Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cheesecake

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2

Put the milk and 1 cup of the cereal in a medium bowl and let stand until the milk tastes like the cereal, about 30 minutes. Strain the flavored milk and reserve. Discard the soaked cereal.

Step 3

Crush the remaining 7 cups cereal in a resealable plastic bag with a rolling pin. Add 1/2 cup of the melted butter and 2 tablespoons of the brown sugar to the bag and shake until the cereal is coated. Pack into a 9-inch springform baking pan, pressing it about 1/2 inch up the sides. Bake until lightly toasted, 12 to 15 minutes. Cool to room temperature, about 30 minutes.

Step 4

Meanwhile, combine the gelatin with 1/4 cup water in a small microwave-safe bowl and set aside to soften, about 5 minutes.

Step 5

Whisk together the cinnamon, remaining 4 tablespoons melted butter and remaining 10 tablespoons brown sugar in a small bowl to combine; set aside.

Step 6

Beat the cream cheese, confectioners' sugar, sour cream, vanilla, salt and lemon juice in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until completely smooth, about 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and add the cereal milk. Continue to beat on low until completely incorporated, about 2 minutes.

Step 7

Microwave the gelatin, stirring as needed, until melted, about 30 seconds. Add the gelatin to the cream cheese mixture and beat on medium speed to combine, about 30 seconds.

Step 8

Scoop out about a quarter of the batter into another medium bowl and stir in the cinnamon-butter mixture.

Step 9

Fill a 1/4-cup measure with cinnamon batter and pour into the center of the crust. Fill a 1/2-cup measure with vanilla batter and pour into the middle of the cinnamon batter. (The batter will spread; as you add alternating scoops, they will widen, forming concentric circles.) Repeat with the remaining batter, alternating between flavors and using the 1/4-cup measure for the cinnamon and the 1/2-cup measure for the vanilla, until all the batter is gone. Refrigerate until completely set, at least 4 hours and up to overnight.

Step 10

Unmold the cheesecake. Pipe or dollop whipped cream around the top edge and top each dollop with a few pieces of cereal.