I don’t often claim perfection.
But I’m claiming it here.
I make the world’s best cinnamon toast. None can compare.
Now, before you are horrified by my boastfulness, let me give credit to my mother. She made it this way.
I once thought everyone made it this way. I’d hear or read about cinnamon toast and envision the perfection I was used to.
And then I got married. And one day I announced I was going to make cinnamon toast.
I was shocked at the lack of applause. I was perplexed at the absence of a joyful jig.
My husband said, “OK.”
OK? Who says “OK” in response to the promise of cinnamon toast??!?!?!
And that was when I learned not everyone makes it this way. He liked cinnamon toast, but he didn’t love it. He thought cinnamon toast was buttered toast with a bit of cinnamon and sugar sprinkled on top.
Over time, as he’s now bragged on my cinnamon toast to others, I’ve learned that many others have also been deprived throughout their lives by only knowing the sprinkle method of making cinnamon toast.
So here you go. And you’re welcome.
Ingredients:
One stick of real butter.
Eight to ten pieces of bread.
Some cinnamon. (If you are a measurer, start with one teaspoon)
Some more sugar. (3ish tablespoons)
Instructions:
Let the butter soften. If you’re in a hurry, you can put it in the microwave for ten seconds on 10% power.
Sprinkle cinnamon on the butter.
Sprinkle sugar.
Mash with a fork until you the butter and cinnamon and sugar are blended into a paste.
Spread on the toast with the back of a spoon. (For some reason, I prefer this to using a knife.)
Spread the cinnamon paste to the edges of the bread so it will cook evenly without the bread burning.
Place under the broiler and watch carefully. As soon as the paste begins to bubble evenly, remove the toast from the oven.
Let it cool slightly and serve.
There is nothing like the taste and texture of biting into the crispy, buttery, cinnamon-ey sweetness of cinnamon toast made this way.
The ingredients are the same as any version, it’s the method that makes it the world’s best cinnamon toast ever!!!
You’re welcome.
--Nony
Tracy says
I will have to try this. Up until now, I thought that the worlds best cinnamon toast was powdered sugar mixed with cinnamon. Butter the bread generously and press it into the powdered sugar mixture. Spread a little to mix it into the butter if not enough sticks. Then broil until bubbly.
Louise says
Do you toast the bread before spreading the butter mixture on it and broiling it? I did this when you had this on awhile back, and did not toast the bread, and it was good but soggy. Maybe I put too much butter mixture on it?
Dana White says
Are you using real butter? It’s soft but shouldn’t be soggy. Some non-butters have some water in them.
Christina says
My dad made it this way when I was growing up. It’s definitely yummy! My grandma on my mom’s side made it the sprinkle-sugar-and-cinnamon-on-buttered-toast way, which is also totally yummy. To me, they’re just two different things. I will usually just sprinkle on buttered toast because it’s easier, and I like to experience the ingredients a bit separately. Now that I think of it, for me the way my dad made it (Nony’s way) is more like dessert to me, while the other way is more like breakfast. Who knows why!?
Kristy K. James says
Hmm. I’m going to have to try this. Now that I’ve had to give up gluten, most of the pleasure of bread and/or toast is gone. To be blunt, most gluten free breads suck. But this just might do it for me. I LOVE cinnamon. I already know that buttering both sides and broiling (which always makes butter taste better for some reason) makes for a semi-decent replacement for open-faced burgers…but when I need something sweet….I think this will do the trick. And thank you for sharing. It looks wonderful 🙂
Kimberly says
try some “Udi’s” gluten-free bread…toasted…it is pretty good….especially if you smear this cinnamon toast spread on it!!!
Kristy K. James says
I didn’t see this post until today, Kimberly. I was just sitting here reading and though…I REALLY need some cinnamon toast. So I made some. I use Schar gluten-free bread though. It’s about the same as Udi’s, only I think it’s a little ‘lighter.’ Anyway, I did the cinnamon/butter/sugar on both sides (and broiled both sides, too). It was pretty decent. Made me wish for a real slice of bread though…but only because it’s half again as big so there would have been more to enjoy. 🙂
Ann B says
See BreadBeckers dot com It might not be the gluten, but the abundantly lacking nutrients in processed flour. Mill wheat yourself and bake breads, etc. from it same day and digestion is possible more often than not.
You might also be Vitamin D3 and Magnesium deficient which affect gut health, period.
Tracey says
This is good to know – will try it!
Rhonda H. says
O my, Nony. This is very similar to the way my mom made cinnamon toast when I was a kid. The sugar-butter mixture gets kinda crunchy and is just yummy! This sure takes me back. ~sigh~
Michele says
Love cinnamon toast! Your mixture is like a cinnamon butter which is super yummy on yeast rolls.
Stacy says
Your recipe is similar to Pioneer Woman’s recipe. You should check hers out though, I think you will like it. I love it made this way. So yummy.
Katlin S says
Ree just adds a bit of vanilla extract… which makes ANYTHING taste better!
