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    Home » Recipes » Cookies, Brownies & Bars

    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    November 19, 2019 by Amee 24 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Sometimes I make things complicated that don't need to be. It's in my nature. BUT: these Cinnamon Roll Bars are quick, easy, and not at all fussy!

    Cinnamon Roll Bars


    This post may contain affiliate links, and as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. I’ll never link to anything I don’t use and love! Click here for full disclosure and privacy policy.

    These Cinnamon Roll Bars are chewy, super cinnamony (it's a word), and slathered in vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting! They taste just like biting into the gooey center of a cinnamon roll!

    If you enjoy this recipe, check out the posts for my Funfetti Cinnamon Rolls, Apple Crisp Macchiato Bars, and Cinnamon Pie with Apple Cider Meringue!

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Other Recipes You May Like
    • Cinnamon Roll Bars
    • 💬 Comments
    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Ingredients

    The ingredient list is pretty simple. You likely have most of these ingredients in your pantry already! The measurements for all the ingredients are listed in the recipe card, below.

    Cinnamon Roll Bar Ingredients

    • Flour - Provides structure for the bars. I used all-purpose flour.
    • Ground Cinnamon - For flavor.
    • Salt - To balance and enhance the flavor of the bars.
    • Unsalted Butter - For moisture and richness. I use unsalted butter so that I control the amount of salt in the recipe.
    • Brown Sugar - For sweetness and slight molasses flavor. The sugar also keeps the bars moist.
    • Egg - For moisture, richness, and a little leavening. You want your egg to be at room temperature.
    • Vanilla Extract - For flavor.

    Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients

    • Cream Cheese - For flavor, texture, and richness. You want your cream cheese to be at room temperature. I used full fat cream cheese.
    • Unsalted Butter - For flavor, texture, and richness. You want your butter to be at room temperature.
    • Vanilla Bean Paste - For flavor. You know I can't help myself when it comes to vanilla bean paste! It has fantastic flavor, and leaves gorgeous flecks of vanilla in the frosting. If you prefer to substitute, just use an equal measure of vanilla extract instead.
    • Ground Cinnamon - For flavor.
    • Powdered Sugar - For sweetness. I use powdered sugar because it dissolves completely, so there's no chance of a gritty texture to your frosting.
    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Instructions

    You can find more detailed instructions in the recipe card, below. Oh, and when I say these bars are "slathered" in frosting, I mean it. It's pretty much a 1:1 ratio. Don't question it, just enjoy. It's Thanksgiving and stretchy pants are a must.

    Making the Cinnamon Bars

    • In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients. Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Scrape mixture into the pan.
    • Press the mixture evenly into the pan with damp fingertips. Bake 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack.

    Making the Cream Cheese Frosting

    • Combine cream cheese and butter in a medium bowl. Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth (a mixer helps with this, but isn't necessary).
    • Add vanilla bean paste and cinnamon. Mix to combine.
    • Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Pipe or spread frosting on top of cooled bars, adding sprinkles if you desire.
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    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Storage

    Since they have cream cheese frosting, the bars should be stored in the refrigerator. In an airtight container, the they'll keep for up to a week.

    Cinnamon Roll Bars

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    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Cinnamon Roll Bars

    Amee
    These Cinnamon Roll Bars taste just like your favorite cinnamon roll--slathered in vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting--but bake up in a fraction of the time!
    5 from 6 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 mins
    Cook Time 22 mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Bars
    Servings 16 bars
    Prevent your screen from going dark while you bake!

    Ingredients
      

    Cinnamon Bars:

    • 1 cup flour (all purpose)
    • 2 teaspoon cinnamon
    • pinch salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 1 cup brown sugar, packed
    • 1 egg, at room temperature
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Vanilla-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:

    • 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature
    • 5 tablespoon unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 1½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste (see note)
    • ¾ teaspoon cinnamon
    • 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

    Instructions
     

    For Bars:

    • Preheat oven to 350° F. Line an 8"x 8" pan with foil that overhangs the sides (so you can use as a handle to remove the bars later). Grease the foil and the pan. Set aside.
    • In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, cinnamon, and salt). Set aside.
    • In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix until thoroughly combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients and stir until just combined. Scrape mixture into the prepared pan.
    • Press the mixture evenly into the pan with damp fingertips. Bake 22 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely on a wire rack.

    For Frosting:

    • In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine cream cheese and butter. Beat until thoroughly combined and smooth.
    • Add vanilla bean paste (see note) and cinnamon. Mix to combine.
    • Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat until smooth. Pipe or spread frosting on top of cooled bars, adding sprinkles if you desire. The bars should be stored in the refrigerator. In an airtight container, the they'll keep for up to a week.
      Enjoy!

