Homemade Cinnamon Toast Crunch

We are cereal junkies in this house! Guaranteed we have about 6-8 boxes on the top of our fridge as we speak...

Granted, about 4 of them probably have less than a bowl in them... Cuz y'know, when it gets down to the bottom it's inedible (right?)

To be fair though, they're mostly healthy flavors. Cheerios (of all kinds, typically honey nut or multi-grain), Honey Smacks, and granola (yum). My boring old-people-cereal flavors pale in comparison to my childhood favorites, though.

Those were typically Fruity Pebbles, Cookie Crisp, Reese's Puffs, Lucky Charms, and always... ALWAYS... Cinnamon Toast Crunch.

On a side note though, does anyone realize how creepy the cereal mascots were? Trix are just for kids with a rabbit that was most likely on speed? Lucky Charms, magically delicious leprechaun? Creepsville. It isn't just me is it?

But who was the Cinnamon Toast Crunch mascot? No one. No creepy rabbit, or a howling wolf/dog, just delicious cinnamon-sugar cereal that spoke for itself and loved milk... I can get behind that!

However, since cereal is laden with sucro-godknowswhat, I thought I would attempt a homemade version (cuz I'm totally a health conscious mom...pfff just kidding!)

P.S: This recipe could totally be turned vegan with a simple replacement of soy or almond milk!

You will need:
1 1/4 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/3 cup coconut oil (softened if necessary)
1/3 cup brown sugar
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
2 Tablespoons honey
1/2 cup cold milk (plus 1-2 Tablespoons)

For the topping:
1 Tablespoon coconut oil, melted
1/8 cup granulated sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon

In a large bowl, whisk together the flours, baking soda, and cinnamon. With a pastry cutter, blend in the coconut oil, brown sugar, granulated sugar, vanilla, and honey until the dough is crumbly and about the size of peas. Add in the 1/2 cup of cold milk and stir until the dough starts to form a ball, this is when you may add 1-2 Tablespoons extra milk if the dough still seems too dry.
Divide the dough ball in half.
Working with one dough piece at a time, lightly flour a surface and roll out until 1/8-1/4 inch thick.

Brush the rolled out dough with half of the Tablespoon of melted coconut oil. Combine the 1/8 cup sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon in a bowl and sprinkle the top of the dough with cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Using a sharp knife or pizza cutter, cut dough into 1/2 inch squares and prick the tops once or twice with a fork.
*Make sure to flour your surface throughout the rolling out process to prevent sticking.*
Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line a large cookie sheet with parchment paper and place the cereal squares on top, leaving some space in between each.

 

Bake in the preheated oven for 10-13 minutes or until lightly browned and crispy. Remove and let cool completely before serving. Store in an airtight container.

This cereal is amazing by itself but even better in a bowl with ice cold milk... The last sip of cinnamon-sugar laced milk is the BEST! Bomb.com, y'all!

Keep your eyes peeled for more homemade cereals in the future, that's for sure!

*recipe adapted from the amazing and so talented Half Baked Harvest