Name: Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 32 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup all-purpose flour; 2 tsp cinnamon; Pinch of salt; ½ cup unsalted butter, melted; 1 cup packed brown sugar; 1 egg, at room temperature; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 8 oz cream cheese, at room temperature; 5 Tbsp unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1½ tsp vanilla bean paste (see note); ¾ tsp cinnamon; 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

I absolutely adore sharing this Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe with you because it takes all the delicious flavor and comforting warmth of a classic cinnamon roll and transforms it into an easy-to-make, sliceable bar. Whenever I’m craving that perfect balance of sweet cinnamon and creamy frosting but want something a bit simpler to grab and enjoy without the effort of individual rolls, this recipe is my go-to. It’s like having a batch of cinnamon rolls ready to indulge anytime, without the fuss, and I can’t wait for you to try it too!

Why You'll Love This Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe

What really makes this Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe stand out for me is that perfect harmony of flavors you get in every bite. The tender, buttery base is infused with just the right amount of warm cinnamon and brown sugar, which reminds me of those cozy mornings curled up with a cup of coffee. Then, topping it all off with the luscious cream cheese frosting that has that subtle hint of vanilla bean paste is honestly like the cherry on top—it elevates this bar to something special.

One of the things I appreciate most is how straightforward this recipe is. Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls that require time-consuming rolling, proofing, and shaping, these bars come together quickly and bake in under half an hour. I find it so satisfying to whip up the batter, let it bake, and then spread on the frosting while they cool. It’s a stress-free way to satisfy a sweet tooth while still feeling a little fancy.

These bars are incredibly versatile in terms of occasions. I love serving them for brunches, afternoon tea parties, or even as an easy dessert to bring to holiday gatherings. They hold their shape beautifully, which makes them perfect for potlucks and sharing with friends. Honestly, once you make these bars, you’ll want to keep them on hand for any time you want to impress without hours of work!

Ingredients You'll Need

The image shows a square brown cake layer with a light, slightly rough texture resting on a copper wire cooling rack. On top of the layer, in the middle, there is a dollop of light beige whipped cream that looks soft and fluffy. Around the rack, on a white marbled surface, there are a few cinnamon sticks to the top right corner and a stack of white plates in the top left corner. At the bottom right, there is a white bowl filled with colorful round and small sprinkles in shades of pink, yellow, and orange. A metal spatula with a wooden handle lies on the left side of the rack. A red and brown plaid cloth is placed near the bowl. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

The ingredients for this Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe are simple but carefully chosen to create an ideal balance of flavor and texture. Each one plays a key role, from the soft flour base to the creamy, dreamy frosting.

TIP : You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below

All-purpose flour: Provides structure and tenderness to the bars without weighing them down.
Cinnamon: The star spice that delivers that signature cinnamon roll warmth and aroma.
Salt: Just a pinch to enhance the flavors and balance the sweetness.
Unsalted butter (melted and room temperature): Adds a rich, buttery flavor that makes the bars soft and moist.
Brown sugar (packed): Gives a deep, caramel-like sweetness that pairs perfectly with cinnamon.
Egg: Helps bind everything together and gives the bars a tender crumb.
Vanilla extract and vanilla bean paste: Adds a lovely aromatic depth to both the batter and frosting.
Cream cheese: The creamy base for the frosting that balances sweetness with a tangy richness.
Powdered sugar (sifted): Creates a smooth and sweet frosting that melts into each bite.

Directions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350° F. Line an 8"x8" baking pan with foil, leaving plenty of overhang on the sides to make lifting the bars out easy later. Don’t forget to grease both the foil and the pan well to prevent sticking.

Step 2: In a small bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cinnamon, and salt. This dry blend is what will give your bars that classic cozy cinnamon roll flavor throughout.

Step 3: In a large bowl, combine the melted unsalted butter, packed brown sugar, room temperature egg, and vanilla extract. Mix everything thoroughly until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy—this helps ensure the bars stay moist.

Step 4: Gradually fold in the dry ingredients from Step 2, stirring just until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix because we want to keep those bars tender and soft.

Step 5: Pour the batter into your prepared pan and press it evenly into every corner using damp fingertips—this prevents sticking and distributes the mixture smoothly.

Step 6: Bake for about 22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. When they’re done, move the pan to a wire rack and let the bars cool completely. Cooling is key so the frosting can stay creamy without melting off.

Step 7: While the bars are cooling, make the frosting by combining the cream cheese and room temperature butter in the bowl of your stand mixer. Beat them together until super smooth and creamy.

Step 8: Add the vanilla bean paste and cinnamon to your frosting mixture, beating again until fully incorporated. This extra vanilla flavoring really makes the frosting pop.

Step 9: Slowly add the sifted powdered sugar, beating continuously until your frosting is perfectly smooth and fluffy, ready to spread.

Step 10: Once the bars are totally cooled, spread or pipe the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top. You can sprinkle some cinnamon or even colorful sprinkles for extra fun. Refrigerate the finished bars in an airtight container; they keep wonderfully for up to a week.

Servings and Timing

This recipe yields approximately 16 generous servings, making it perfect for sharing or satisfying a crowd. Prep time is just about 10 minutes to pull all your ingredients together and mix the batter. Baking takes roughly 22 minutes, followed by a cooldown period of about 15 minutes before you frost the bars. All told, you’re looking at about a 37-minute total commitment for a stunning cinnamon treat. The frosting step adds a few extra minutes but is totally worth it to achieve that classic cinnamon roll flavor in bar form.

