Description

Delightfully soft and chewy Snickerdoodle Bars with a buttery cinnamon sugar topping, perfect for those who love the classic snickerdoodle cookie in an easy-to-slice bar form. These bars offer the perfect combination of cinnamon spice and sweet, tender crumb, baked to golden perfection in a simple 8×8 inch pan.

Ingredients

Scale

Dry Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon, divided

Wet Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, melted
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, plus 2 tablespoons for topping
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars once baked.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon by whisking thoroughly to ensure even distribution of the leavening and spices.
Combine Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, blend the melted unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until the mixture is smooth. Beat in the eggs one at a time to incorporate air and then stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry flour mixture into the wet ingredients until just combined, taking care not to overmix which can lead to tough bars. Spread the thick batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Prepare Cinnamon Sugar: Mix together the remaining 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Evenly sprinkle this cinnamon sugar mixture over the spread batter to create a classic snickerdoodle topping.
Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking to maintain a soft and chewy texture.
Cool and Serve: Remove the pan from the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into squares or rectangles for serving.

Notes

Line the baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of bars without sticking.
Do not overbake to keep the bars soft and chewy rather than dry and hard.
For stronger cinnamon flavor, you can sprinkle a bit more cinnamon sugar before serving.
Store bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness for up to 3 days.
Optional: Serve with a dollop of whipped cream or ice cream for a decadent treat.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Snickerdoodle bars, cinnamon sugar bars, easy dessert bars, soft snickerdoodle, baked bars recipe