Thanksgiving! It's soon! Do all the things!! Today I made a list of all the food I'm making. Then I made a grocery list. Then I made myself a schedule to reference the day of so that I know when I need to prep and cook everything. Overthinking things? Yes. Unnecessary? Very likely. I make a lot of 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!
I was just going to call these babies "cinnamon bars," but they reminded me too much of my Mom's cinnamon rolls! These Cinnamon Roll Bars are chewy, super cinnamony (it's a word), and slathered in vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting.
This recipe requires no special equipment--not even a mixer! The only "special" ingredient is a bit of vanilla bean paste in the frosting. 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.
So when I said these bars are "slathered" in frosting, I meant it. It's pretty much a 1:1 ratio. Don't question it, just enjoy. It's Thanksgiving and stretchy pants are a must.
So, while you're running around doing all the things, remember that dessert doesn't have to be time-consuming to be incredible! 🙂
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Recipe adapted from Buns in My Oven (link here).

Cinnamon Roll Bars
Ingredients
Cinnamon Bars:
- 1 cup flour
- 2 teaspoon cinnamon
- pinch salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg
- 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.Enjoy!
Rhonda
Love these flavors so much! It really is like the gooey center of a cinnamon roll.
Amee
Yes, the best part of a cinnamon roll! Thank you so much for your review, Rhonda!