Deeann says
I always just libberally butter the bread and sprinkle with a mixture of cinnamon and sugar and put it under the broiler, that way I can make only as many pieces as I need… it works the same way! Love it! I too was amazed the first time I saw someone make it with out broiling it… what is the point- yuck! LOL
Susan says
I’ve never broiled it before but recently tried mixing all the ingredients together (Pioneer Woman, I think…) and it was delicious! You CAN improve it though…try adding a bit of vanilla to the mixture-puts it over the top!
Kimberly says
Yeah for you, Nony, I have been making my cinnamon toast this way for about 35 years. My three sons are 31, 28, and 27…they have always claimed that their momma makes the best cinnamon toast!!!
They especially enjoyed being able to make their own. I would keep a tub of the “mix” in the fridge and they could have cinnamon toast any time of day!!! “The crunchy part is the best!!!”
Janae says
This sounds super yummy! Curious if you used salted or unsalted butter?
Dana White says
Salted. I like the slight saltiness!
Crystal says
Take it one step further and add 1 tsp vanilla! My kids literally jump up and down when I tell them I’m making cinnamon and sugar bagels for breakfast!
Dana White says
Totally going to try that!!
stephbo93 says
Would you believe I have never had cinnamon toast? Nope. Not ever. Not once. I was never really sure how to make it. I must say your method, while a little alarming for this Weight Watcher with its whole stick of butter, looks absolutely delicious! I just might have to try it.
Carolyn says
I always put it in the broiler too and never heard of the other way until my husband saw me one day and said why are you doing it like that? Just stick the bread in the toaster and then butter and sprinkle…I couldn’t believe he thinks that is the same!!! It is so much better broiled to form the crispy sugar!
kerry says
OK this is my first time trying this and both times the bread got really soggy but the edges were starting to burn. Any suggestions as to what them to have the broiler on and what rack to use.
kerry says
Should say temp not them!
Dana White says
Hmmm. My broiler is automatically on 500. I do the top rack. Also, it’s really important to spread it out to the VERY edges so it will cook more evenly.
About the sogginess. A few guesses. It might be spread too thick. And are you using real butter? If not, there’s water in margarine and that might make it soggy.
Hope that helps!
kerry says
Thanks so much Dana! My broilers auto set is 525 but I can go lower. I did everything else u mentioned but I did not use butter as one of my kiddos is allergic to dairy and I used a spread, so that must be the problem. I will have to try a 3rd time w/ real butter for myself and my other kiddos. I was even thinking for his I could toast his in the toaster then put the mixture of his spread, cinnamon, and sugar on then put it under the broiler. That may help it not be soggy. It made the house smell so good I don’t mind trying till I get it right!
Carolyn says
We call this Camp Mack Cinnamon Toast because they have made it for years at our church camp. I grew up loving it. The BEST cinnamon toast in the world!!
Nancy says
Yes, Carolyn……i always loved the cinnamon toast at Camp Mack! We used to just keep getting plate after plate of it for our table.
If this is just like that fond memory, i will be one happy old camper! M-A-C-K, MACK IS OUR CAMP…….
Christina says
Yessss!!! This IS the best cinnamon toast. I’ve made it this way for years, as did my mother before me.
jD says
You are forgetting one important thing… Add vanilla to the mix. I also prefer to bake at 350 for 10 min then broil for 2-4 min. Will make it even better. Have to have vanilla.
Teresa says
I always use brown sugar. My son loves it.
Christine says
For anyone who wants to skip the butter mashing with sugar and cinnamon, Land O Lakes makes a cinnamon butter spread that comes in a small tub. It’s pretty good, and then you don’t have to do a big batch. I’m someone who LIKES the sprinkled cinnamon sugar on buttered toast though, so maybe this doesn’t count. 😀
Jay says
Stop all this talk of cinnamon toast right now….. I am a diabetic & so jealous.
Sounds amazing
Beth R says
I hate to admit this, but I have never even heard of this method. The only way I’ve ever had cinnamon toast is the apparently yucky butter/sprinkle method. The only thing halfway fancy was the removal of the crust. I always made the yucky kind when my daughter was sick. Maybe she would have felt better instantly if I would have known about this method ! or faked sick just to get it ?
How could my mother and grandmother not teach me how to make proper cinnamon toast for petes sake ! I will be trying this as soon as I get outta bed this morning .
P.S. I was a little surprised that there was an actual recipe for cinn toast, now I see why. YUMMMMMY !
Mary says
My mother always made it with brown sugar. I don’t think it was bad. I don’t eat
“normal” sugar anymore. Oh, dear, maybe I could make it with date or coconut sugar.