How to Serve This Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe

A square cake with a light beige frosting covering the top, spread with swirled textures creating soft waves. On top of the frosting, there is a colorful mix of small round and elongated sprinkles in pink, purple, gold, and rusty orange scattered evenly. The cake is placed on a copper wire cooling rack over a white marbled surface. To the left of the cake is a metal spatula with a wooden handle resting on the rack. At the bottom right, there is a small white bowl filled with matching sprinkles. Cinnamon sticks and folded white plates are placed in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

When I serve these Cinnamon Roll Bars, I love to warm them up slightly for that fresh-from-the-oven experience—just 10 seconds in the microwave is perfect to revive that tender texture and give the frosting a lovely softness. They’re fantastic on their own as a sweet breakfast treat or mid-afternoon snack, but I often pair them with a cup of chai tea or freshly brewed coffee to complement the warm spices.

For special occasions or get-togethers, I like to plate these bars with a dollop of whipped cream or even a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a decadent dessert. Garnishing the top with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon, a few toasted pecans, or a drizzle of caramel sauce adds an elegant touch that guests always appreciate. Serving them chilled is also nice if you enjoy a firmer bar texture and a more refreshing bite, especially during warmer months.

This recipe shines at brunches, holiday breakfasts, or as an easy, shareable dessert at parties and family dinners. I recommend cutting them into small squares to make them easy to serve and to give everyone a little taste of cinnamon roll heaven in every bite. With the creamy frosting on top, these bars truly stand out on any dessert table.

Variations

I love experimenting with this Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe to fit different tastes and dietary needs. For example, if you want to make it gluten-free, swapping the all-purpose flour for a high-quality gluten-free flour blend works beautifully without sacrificing texture. For a vegan twist, I’ve successfully replaced the butter with plant-based alternatives and used vegan cream cheese for the frosting—just keep in mind it may be slightly less rich.

If you’re looking to change up the flavors, adding chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts to the batter gives a lovely crunch and nutty contrast. Swirling in some apple puree or diced apples into the batter before baking can give the bars a fresh, fruity note that complements the cinnamon. Another fun variation is using maple syrup instead of brown sugar to add a deeper, earthier sweetness.

For a quicker prep method, I have sometimes made the bars in a slightly larger pan if I need thinner bars that bake faster—just keep an eye on the baking time. Or you can try double layering with an extra sprinkle of cinnamon sugar in the middle for a gooier, more cinnamon-packed bite. This recipe is incredibly adaptable, which is why it remains one of my favorite recipes to customize and share.

Storage and Reheating

Storing Leftovers

Leftover cinnamon roll bars store really well in the refrigerator. I always place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap to keep the frosting moist and prevent the bars from drying out. Stored this way, they stay fresh for up to a week, which is perfect for enjoying a few at a time without losing any quality.

Freezing

If you want to make these bars ahead of time, freezing is a great option. I like to cut the bars into individual squares before freezing, then wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This helps prevent freezer burn and keeps them tasting fresh. The bars can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy, just thaw them overnight in the fridge and then bring back to room temperature or warm gently.

Reheating

To reheat the bars, I recommend warming them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds if thawed or a bit longer if frozen, just enough to soften the cream cheese frosting and restore that fresh-baked softness. Avoid reheating for too long as the frosting can melt and the bars might dry out. Alternatively, reheating briefly in an oven at 300° F for about 5 minutes also works nicely to maintain a slightly crusty edge and warm interior.

FAQs

Can I use store-bought cinnamon roll filling instead of cinnamon and sugar?

While this recipe is designed to use ground cinnamon mixed directly into the batter for that evenly dispersed flavor, you could experiment with swirls of cinnamon roll filling. However, keep in mind this might change the texture and baking time. The dry cinnamon and sugar here create the classic flavor with a nice tender crumb.

Is it possible to make these bars dairy-free?

Yes! For dairy-free versions, swap the butter for vegan butter alternatives and use dairy-free cream cheese for the frosting. Make sure the substitutes are suited for baking and mixing. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious.

Can I prepare the bars ahead and frost them later?

Absolutely. You can bake the bars, let them cool, then wrap and refrigerate them unfrosted for up to 2 days. When you’re ready to serve, spread the cream cheese frosting freshly made for the best texture and flavor.

What if I don’t have vanilla bean paste? Can I use vanilla extract?

Definitely! Vanilla extract works just fine here—in fact, the recipe already includes vanilla in the batter as well. The vanilla bean paste just adds a bit more intense vanilla flavor and those pretty specks, but it’s not essential.

How can I make these bars more festive for holidays?

For holiday fun, I love adding holiday-themed sprinkles on top of the frosting or dusting the bars with a little extra cinnamon sugar before serving. You could also mix in chopped dried cranberries or nuts to the batter, or drizzle white chocolate over the cooled bars for a festive look and extra indulgence.

Conclusion

I truly hope you enjoy making and savoring this Cinnamon Roll Bars Recipe as much as I do. It’s a wonderful way to bring that comforting cinnamon roll flavor into a quick and easy treat that’s perfect for any occasion. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or simply treating yourself, these bars deliver warmth, sweetness, and that special homemade feel every time. Give them a try—you might just find a new favorite in your recipe box!