Hey y'all! If you love the gooey, cinnamon-swirled magic of classic cinnamon rolls but crave something a little quicker, these Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are about to be your new favorite treat. They're thick, chewy, and perfectly spiced, with a luscious cream cheese frosting that’s downright irresistible. Perfect for potlucks, brunch, or when you need a sweet pick-me-up, these bars bring all the comfort of cinnamon rolls—minus all the fuss. Let’s get cooking!
Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting Recipe
- All the flavor of cinnamon rolls in an easy, bar form—no yeast or rising required!
- Soft, chewy texture with rich cinnamon swirls and melty, decadent frosting.
- Ready in under an hour from start to finish, making them perfect for busy days.
- Perfect for sharing at gatherings, brunch parties, or as a cozy homemade dessert.
- Simple pantry-friendly ingredients with endless customization options.
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- ½ cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted (for swirl)
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed (for swirl)
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon (for swirl)
Cream Cheese Frosting Ingredients
- 4 oz (½ block) cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2–3 teaspoon milk (as needed for consistency)
Directions: How to Make Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray for easy removal.
Step 2: Make the Cinnamon Roll Bars Batter
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in vanilla and sour cream until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined. Do not over-mix.
- Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan.
Step 3: Swirl in the Cinnamon Mixture
- In a small bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon (for swirl). Drop spoonfuls over the batter and use a knife to swirl throughout for that classic cinnamon roll effect.
Step 4: Bake
- Bake for 22–26 minutes, or until bars are set and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
Step 5: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting
- Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
- Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Add milk, 1 teaspoon at a time, until you reach a spreadable consistency.
Step 6: Frost and Serve
- Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over cooled bars. Slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes for the Best Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- For extra gooey bars, slightly underbake by a minute or two—just be sure the center isn’t raw.
- Check out this guide to baking pans for how different pans can affect your bake.
- Be sure cream cheese and butter are truly softened for the smoothest frosting!
Variations on Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Maple Glaze: Swap frosting for a maple glaze by mixing 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoon maple syrup and 1 tablespoon milk.
- Nutty Delight: Sprinkle ½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts over the batter before baking.
- Apple Cinnamon Bars: Add ½ cup finely diced apples to the batter for a fruity twist.
Required Equipment for Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- 9x13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper or nonstick spray
- Mixing bowls (medium and large)
- Electric mixer or hand mixer
- Spatula and whisk
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wire rack for cooling
Storage Instructions for Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- For best texture, let bars come to room temperature before serving.
- You can freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost before serving.
Serving Recommendations for Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Pair with fresh berries or a fruit salad for a balanced brunch spread.
- Enjoy with a cup of hot coffee or chai latte for the ultimate cozy treat.
- Serve slightly warmed for an extra gooey, just-baked experience.
Pro Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Don’t overmix the batter—stop as soon as the flour disappears for tender bars.
- For sharp, bakery-style edges, cool completely before slicing with a bench scraper or sharp knife.
- Read up on why properly creaming butter and sugar matters for soft, fluffy bars.
FAQ: Cinnamon Roll Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Can I make these bars ahead of time?
- Absolutely! Bake and frost up to a day in advance, just keep them chilled until ready to serve.
- Can I use a different size pan?
- Yes, but adjust baking time. An 8x8 pan will make thicker bars—start checking at 28 minutes.
- How do I make this recipe gluten-free?
- Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend for all-purpose flour, but watch texture since results may vary slightly.
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 25 minutes
Total time: 40 minutes
Yield: 20 bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
Instructions
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1Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
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2In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
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3In a large bowl, mix melted butter and brown sugar until smooth. Add egg and vanilla extract, and mix until combined.
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4Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until just combined. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared pan.
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5Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely.
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6For the frosting, beat cream cheese until smooth. Add powdered sugar and milk, and mix until creamy. Spread over cooled bars, slice, and serve.
CLICK FOR NUTRITION INFO
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Approximate Information for One Serving
Serving Size:
1 serving
Calories:
220 caloriescal
Protein:
2gg
Fat:
9gg
Saturated Fat:
0g
Trans Fat:
0g
Cholesterol:
0mg
Sodium:
0mg
Potassium:
0mg
Total Carbs:
32gg
Fiber:
0g
Sugar:
0g
Net Carbs:
0g
Vitamin A:
0
Vitamin C:
0mg
Calcium:
0mg
Iron:
0mg
Nutrition Disclaimers
Number of total servings shown is approximate. Actual number of servings will depend on your preferred portion sizes.
Nutritional values shown are general guidelines and reflect information for 1 serving using the ingredients listed, not including any optional ingredients. Actual macros may vary slightly depending on specific brands and types of ingredients used.
To determine the weight of one serving, prepare the recipe as instructed. Weigh the finished recipe, then divide the weight of the finished recipe (not including the weight of the container the food is in) by the desired number of servings. Result will be the weight of one serving.
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