Jo says
It’s funny how you should post this today…I had read your cinamon toast recipe ages ago, and decided to try it out ths morning to have for breakfast with coffee. Checked your facebook page, and found you had just posted it. My very unhealthy breakfast was meant to be! Thanks for your blog, after 2 days last month reading your first couple of hundred entries, it then took me a week to finish and get up to date, because I learnt I really had notl excuse to wash the dishes, clean the kitchen, sort out my paper clutter,etc… then my mum calls t tell me she’s bought more containers to store my clutter she found throughout her house until I get back from overseas next year. I yelled out a very distressed and dramatic “NOOOOO!”. I forgot to tell my mum containers are not my friends anymore! So in conclusion, thank you for this blog, and helping shed light on what is obvious for other people!
Dana White says
Love it! Go you!!
Lisa says
Critical question: Do you toast the other side of the bread first? Or it it soft on one side, cinammon-crunchy-lovely on the other? Enquiring minds want to know…
Dana White says
Don’t toast the other side!
Vicki Bradley says
Always made the sprinkle kind before. I have an extremely picky eater and he liked it. Woo-Hoo. Very, very good breakfast this morning. Thanks for sharing!!
Jill Jollief says
Broiler does not work so what should i do?
think my Mother made this way years and years ago. Top was a little “hard”.
Candy Apple says
But I *like* it when you encounter clumps of crusty cinnamon or sugar. Butter, sprinkle sugar, then sprinkle cinnamon, then sprinkle sugar, then cinnamon. You now have four alternate layers of flavor that are going to explode in your mouth when you encounter them. Your way just encourages hegemony.
Dana White says
I had to look up “hegemony” but I urge you to try it my way! Oh, the crispiness and melt-in-my-mouthiness of the broiled mixture is so good! I’m sure I’d love your way too, though!
Kelly Kovar says
I made coffee, patty sausage and Dana’s cinnamon toast for breakfast today! Thanks for the recipe, I had never heard of this before!
Susan Koble says
Wow. I wasn’t aware there was any other way to make it! This is how I’ve always done it.
HeatherN says
I normally make it the lazy way, but tried it this way tonight. The kids prefer it this way, but I didn’t like the toast sweat that formed on the bottom of the bread. Next time Ill try it with the rack I put in my roasting pan so the bread isn’t touching the bottom of the tray. Thanks for sharing your recipe! ☺
Margot Ford says
I LOVED the recipe but I felt there was a step omitted in the instructions (for those of us who need to have our hands held. lol!). For me, it would have been clearer if toasting the bread were a step included in the instructions. BTW, My husband and I LOVE this!❣️
Dana White says
We don’t toast the bread first. I like the buttery sogginess of the middle of the bread.
Shawn Vargas says
Yes! When my Dad made it, I would almost drool over the pools of cinnamon colored butter lakes. Haha!
MANDI v says
Umm… what do you do with the applesauce? Just have it on the side?
Signed,
sprinkler willing to try it your way
Dana White says
I don’t know what you mean about applesauce? I’ve searched and can’t find where it’s mentioned? No applesauce needed.
Mandi says
“And then I got married. And one day I announced I was going to make cinnamon toast.
I was shocked at the lack of applause. I was perplexed at the absence of a joyful jig.” I thought you were saying yours contained applesauce and a joyful jig and his didn’t. I can figure out the joyful jig, but wanted to “do the applesauce right.”
Renee says
🤣🤣🤣
Gayle says
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
I am literally rolling!! “I wanted to do the applesauce right!” Hahahaha!! 😆🙃
Thanks for posting this again, Nony! I’ve read your recipe before, but never thought it went with my diet too well. However, since I have gained more weight in spite of “dieting”, I think I’ll just go for it. ‘Twill give my hubby a lovely surprise for his breakfast tomorrow! 😍
Joanne Munns says
I think the confusion of whether to toast first or not comes from where you say to spread the mixture on your toast. To me that would mean to toast it first, before spreading the butter mixture on.
Shawn Vargas says
I LOVED when my Dad made my cinnamon toast.
He went heavy on the margarine, sugar & cinnamon. Haha!
I go heavy on the butter & reasonable on sugar & heavier on cinnamon.
I will definitely have to try your creamed sugar method!!
Renee says
I’m going to try this. In a minute. But with brown sugar, and my excuse is to see how it compares with my mother’s ultimate, can’t believe there could be anything else as good, method. The difference is that she used brown sugar and instead of blending the goodness ahead of time, it went on in layers: butter; lots of sugar; plenty of cinnamon; and then extra dots of butter on top to melt and carmelize in delicious bite sized spots. It was like eating candy on bread.
Note to those who can’t use real butter: I grew up with only margarine – the original stick version – and that does work. The stuff in tubs will ruin it. Probably soft spread real butter would be just as bad.
To lessen the soggy bottoms , I generally toast the bread under the broiler on one side only, then flip it before adding the toppings.
Penny says
I just tried this in my toaster oven. I buttered the bread, added cinnamon and brown sugar, and set the two pieces on the rack in the oven. Eventually the sugar started to bubble, so I took that as my cue to take it out. It is good this way – but I also like it the other way with butter and cinnamon sugar added after toasting.