that soft, chewy texture. If you want to keep the cookies and frosting separate before serving, store them unfrosted and frost just before eating for the freshest experience.

Freezing

You can freeze both unfrosted cookie dough balls and baked cookies. Freeze dough balls on a sheet tray first, then transfer to a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Baked cookies freeze well too—just thaw at room temperature. For frosting, store separately in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week or freeze for longer storage.

Reheating

Warm baked cookies slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or in an oven at low heat (about 300°F for 5 minutes) to revive that fresh-baked softness and melt the white chocolate chips. Reapply or add cream cheese frosting after warming if desired.

FAQs

Can I substitute the white chocolate instant pudding mix with regular vanilla pudding mix?

Yes! If you cannot find white chocolate flavored pudding mix, vanilla pudding mix is a wonderful alternative that still keeps your cookies moist and flavorful.

Is it necessary to use cake flour in this recipe?

Cake flour helps create a tender crumb texture. If you don’t have cake flour, you can make a homemade version by mixing 14 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with 2 tablespoons of corn starch, then sifting well.

Can I make gluten-free Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe?

Absolutely! Replace both the all-purpose and cake flour with an equal amount of a gluten-free 1-to-1 baking flour blend, like Bob’s Red Mill, to make this recipe gluten-free while keeping the texture great.

How long should I let the cookies rest after baking?

Allow cookies to rest for at least 15 minutes on the baking sheet before transferring them to a cooling rack. This helps them set perfectly, especially for a gooey but structured center.

Can I make smaller cookies with this recipe?

Yes! Just adjust the baking time by a couple of minutes, usually reducing it, so the cookies don’t overbake or become too crisp around the edges.

Final Thoughts

This Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe is undoubtedly a showstopper that brings together playful crunch, warm cinnamon, creamy white chocolate, and luscious frosting in each flavorful bite. It’s the kind of dessert you’ll want to make again and again, whether for celebrations or an everyday treat. So grab your mixing bowls, gather these simple ingredients, and treat yourself and your loved ones to a cookie experience that feels like a warm, cinnamon-scented hug.