    Notes

    Note on vanilla bean paste: You know I can't help myself when it comes to vanilla bean paste! It has fantastic flavor, and leaves gorgeous flecks of vanilla in the frosting. <3 If you're looking to buy vanilla bean paste, you can find it [here]. If you prefer to substitute, just add vanilla extract instead.

    Nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is only an estimate.

    Tried this recipe?I'd love to hear all about it! Leave a review below, then snap a pic and tag me on Instagram!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

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    1. Rhonda

      July 19, 2022 at 10:18 am

      5 stars
      Love these flavors so much! It really is like the gooey center of a cinnamon roll.

      Reply
      • Amee

        July 20, 2022 at 2:00 pm

        Yes, the best part of a cinnamon roll! Thank you so much for your review, Rhonda!

        Reply
    2. Rita

      September 08, 2022 at 12:39 pm

      If you double the recipe what size pan should you use?

      Reply
      • Meredith

        October 08, 2022 at 11:20 am

        I was just wondering the same thing! Maybe a 9X13?

        Reply
        • Amee

          October 16, 2022 at 11:25 am

          Hi Meredith! Yes, a 9x13" would be the appropriate size. That said, I haven't tried this myself, so I can't give you an accurate bake time. The doubled recipe will definitely take at least a few minutes longer to bake through.

          Reply
          • Sarah D.

            October 30, 2022 at 9:59 pm

            5 stars
            I just made a 9x13 pan and it still took only 22 minutes at 350 🤤

            Reply
            • Amee

              November 18, 2022 at 8:57 am

              Thanks so much, Sarah--both for the info, and for your review! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!

      • Amee

        October 16, 2022 at 11:29 am

        Hi Rita! For a double recipe, use a 9"x13" pan. That said, I haven't done this myself, so I can't give you an accurate bake time. They will definitely take at least a few more minutes to bake through.

        Reply
    3. Marcy

      October 10, 2022 at 6:14 pm

      I was wondering the same thing if you double or triple what size pan?

      Reply
      • Betty

        October 16, 2022 at 9:40 am

        Is that plain or self rising flour

        Reply
        • Amee

          October 16, 2022 at 11:21 am

          Hi Betty! It's all-purpose flour!

          Reply
      • Amee

        October 16, 2022 at 11:23 am

        Hi Mary! If you double the recipe, you want to use a 9x13" pan. That said, I haven't tried it myself, so I can't give you a specific bake time. They will be at least a few minutes longer to bake through.

        Reply
    4. Melissa

      October 11, 2022 at 10:08 pm

      5 stars
      This is so over the top sweet, but so delicious!

      Reply
      • Amee

        October 16, 2022 at 11:22 am

        Definitely over the top, and so glad you enjoyed them! Thanks for much for your review, Melissa!

        Reply
    5. Schodnett33

      October 16, 2022 at 10:26 pm

      Could vanilla beans be substituted for the paste if the paste isn't available? I don't bake often enough to justify spending a lot of money on something I'm not going to use quickly.

      Reply
      • Amee

        October 17, 2022 at 7:31 am

        Absolutely! You can substitute with one vanilla bean, or with vanilla extract.

        Reply
    6. Angelica

      October 17, 2022 at 11:57 am

      5 stars
      You are not kidding around with these! Fantastic!

      Reply
      • Amee

        October 23, 2022 at 10:44 am

        Haha I never kid when it comes to dessert! Thanks so much for your review, Angelica!

        Reply
    7. Lucy

      October 23, 2022 at 4:09 pm

      Should these be refrigerated with the frosting?

      Reply
      • Amee

        October 24, 2022 at 6:59 am

        Hi Lucy! Yes, they need to be refrigerated. They'll keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Thanks for your comment--I'll add this detail to the recipe!

        Reply
    8. Tina

      October 24, 2022 at 10:06 am

      5 stars
      These are SO delicious! I used gluten-free flour as my family is gluten intolerant. One note, I had to bake a couple of minutes longer than recommended but we loved this recipe. Thank you for sharing. ☺️

      Reply
      • Amee

        November 18, 2022 at 8:59 am

        Thank you so much for your kind review, Tina! I'm so happy that you enjoyed the recipe, and I love knowing that they turned out with GF flour!

        Reply
    9. yellekim

      November 26, 2022 at 3:01 pm

      5 stars
      I bake a lot and these were one of the best recipes!!! I brought them to a friends house and everyone wanted the recipe!!

      Reply
      • Amee

        December 14, 2022 at 8:36 pm

        Oh my, so happy to hear! Thank you so much for your review!

        Reply

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