Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (can substitute with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup whole milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free option)
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted (coconut oil works too)
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar (light or dark, depending on your preference)
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for the cinnamon swirl)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (for the glaze)
- 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened (optional, for a tangy glaze)
- 2–3 tablespoons milk (to thin the glaze as needed)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. I always keep parchment handy because it makes pulling these bars out a breeze—plus, less scrubbing later!
- In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined. This dry mix is the base of your batter, so make sure it’s well mixed.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg with the milk and vanilla extract. Then stir in the melted butter until everything is smooth and glossy. I like to use a fork or small whisk—no need for fancy gadgets here.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and gently fold them together using a spatula. Mix just until no dry streaks remain. Overmixing can make these bars tough, and we want soft, tender bliss.
- Spread half of the batter evenly into your prepared pan. It will be a bit thick and sticky, so don’t stress if it’s not perfectly smooth—that’s part of the homemade charm.
- In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, cinnamon, and softened butter until it forms a crumbly, cinnamon-sweet paste. This is the heart of your cinnamon roll flavor, and trust me, it’s worth every spoonful.
- Drop spoonfuls of the cinnamon mixture evenly over the batter in the pan. Then dollop the remaining batter over the top. Using a butter knife or skewer, gently swirl the two layers together to create that classic cinnamon roll marbled effect. Don’t over-swirling—just enough to see the pretty pattern.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges turn golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The smell alone will have your kitchen smelling like a dream.
- While the bars cool slightly, whisk together the powdered sugar, cream cheese (if using), and milk until smooth to make the glaze. Adjust the milk to get your desired consistency—thicker if you want drizzle, thinner if you prefer to spread it.
- Once the bars are cool but still slightly warm, drizzle the glaze all over. The warmth helps it melt into all those cinnamon swirls, creating a sticky, sweet finish that’s impossible to resist.
- Cut into squares and serve warm or at room temperature. My kids love them right out of the oven with a glass of milk, and I’m not complaining either.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
Keywords: Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars, recipe, cooking, food
