If you are a fan of crunchy, cinnamon-spiced breakfasts that deliver both nostalgia and a fresh twist, you are going to love this Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe. Imagine the classic cinnamon toast crunch flavor you adore, but made from scratch with the tangy depth of sourdough discard woven into every crispy bite. It’s a delightful way to use up your sourdough discard while creating a homemade cereal that feels both comforting and exciting. Trust me, once you taste this, your breakfast routine will never be the same!
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe calls for a handful of pantry staples that come together to balance flavor, texture, and that perfect golden crunch. Each ingredient plays an essential role, from the buttery richness to the warm cinnamon warmth that makes this cereal irresistibly tasty.
- All-purpose flour: The base that provides structure and a light, crispy texture once baked.
- Sugar: Adds the essential sweetness that caramelizes during baking for that golden crunch.
- Ground cinnamon: Infuses the cereal with its signature warm, inviting spice.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the other flavors beautifully.
- Cold/frozen butter: Creates flaky, tender layers, crucial for that satisfying crunch.
- Sourdough discard: Adds a subtle tang and depth, making this cereal truly unique.
- Vanilla paste: Introduces a sweet floral note that complements cinnamon perfectly.
- Additional cold water: Helps bring the dough together if needed without making it sticky.
- Melted butter (for topping): Ensures the cinnamon sugar sticks, enhancing flavor and crunch.
- Cinnamon sugar topping: A generous mix of sugar and cinnamon sprinkled on top to finish the cereal with a sweet, spiced glaze.
How to Make Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to get it ready for baking. While it warms up, whisk together your cinnamon and sugar in a small bowl. This cinnamon sugar topping is going to be the crowning glory of your cereal, delivering that sweet and spicy crunch with every bite.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients and Cut in Butter
In a food processor, toss in the flour, sugar, ground cinnamon, and salt. Next, add your cold or frozen butter cut into small cubes. Pulse the mixture until the butter resembles pea-sized pieces. This step is essential because these little butter pockets will melt during baking, creating the flaky texture that makes this cereal so addictive. If you don’t have a food processor, no worries—using a pastry cutter or your fingers works just as well!
Step 3: Add Sourdough Discard and Vanilla
Pour in your sourdough discard and vanilla paste, then pulse or mix until the dough just begins to come together. The sourdough discard adds a subtle tang that sets this cereal apart, giving it depth beyond your average cinnamon crisp. If the dough feels too dry after about 30 seconds, add cold water a tablespoon at a time until it holds together like a dream.
Step 4: Roll and Cut the Dough
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Roll each half out into a thin rectangle, about 1/8-inch thick. Remember, the thinner the dough, the crunchier your cereal! Use a pizza cutter or a sharp knife to slice the dough into tiny squares—aim for pieces about half an inch apart so they bake evenly and crisp up beautifully.
Step 5: Butter, Sprinkle, and Bake
Place the squares on a parchment-lined baking sheet, brush generously with melted butter, then sprinkle the prepared cinnamon sugar mixture all over. This final step before baking is what turns these little squares into golden treasures. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until the cereal is lightly golden and smells completely irresistible. Let it cool completely before digging in!
How to Serve Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe
Garnishes
Feel free to top your Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal with a sprinkle of extra cinnamon or a drizzle of honey for added sweetness. Fresh berries or sliced banana on top can add a fruity note that contrasts wonderfully with the cinnamon crunch.
Side Dishes
This cereal pairs wonderfully with a simple bowl of cold or warm milk for a classic breakfast experience. You might also enjoy it alongside a cup of coffee or your favorite latte, as the cinnamon and sourdough flavors mingle beautifully with coffee’s rich bitterness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, try layering the cereal with Greek yogurt and fruit in parfait glasses. The crunch will provide a delightful texture contrast, making breakfast feel a little more special. You can also sprinkle this cereal over a baked apple crisp or mix it into trail mix for a cinnamon-spiced surprise.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once your cereal has cooled completely, store it in an airtight container at room temperature. It will stay crisp and fresh for up to a week, so you can enjoy a homemade bowl anytime without any fuss.
Freezing
If you want to keep your Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe longer, you can freeze it in a sealed container or freezer bag for up to 2 months. When ready to eat, just thaw at room temperature to maintain that fantastic crunch.
