Cinnamon Toast
Cinnamon toast is a beloved classic breakfast or snack combining simple ingredients for a warm, comforting treat. Whether you’re revisiting a childhood favorite or looking for a quick bite, this sugary, spiced toast is perfect for any time of day. There are a few simple tweaks you can try to elevate your cinnamon toast and make it even more delightful.
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2024 Update: This recipe first appeared on My Cooking Spot in September 2014, where I was a contributor. This recipe and post have been updated to include new photos, as well as more tips and tricks in 2024. I hope you love it!
Cinnamon Toast recipe:
Some of the best recipes are the most simple ones, right? Think spaghetti and meatballs or grilled cheese. And cinnamon toast goes at the top of the list.
My dad used to make cinnamon sugar toast for my sister and me when we were kids. He always made it on plain white bread, and I looooooved it.
Still do, honestly. We make it regularly with our girls — it’s so fun to pass down little traditions like this!
But I also love taking an old favorite and upgrading it, especially as my tastes have evolved.
Elevating an ingredient is the best way to take a simple recipe taste even better. These days I like making cinnamon toast on fluffier, decadent breads like challah bread. It takes nostalgia to a whole new level.
Why I love this recipe:
This was one of my favorite recipes as a kid, and making it today is fun because it’s the best comfort food!
Here are some things I adore about this easy recipe:
- You only need four ingredients, and it’s so simple!
- It has the best texture… think of it like a creme brûlée crackly top.
- This is a small batch cinnamon toast recipe, but it’s easy to make it in a bigger batch if you’re feeding a crowd.
- You can also pretty easily eyeball this recipe and not mess it up. Eff measuring first thing in the morning!
More easy breakfast recipes to try: Apple Cinnamon Muffins | Homemade Maple Nut Granola | Lemon Blueberry Coffee Cake | How to Bake Bacon | Yogurt French Toast
What you need to make this recipe:
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- Toaster oven
- Serrated knife
- Cutting board
- Butter knife
- Measuring spoons
- Spoon or dusting wand for sprinkling sugar and cinnamon
Let’s talk ingredients!
In addition to the tools above, you’re going to need some ingredients to make this recipe, too! Chances are, you might already have some of them in your fridge or pantry. Scroll down to the recipe card for the full measurements and instructions.
Here’s what you’ll need to make this weekend breakfast treat:
- Thick cut challah bread — you can really use any luscious fluffy bread for this. However, it works with something as simple as sandwich bread or as delicate as brioche. You could punch up the cinnamon flavor by using a swirled cinnamon bread slice.
- Salted butter — unsalted butter works, too, but I really like the hint of salt. If you can, try it with a fancy butter like Irish butter! It’s even more indulgent.
- Granulated sugar — white sugar works best here. You can use brown sugar, too, but it may caramelize faster, so keep an eye on it.
- Ground cinnamon — whatever is on your spice rack will work, but a good quality cinnamon adds even more brilliant cinnamon flavor! Always check your spices about once a year as they become less potent as they age.
Customizations and substitutions
Make it fast: You can use pre-mixed cinnamon sugar to make this toast. This is really handy if you make it a lot!
Multiply it: Make it in the oven for a crowd. Butter a bunch of bread slices and toast them on an oven-safe baking rack over a cookie sheet. You can also do it directly on a baking sheet.
Level it up: Use high quality bread and butter to make your toast. This simple foundation makes a big difference in the end result.
How to make Cinnamon Toast
Making cinnamon toast is so freakin’ simple! However, people make it lots of ways. There’s not really a “right” answer, but here’s how my dad taught me to make it:
First, spread the soft butter on one side of the bread slice.
Sprinkle sugar evenly over the buttered side.
Next, sprinkle some cinnamon on top of the sugar.
Toast in a toaster oven on medium until the bread is crisp and the sugar begins bubbling, about 2-3 minutes. This may take a few rounds on “toast” mode. Be sure to keep an eye on it so that it does not burn.
Remove from the toaster. Let cool slightly (the sugar may be very hot) but enjoy while warm with fresh fruit or your other breakfast/brunch side dishes.
Please note that you can scale up this recipe and use an entire stick of butter and loaf of bread to make a batch. To do this, I recommend cooking it on a rimmed sheet pan in a 325F oven until golden brown and delicious.
Erin’s Easy Entertaining Tips
Wouldn’t these Cinnamon Sugar Toasts be the best kind of fancy toast to serve during an at-home brunch?
Here are some ways I’d prepare to share this simple recipe:
- Opt for high-quality bread and butter for the very best flavor. While we used white sandwich bread when I was a kid, there’s something fun about elevating it.
- Butter several slices of bread, add the cinnamon sugar on top and toast them sugar-side-up on an oven-safe baking rack placed over a cookie sheet.
- Use a pre-mixed cinnamon sugar mixture to save time in prepping the toast.
Frequently Asked Questions
First, butter the bread. Sprinkle with sugar, then add cinnamon on top. Then toast until the sugar bubbles and caramelizes.
Simple — in the oven! To make cinnamon toast in the oven, butter your bread slices and toast them butter-side-up on an oven-safe baking rack placed over a cookie sheet. You can also do it directly on a baking sheet.
Quick tips and tricks to making the best Cinnamon Toast
- This doesn’t work well in a traditional vertical toaster because the sugar and cinnamon mixture will fall off the bread and burn in the bottom. Use a toaster oven or oven for best results.
- Toasting the bread might take a few rounds… but better to go slow than burn your Cinnamon Toast! Keep the toaster on low or medium.
- When the bread is nice and crisp and the sugar has begun to bubble, it’s ready to eat! The key is the sugar cooking long enough to caramelize and crisp up.
- Let cool slightly before eating because the melted sugar will be very hot. But do eat it while warm!
More cinnamon breakfast recipes to try:
- Caramelized Apples
- Apple Cider Pancakes
- Pumpkin Waffles with Cinnamon Maple Syrup
- Cinnamon Roll Pancakes
- Cinnamon Roll Waffles
Here’s how you make this Cinnamon Sugar Toast…
Cinnamon Toast
Ingredients
- 2 slices challah bread thick cut
- 1 tablespoon salted butter
- 1 ½ tablespoons granulated sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
Equipment
- Serrated knife
- Measuring spoons
- Dusting wand
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Instructions
- Butter both slices of bread on a single side.
- Sprinkle on the sugar in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the cinnamon on top of the sugar layer.
- Toast in the toaster oven on medium. (This might take a few rounds… but better to go slow than burn your Cinnamon Toast.)
- When the bread is crisp and the sugar bubbles, remove from the toaster.
- Let cool slightly, then enjoy while warm.
Notes
Nutrition
Cinnamon Toast Recipe
About the Author:
Erin Parker is a Southern gal living in Texas with her husband and two daughters. She started The Speckled Palate to share what she was cooking as a newlywed… and over the years, it’s evolved to capture her love for hosting. Specifically, the EASIEST, lowest key entertaining because everyone deserves to see their people and connect over good food. Learn more about her…
Yes! Made this all the time growing up. Love it 🙂
This toast is screaming my name!
I just LOOOOOOOVE cinnamon, ad cinnamon toast sounds soooooooo GOOD
We’re on the same page, Winnie, because I feel the EXACT same way about this toast! SO good!