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
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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.
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Mix dry ingredients: In a bowl, whisk flour, cinnamon, and salt. Set aside.
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Combine wet ingredients: In a large bowl, mix melted butter, brown sugar, egg, and vanilla until smooth and fully blended.
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Make batter: Add dry ingredients to wet mixture. Stir just until combined. Spread evenly in prepared pan using a spatula or damp fingertips.
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Bake: Bake 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
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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.
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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