Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars combine the comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls with the ease of bar cookies. These soft, swirled bars are topped with a simple vanilla glaze, making them a delicious treat perfect for breakfast or snacking.

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. You can spray the pan lightly to keep the parchment in place if desired.
2. Step 2: In a medium bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and ¼ cup light brown sugar until smooth and fluffy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until combined, scraping down the bowl as needed.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1½ cups flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, ½ teaspoon cinnamon, and salt.
5. Step 5: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3 to 4 portions, mixing after each addition until just combined. Scrape down the bowl to ensure everything is mixed evenly.
6. Step 6: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. For easier handling, you can use a piece of parchment paper to press the dough flat and avoid sticky hands.
7. Step 7: To make the cinnamon filling, combine the melted butter, ½ cup light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and ¼ cup flour in a small to medium bowl. Mix until fully combined.
8. Step 8: Spoon the cinnamon filling over the pressed cookie dough. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the filling into the dough for a marbled effect.
9. Step 9: Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center has set. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
10. Step 10: For the icing, whisk together powdered sugar, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon heavy cream in a small bowl. Add more cream as needed to reach the desired drizzling consistency.
11. Step 11: Once the cookie bars are fully cooled, drizzle the icing evenly over the top. Let the icing set briefly before slicing into bars and serving.

Tips & Variations

• For a richer flavor, swap some all-purpose flour with whole wheat pastry flour.
• Add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the cinnamon filling for extra texture.
• If you like your bars sweeter, sprinkle a bit of coarse sugar on top before baking for a crunchy finish.
• Use half-and-half instead of heavy cream in the icing for a lighter glaze.

Storage

Store the cinnamon roll cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven before serving to restore softness.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit additional salt in the recipe to avoid making the bars too salty.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should be golden brown and the center set but still soft. A toothpick inserted near the center will come out with a few moist crumbs but no raw dough.

Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

5 from 65 reviews

Delight in these Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars that combine the soft, buttery richness of cookie dough with a sweet cinnamon swirl and a smooth vanilla glaze. Perfect for a cozy treat, these bars offer the flavors of classic cinnamon rolls in an easy-to-make, sliceable form.

• Author: Kai
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
• ½ cup granulated sugar
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon cream of tartar
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon salt

Cinnamon Filling

• ¼ cup unsalted butter (melted)
• ½ cup light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ cup all-purpose flour

Icing

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for baking your cookie bars.
2. Prepare Pan: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Spray the pan lightly if you want the parchment to stay in place.
3. Make Cookie Dough: In a medium mixing bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to cream the softened butter with granulated sugar and light brown sugar until smooth. Then, add the egg and vanilla extract and beat until thoroughly combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
5. Combine Dry and Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three to four additions, mixing until just combined and scraping down the bowl to ensure everything is incorporated.
6. Press Dough: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Using a parchment sheet to press down the dough can help with less mess.
7. Make Cinnamon Filling: In a small to medium bowl, combine the melted butter, light brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. Mix until thoroughly combined.
8. Add Cinnamon Filling: Spoon the cinnamon filling over the pressed cookie dough, then use a knife to gently swirl the cinnamon filling into the dough for a marbled effect.
9. Bake: Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and the center is set.
10. Prepare Icing: While the bars cool, combine powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon of heavy cream in a small mixing bowl. Mix well and add more cream as necessary to reach your desired icing consistency.
11. Decorate: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan, then drizzle the icing evenly over the top before slicing and serving.

Notes

• Using parchment paper ensures easy removal of the bars from the pan.
• You can adjust the icing thickness by adding more or less heavy cream.
• For a stronger cinnamon flavor, increase the cinnamon in the filling slightly.
• Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• These bars can be served warm or at room temperature for best flavor.

Keywords: Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars, Cinnamon Swirl Cookies, Baked Cinnamon Bars, Dessert Bars, Cinnamon Roll Dessert