Reheating
If the cereal softens a bit after storage, refresh it by popping it in a preheated oven at 300 degrees Fahrenheit for 3 to 5 minutes. This quick reheat crisps things right back up without burning the delicate cinnamon sugar coating.
FAQs
Can I use active sourdough starter instead of discard?
Absolutely! You can substitute active starter in the same amount as the sourdough discard called for in this recipe. Just make sure it’s weighed accurately for the best results.
Is there a dairy-free version of this cereal?
Yes! Swap out the butter for a plant-based margarine or coconut oil and use your favorite dairy-free milk when serving. The cereal will still be deliciously crispy and flavorful.
What if I don’t have a food processor?
No worries! Using a mixing bowl and a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour mixture works beautifully. Just take your time to get those pea-sized butter chunks mixed in evenly.
How thin should I roll the dough?
Roll the dough to about 1/8th of an inch thick. The thinner the dough, the crispier the cereal will be. Too thick might lead to a chewier texture, which is not quite the same experience.
Can I add more cinnamon for extra spice?
Feel free to adjust the cinnamon to your taste! If you love a stronger cinnamon kick, add a little extra to both the dough and the topping mixture.
Final Thoughts
Making this Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe at home is such a rewarding experience, especially knowing you’ve transformed sourdough discard into an utterly delicious breakfast treat. It brings joy to the table with every crunchy, cinnamon-kissed bite, and I truly hope you’ll give it a try soon. Once you taste this homemade cereal, it might just become one of your favorite ways to start the day!
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Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal Recipe
- Total Time: 25-30 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Sourdough Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal recipe transforms sourdough discard into a crunchy, cinnamon-sugar coated homemade cereal that’s perfect for breakfast or a snack. With a crispy texture and a warm cinnamon flavor, it mimics the classic cereal but with a fresh, homemade twist. The dough is rolled thin, cut into small squares, baked until golden, and enjoyed with milk for a delightful treat.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 220 grams (1 1/2 cups + 1 Tablespoon) all-purpose flour
- 55 grams (1/4 cup) sugar
- 6 grams (1 Tablespoon) ground cinnamon
- 3 grams (1/2 teaspoon) salt
- 113 grams (1/2 cup) cold/frozen unsalted butter, cubed
- 120 grams (1/2 cup) sourdough discard
- 4 grams (1 teaspoon) vanilla paste
- Additional cold water, if needed
Topping
- 57 grams (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
- 110 grams (1/2 cup) sugar
- 6 grams (1 Tablespoon) ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) to prepare for baking the cereal.
- Make Cinnamon Sugar Topping: In a small bowl, whisk together 6 grams (1 tablespoon) of ground cinnamon with 110 grams (1/2 cup) sugar until evenly blended. Set this mixture aside for sprinkling on the dough later.
- Prepare Dough Base: In a food processor, combine 220 grams all-purpose flour, 55 grams sugar, 6 grams ground cinnamon, and 3 grams salt. Add the 113 grams of cold, cubed butter to the processor and pulse until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs. Alternatively, use a pastry cutter by hand to achieve the same texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add 120 grams sourdough discard and 4 grams vanilla paste to the flour and butter mixture. Pulse briefly. If the dough does not come together after about 30 seconds, add cold water one tablespoon at a time, pulsing briefly each time, until the dough forms a cohesive ball.
- Divide and Roll Dough: Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and divide it in half. Roll each half into a large rectangle about 1/8 inch thick. Re-flour the surface and flip the dough as needed to prevent sticking. The thinner the dough, the crunchier the cereal will be.
- Arrange on Baking Sheet: Transfer the rolled dough onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush the surface evenly with the melted butter (57 grams).
- Sprinkle Topping and Cut: Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered dough. Using a pizza cutter or sharp knife, cut the dough into small squares approximately 1/2 inch apart.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until the cereal pieces turn golden brown and crisp.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the cereal to cool completely on the baking sheet to crisp up further. Serve in a bowl with milk, just like traditional cereal, and enjoy!
Notes
- You can also use active sourdough starter instead of discard; use the same weight (120 grams).
- If your dough is too dry and doesn’t come together, add cold water 1 tablespoon at a time to help it form properly.
- Rolling the dough thinner will produce crunchier cereal pieces.
- Store leftover cereal in an airtight container to maintain crispness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15-20 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
