These Snickerdoodle Bars have two homemade layers with a cinnamon sugar layer in between. They taste like your favorite snickerdoodle cookies in bar form! Finish them off with a simple glaze for that extra touch.
After you’ve tried these Snickerdoodle Bars, make sure you try this Cinnamon Roll Sheet Cake. It’s also super easy and perfect for cinnamon lovers!
Snickerdoodles are one of my favorite cookies. So it’s only natural that I’d gravitate towards these Snickerdoodle Bars. All the goodness of snickerdoodles, but no rolling cookies. (I don’t know why I don’t make bars more often – they sure are easier!!)
And not one crazy ingredient to be found in this recipe. I’m betting that the majority of you could go into your kitchen right now and be able to make these. Dangerous, yes – but it is a good thing for when those cinnamon cravings hit!!
What You’ll Need
My favorite thing about these cookie bars is that I keep all of the ingredients on hand. So these are easy to whip up on a moment’s notice!
Here’s what you’ll need:
- All-purpose flour – I use unbleached flour, but I’m sure whatever all-purpose flour you have on hand will work.
- Baking Powder – to help with the rise.
- Cinnamon – I actually added this in from the version I originally made because I felt like they needed an even bigger cinnamon punch.
- Salt – to bring out all of the other flavors.
- Cream of Tartar – Have you ever wondered why snickerdoodles have cream of tartar in them? The cream of tartar gives them some of their flavor, but it also helps to keep the bars (or cookies) chewy, so it helps with the texture as well. The original version of these bars that I made did not have the cream of tartar in them, so you could leave it out if you don’t have it, but I do like them better with it.
- Butter – I use unsalted butter. If you use salted butter, just cut back on the amount of salt a little bit.
- Granulated Sugar and Brown Sugar – In cookies, I really like the mixture of white and brown sugar, and it is the same for these cookie bars.
- Eggs – I use large eggs. Bring them to room temperature before making the dough for the best results.
- Vanilla – for a little bit of extra flavor
- Cinnamon Sugar – this mixture makes a layer in the center of these bars for that traditional snickerdoodle flavor.
- Powdered sugar, milk and vanilla – these ingredients make up the glaze. It’s a super simple glaze that adds a great addition of flavor.
Tips for these Snickerdoodle Bars
These snickerdoodle bars are really simple, but here are a few tips to keep in mind:
- For best results, start with all of your ingredients at room temperature.
- For thicker bars, you can bake these in a 9×9 inch pan instead of 9×13. You’ll want to add a little bit more time for baking.
- The dough is thick. Spreading that first layer can be a little tricky. I like to get my fingertips wet and use them to press the dough out.
- You will know the bars are done when the edges have browned and the center doesn’t look shiny anymore. They may still look like they are not completely done in the center, but they will continue to bake as they cool.
- Make sure the bars are completely cool before adding the glaze or it will soak into the bars.
- Store the bars covered at room temperature.
More Snickerdoodle Recipes
Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars
Snickerdoodle Pie
My Favorite Snickerdoodles
Snickerdoodle Muffins
Snickerdoodle Bars
Ingredients
Bars:
- 2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter at room temperature
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Cinnamon Filling:
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
Glaze:
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 to 2 teaspoons milk
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
- In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, salt and cream of tartar.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy. Gradually beat in the eggs, one at a time, scraping the sides of the bowl as needed. Beat in the vanilla.
- Add in the dry ingredients and beat on low until combined.
- Make the cinnamon filling by combining the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl.
- Spoon half of the batter into the prepared pan. The batter will be pretty thick - use your hands if needed to spread the batter evenly in the pan. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar filling mixture evenly over the batter. Drop teaspoon sized amounts of the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. Cool completely.
- In a small bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of the milk and the vanilla. Whisk, and add more milk if needed to make a drizzling consistency.
- Drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars.
- Cut and serve.
Paden B says
I made these and they turned out a little cakey and not gooey. I think I’ll make them again and change the ratio of brown sugar to white sugar and use less baking powder. Any other ideas on what could have caused it? They tasted fantastic, I just want to change the texture!
Deborah says
Hi Paden, I would maybe try shortening the baking time just a bit, as well. They should still be a little soft in the center when they come out of the oven. I’m glad you enjoyed the flavor!
susan says
Super yummy made with organic frontier Vietnamese cinnamon — divine. Thank you.
vanillasugarblog says
now this is how snickerdoodles should be done.
no more cookies, just these!
Melissa Klotz says
Oh wow. Just wow. These look so gooey and warm and filled with cinnamony sugary deliciousness. Must try!! I’m pinning it for later!!
Patti Davis says
I think you just gave me the winning recipe for our Snack Bracket on Super Bowl Sunday. Thankyouverymuch!
Tanya says
Isn’t that always the way, needing one more ingredient? I almost prefer bars to cookies! These look loaded with goodness! Thanks for sharing at One Creative Weekend!
Loretta | A Finn In The Kitchen says
I love that there’s a little layering going on with these bars! I’m not the type to venture out for one ingredient with kid in tow, so I make do or do something else all the time!
You can’t go wrong with recipes that only use the basics!
Terra says
Congrats on baby #3!!!! It does sound challenging if home all day like that:-) We have something in common, I to feel that snickerdoodles are pretty fantastic!! Your bars looks really delicious:-) Hugs, Terra
a farmer in the dell says
I haven’t had a snickerdoodle in far too long. These bars are screaming my name!
Kristen says
I love the drizzle of goodness on these bars. I can’t believe how big sweet baby boy is getting 🙁 He needs to stop growing so fast!
Ruthie says
Thanks so much for sharing this amazing recipe at my Show & Tell party today! I can’t wait to try it this week. I home you will come back again next week 🙂 xoxo~ Ruthie
Ashley @ Kitchen Meets Girl says
My husband’s all-time fave cookie is the snickerdoodle but I’ve never made them in bar form. I’m giving these a try asap–my hubby thanks you. 🙂 Thank you so much for linking up at What’s In Your Kitchen Wednesday.