Cinnamon Roll Bars are a quick, delicious treat that captures the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with less effort and time. These bars have a soft, tender crumb with a sweet cinnamon sugar topping and a creamy vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting, making them perfect for any time you crave cinnamon rolls without the fuss.
You’ll love these bars because they bring together the classic cinnamon roll taste and texture in a convenient bar form, easier to make and serve. The brown sugar and melted butter give the base a rich, moist texture, while the cream cheese frosting adds a luxurious sweet finish with a hint of vanilla and cinnamon. They’re perfect for breakfast, dessert, or snacking any time.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Bars:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- Pinch of salt (2g)
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Vanilla-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1½ teaspoons vanilla bean paste
- ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with foil, letting it overhang on the sides so you can use it as a handle to remove the bars easily once baked. Grease both the foil and the pan lightly and set aside.
In a small bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients: all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla extract. Mix thoroughly until well blended.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet and stir just until combined. Do not overmix. Scrape the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
Use damp fingertips to press the batter evenly into the pan to create a smooth surface. Bake for 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Once baked, allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack.
To make the frosting, place the cream cheese and butter in the bowl of a stand mixer. Beat on medium speed until combined and smooth.
Add vanilla bean paste and cinnamon, mixing until incorporated.
Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar and beat on medium-high speed until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
Once bars are completely cooled, spread or pipe the frosting evenly over the top. If desired, add festive sprinkles.
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator, where they will keep fresh for up to one week.
My Best Tips for Success
-
Use room temperature cream cheese and butter for smooth frosting.
-
Don’t overmix the batter to keep bars tender.
-
Press the batter firmly and evenly into the pan to ensure uniform baking.
-
Cool bars fully before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
-
Use vanilla bean paste for a richer, more intense flavor than extract.
-
Refrigerate bars after frosting to set and enhance flavor melding.
Delicious Variations to Try
-
Add chopped nuts or raisins to the batter for texture.
-
Swirl softened caramel or chocolate sauce into the batter before baking.
-
Substitute brown sugar with coconut sugar for a subtle variation.
-
Flavor frosting with maple syrup or cinnamon-spiced honey.
-
Top with chopped apple slices before baking for a fruity twist.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will these cinnamon roll bars keep?
Stored in an airtight container in the fridge, they last up to one week.
Can I freeze cinnamon roll bars?
Yes, wrap tightly and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw before frosting.
Can I make the bars gluten-free?
Yes, substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blends.
What pan size is best?
An 8×8-inch pan works best for thick bars; you can adjust baking time for other sizes.
Can I make frosting without a stand mixer?
You can use a hand mixer or whisk, but it may take longer to achieve smooth texture.
Print
Cinnamon Roll Bars
- Total Time: 37 minutes
- Yield: 12 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, moist bars with warm brown sugar and cinnamon flavors, topped with creamy vanilla-cinnamon cream cheese frosting. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or anytime cinnamon cravings strike.
Ingredients
Cinnamon Bars
1 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp ground cinnamon
Pinch of salt (about 2 g)
½ cup unsalted butter, melted
1 cup packed brown sugar
1 large egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
Vanilla-Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting
8 oz cream cheese, room temperature
5 tbsp unsalted butter, room temperature
1½ tsp vanilla bean paste
¾ tsp ground cinnamon
2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
Instructions
-
Prep pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8‑inch baking pan with foil, leaving overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease foil and pan.
-
Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
-
Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and fully blended.
-
Make batter: Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Stir just until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan using a spatula or damp fingertips.
-
Bake: Bake 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
-
Make frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla bean paste and cinnamon. Gradually mix in powdered sugar, beating until light and fluffy.
-
Assemble: Spread or pipe frosting evenly over cooled bars. Add sprinkles if desired. Chill briefly to set.
Notes
Use room-temperature cream cheese and butter for smooth frosting.
Avoid overmixing batter for tender bars.
Press batter evenly for consistent thickness and baking.
Cool bars fully before frosting to prevent melting.
Store chilled for best freshness and texture.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (1/12 recipe)
- Calories: 265
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 95 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg
Keywords: cinnamon roll bars, cream cheese frosted bars, cinnamon dessert squares, easy cinnamon roll recipe, soft breakfast bars
