Table of Contents
These cinnamon roll inspired bars give you all the warm spice and creamy frosting without the long rise time. They use pantry staples and simple mixing so you can pull them together between errands or after work. The base is a tender cake like crumb, a ribbon of cinnamon sugar and a quick cream cheese glaze. For more fast dessert ideas check the desserts collection for inspiration. Ready in under an hour, they are ideal when you want cozy without fuss.
Quick Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars
Delicious cinnamon roll inspired bars with a tender crumb and a quick cream cheese glaze.
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 squares 1x
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp baking powder
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (cold and cubed)
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (melted)
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease an 8×8 inch baking pan.
- Whisk flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a bowl.
- Cut cold cubed butter into the dry mix until pea sized crumbs form.
- Stir in buttermilk and 2 teaspoons vanilla until just combined.
- Spread half the batter into the prepared pan, pressing evenly.
- Mix brown sugar and ground cinnamon in a small bowl, then stir in melted butter to form a paste.
- Dollop the cinnamon mixture over the batter and gently swirl with a butter knife.
- Spoon the remaining batter over the cinnamon layer and smooth the top lightly.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until a toothpick inserted comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Cool the bars in the pan for 10 minutes before glazing.
- Beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar, milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla and beat until glossy.
- Spread the frosting over warm bars and chill briefly until set, then cut into squares.
Notes
Use store-bought buttermilk or make a quick substitute with milk and vinegar. Chill butter if it softens too much while cutting. Refrigerate bars for easier slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 30mg