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Watch Me Make It
If you have ever thought about turning dessert into something you can smoke on the grill, this Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese might just blow your mind. It is creamy, sweet, and smoky all at once, with that nostalgic cinnamon sugar flavor that reminds me of the cereal bowl I never wanted to end as a kid.
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The best part is it is ridiculously easy, just a few ingredients and 30 minutes in the smoker, and you have got a BBQ dessert that turns heads every single time.
Why You'll Love Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese hits all the right notes, crunchy, creamy, and caramelized. The smoke gives the cream cheese a depth you do not expect from something so simple. You can serve it warm as a dessert dip, a sweet appetizer, or even a late night snack that makes you feel like you are breaking the rules.
If you are a fan of smoked cream cheese recipes, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese is about to become your go to.
The combination of Cinnamon Toast Crunch crumbs, cinnamon, and nutmeg builds a flavor that is like a campfire version of breakfast cereal. Add a drizzle of honey on top, and it becomes sticky and sweet in the best possible way. I have made this a few times for friends, and every time someone asks if it is hard to make, they cannot believe it only takes 40 minutes start to finish.
Ingredients and Tools
You will only need a few basics for this cinnamon toast crunch smoked cream cheese recipe, which makes it even better. Here is what I use.
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 4 oz Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
- 2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- 1 or 2 teaspoon Nutmeg
- 1 or 4 teaspoon Onion Powder
- 1 or 8 teaspoon Salt
- Honey drizzle for garnish
You will also need a small cast iron skillet or a piece of parchment paper, a food processor or blender, and of course, your smoker. I like to use mild woods for this, apple, pecan, or cherry all work perfectly since they add sweetness without overpowering the dessert flavor with the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese.
How To Make It
Start by preheating your smoker to 250°F. That low and slow heat is perfect for letting the cream cheese warm up without melting completely. The smoke will have time to infuse the cream cheese while building a light crust around the edges.
Next, make your cinnamon toast crumble for the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese. Toss the cereal into a food processor and pulse until it turns into a fine crumb. Then mix in your cinnamon, nutmeg, onion powder, and salt. It is simple, but the blend gives off that warm, spiced aroma that smells like a bakery.
Take your block of cream cheese and place it in a small cast iron skillet or on parchment paper. Score the top in a crosshatch pattern about a quarter inch deep. This helps the smoke penetrate and gives those crevices a nice texture once it caramelizes.
Now comes the fun part, coat the cream cheese completely with your cinnamon toast seasoning. Press it on gently so it sticks and covers every side. You want a thick layer here because it turns into a crunchy, smoky crust while it cooks.
Set the skillet in your smoker and let it go for about 30 minutes. Keep the lid closed and let the magic happen. The cream cheese should puff up slightly and take on a golden, caramelized look around the edges. When you see that, it is ready.
Once it is off the smoker, drizzle it with honey. The honey soaks into those cinnamon toast crumbs and gives it that perfect glossy finish. You can even use smoked honey if you have some, it takes the flavor to another level.
Serving Tips and Variations
Serve the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese right away while it is warm and gooey. I like to pair it with graham crackers, sliced apples, or buttery crostini. It is also amazing with pretzels if you want a little sweet salty combo.
You can experiment with different toppings too. Try a dusting of powdered sugar for a softer sweetness, or drizzle it with caramel sauce for a dessert that feels like cinnamon roll cheesecake. If you want to lean more savory, skip the honey and sprinkle a little smoked sea salt over the top before serving.
Another fun variation is swapping the cereal. Golden Grahams, Honey Nut Cheerios, or even Cap’n Crunch all work great. Each one gives a slightly different texture and sweetness level, so it is easy to change it up depending on what you are craving.
Pro Tips and Recipe Notes
- For the best texture on the Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese, let the cream cheese sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before smoking. This helps it soften evenly and keeps it from cracking.
- Do not rush the smoking time, 30 minutes at 250°F is the sweet spot. Go longer and it can start to melt too much.
- If you are prepping this ahead for a party, coat the cream cheese with the seasoning mix and refrigerate it until ready to smoke. Then just pop it in the smoker when guests arrive.
- Always serve it warm. Once it cools completely, it firms back up, but you can easily reheat it in the smoker or oven at 250°F for 10 minutes.
Wrap Up
This cinnamon toast crunch smoked cream cheese is proof that the smoker is not just for ribs and brisket. It is the kind of simple dessert that looks fancy but takes almost no effort. Between the creamy texture, smoky aroma, and sweet spiced crunch, it is an instant crowd pleaser.
If you are hosting a BBQ, tailgate, or backyard get together, toss one of these on the smoker while you finish the main course. By the time dinner is over, dessert is ready, and I guarantee everyone will be asking for the recipe.
If you have got kids running around, trust me, Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese is the one that gets their attention fast. It smells like breakfast cereal, looks like cheesecake, and tastes like pure comfort food. Once you try it, you will never look at smoked cream cheese the same way again.
Other Recipes You'll Love:
- Cherry Pie Smoked Cream Cheese - Perfect BBQ Dessert
- EASY Strawberry Shortcake Smoked Cream Cheese Recipe
- Bacon Jam Smoked Cream Cheese Super Easy Appetizer
- Easy Smoked Cinnamon Roll Cream Cheese Recipe
Watch Me Make It
Cinnamon Toast Crunch Smoked Cream Cheese
Ingredients
- 8 oz Cream Cheese
- 4 oz Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal
- 2 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon Nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon Onion Powder
- ⅛ teaspoon Salt
- Honey drizzle for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker to 250°F.
- Add the Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal to a blender or food processor and pulse until it’s a fine crumb. Pour into a small bowl and mix in cinnamon, nutmeg, onion powder, and salt, continue to mix until well combined.
- Place the block of cream cheese on a small cast iron skillet or on parchment paper. Use a knife to score the top in a crosshatch pattern about ¼-inch deep.
- Liberally coat the cream cheese on all sides with the cinnamon toast seasoning mix, pressing gently so it sticks well.
- Place the skillet in the smoker and smoke for about 30 minutes, until the cream cheese is softened, slightly puffed, and the seasoning crust looks caramelized and toasty.
- Finish with a drizzle of honey, or hot honey if desired
- Serve warm with graham crackers, apple slices, or even buttery crostini.
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