If you have a sweet tooth and love the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls but want something easier to make and share, the Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars Recipe is an absolute game-changer. These bars bring together the perfect balance of tender, buttery cake infused with cinnamon spice and topped with a smooth, sweet glaze that mimics your favorite cinnamon roll frosting. They’re quick to whip up, cut into perfect squares for sharing, and deliver pure bliss in every bite. Whether it’s a casual brunch, a family gathering, or just a cozy afternoon treat, these bars will steal the show and leave everyone asking for more.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple ingredients come together to create a delightful burst of cinnamon and buttery goodness in every bar. Each element plays its part, from the all-purpose flour providing structure, to the cinnamon bringing that signature spice, and the buttery richness that makes these bars truly indulgent.
- All-Purpose Flour: 2 cups for a tender yet sturdy base that holds all the flavors beautifully.
- Granulated Sugar: 1 cup to add just the right amount of sweetness without overpowering.
- Baking Powder: 1 teaspoon to give the bars a gentle lift and light texture.
- Ground Cinnamon: 1 tablespoon offers that warm, cozy spice that defines this recipe.
- Salt: ½ teaspoon to enhance all the flavors and balance the sweetness.
- Unsalted Butter: ½ cup (1 stick), melted, for rich moistness and a buttery depth.
- Eggs: 2 large to bind everything together and add a lovely richness.
- Vanilla Extract: 1 teaspoon to bring out the sweetness and add a fragrant note.
- Powdered Sugar: 1 cup for the glaze, creating that smooth, sweet topping.
- Milk: 2 tablespoons to thin out the glaze to perfect drizzling consistency.
- Vanilla Extract: ½ teaspoon for the glaze to add extra flavor complexity.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and greasing a 9×13-inch baking dish. This ensures your bars won’t stick and come out as beautifully golden and easy to cut as possible.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt until everything is evenly mixed. This step is crucial because it ensures that the cinnamon and leavening agents are well distributed, resulting in consistent flavor and texture throughout your bars.
Step 3: Incorporate the Butter
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and let it cool slightly before adding it to your dry ingredients. Adding melted butter moistens the batter and infuses it with buttery richness. Allowing it to cool a bit prevents the eggs from cooking when mixed in the next step.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla
Mix in the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, stirring just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix here; you want the batter smooth but not dense, to keep your bars tender and light.
Step 5: Spread the Batter in the Pan
Pour the batter into your greased baking dish and spread it out evenly. This creates an even surface for the cinnamon swirl topping and promotes uniform baking to golden perfection.
Step 6: Prepare and Add the Cinnamon Swirl Topping
Mix melted butter with sugar and cinnamon until crumbly and then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter. This topping bakes into a delicious cinnamon-sugar crust that gives these bars their signature texture and sweetness.
Step 7: Bake Until Golden
Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the bars turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Resist the temptation to overbake to keep the bars moist and soft inside with that irresistible crumbly crust on top.
Step 8: Cool and Frost
Once baked, let the bars cool completely before frosting with a simple glaze made from powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. This glaze adds that luscious cream cheese-inspired finish reminiscent of your favorite cinnamon roll, tying everything together beautifully.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra special touch, sprinkle a little extra ground cinnamon or a pinch of nutmeg on top of the glaze. You could also scatter chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunch contrast. These garnishes aren’t just decorative; they elevate each bite both in flavor and visual appeal.
Side Dishes
These bliss bars are marvelous on their own, but pairing them with a hot cup of coffee, spiced chai tea, or warm apple cider makes the experience even more comforting and satisfying. A dollop of whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side turns this simple treat into a decadent dessert.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn serving into a fun event by arranging the Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars on a tiered dessert stand or decorative platter for a brunch or party spread. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and serve on small plates with a side of fresh berries for a fresh twist that balances the sweetness.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your leftover bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigeration if you want them to last a bit longer. This helps maintain their moist texture and keeps the glaze from melting away.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully! Wrap individual pieces tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag or container. Freeze for up to 2 months. When ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight for a soft, delicious treat any time.
Reheating
For the best taste, reheat gently in the microwave for about 15-20 seconds or in a warm oven (about 300°F) for 5-7 minutes. This warms them through without drying them out, bringing back that freshly baked feel.
FAQs
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with an equal amount of your favorite gluten-free flour blend. Just be aware that the texture might be slightly different but still delicious and satisfying.
Do I have to use butter, or can I use oil instead?
While butter gives these bars their signature flavor and richness, you can substitute with an equal amount of vegetable oil. The texture will be moist but with a less buttery taste.
Can I add nuts or raisins to the batter?
Definitely! Adding chopped nuts like walnuts or pecans or plump raisins can add extra texture and flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully. Fold them in gently before pouring the batter into the pan.
Is it necessary to use the glaze?
The glaze takes these bars to the next level, but if you’re short on time, you can enjoy them plain or dusted lightly with powdered sugar. However, the glaze offers that signature cinnamon roll sweetness that makes these bars so special.
How do I ensure the cinnamon swirl topping doesn’t sink?
Make sure your batter is thick enough before adding the topping, and sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar crumble evenly over the surface. It naturally bakes into a crunchy layer on top without sinking.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a warm, comforting dessert that’s easy to make and will delight anyone lucky enough to try it, the Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars Recipe should be at the top of your list. It perfectly captures the familiar, cozy flavors of cinnamon rolls in a fun, shareable bar form. Trust me, once you make and taste these, they’ll become your new go-to treat for any occasion. So go ahead, dive into this blissful baking adventure!
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Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Total Time: 40-45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars combine the warm, comforting flavors of classic cinnamon rolls into an easy-to-make bar dessert. Featuring a soft, cinnamon-spiced base topped with a buttery cinnamon swirl and a sweet vanilla glaze, these bars are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful snack.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and salt until they are evenly mixed.
- Melt Butter: Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and let it cool slightly to avoid cooking the eggs when added.
- Mix Wet Ingredients with Dry: Add the melted butter to the dry ingredients, then mix in eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, stirring just until combined to form the batter.
- Spread Batter: Pour the batter into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly for an even bake.
- Create Cinnamon Swirl Topping: Mix melted butter with sugar and cinnamon until the mixture becomes crumbly, then sprinkle this evenly over the batter to create a cinnamon-swirled topping.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Glaze: Allow the bars to cool completely before drizzling the glaze made by mixing powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract over the top.
Notes
- Ensure the butter for the topping is melted but not hot to create a crumbly texture when mixed with sugar and cinnamon.
- For a richer taste, consider adding a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the batter.
- The glaze can be adjusted in thickness by adding more milk for a thinner drizzle or more powdered sugar for a thicker frosting.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Reheat bars gently in the microwave for a few seconds to enjoy warm.
