Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars are the ultimate shortcut to achieving all the comforting, gooey goodness of classic cinnamon rolls in a perfectly portioned, easy-to-share bar format, making them a weeknight dessert dream. This recipe delivers pure, unadulterated joy without the fuss of rolling and shaping, offering a truly satisfying treat.
Key Ingredients for Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars:
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup milk
For the Cinnamon Sugar Filling:
- ¾ cup packed light brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, melted
For the Cream Cheese Glaze:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (½ stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
How to Make Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars:
Whipping up these Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars is a delightful journey into sweet simplicity. In under an hour, you’ll transform basic pantry staples into a dessert that rivals your favorite bakery, boasting a moist crumb, a swirl of fragrant cinnamon sugar, and a luscious cream cheese frosting. The ease of assembly makes them perfect for busy days and spontaneous cravings.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
Preheat and Prepare Your Pan: Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later. This ensures your bliss bars won’t stick and come out beautifully.
Whisk Together Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.
Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. This step incorporates air, which will contribute to the bars’ tender texture.
Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.
Alternate Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough bars. You should have a thick batter.
Prepare the Cinnamon Sugar Filling: In a small bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until it forms a paste-like consistency.
Assemble the Swirl: Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Dollop spoonfuls of the cinnamon sugar filling over the batter. Then, spread the remaining one-third of the batter over the filling, trying to cover as much of it as possible. You can gently swirl the batter with a knife or skewer for a more pronounced swirl effect, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect – rustic is beautiful!
Bake to Golden Perfection: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown. Watch closely to prevent overbaking, which can dry out the bars.
Cool and Prepare the Glaze: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. While they cool, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until well combined and smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and the vanilla extract, beating until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Add another tablespoon of milk if needed to thin it out.
Glaze and Serve: Once the bars are completely cooled, generously drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before cutting the bars into squares and serving.
Why You’ll Love This Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars:
You’ll adore these Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars because they capture the heart and soul of warm, decadent cinnamon rolls without any of the rolling and fuss. The incredibly moist, tender bars boast a perfect swirl of cinnamon sugar that melts in your mouth, creating a delightful contrast with the rich, tangy cream cheese glaze. It’s like enjoying the best part of a cinnamon roll from the very first bite, and at a fraction of the cost of bakery-bought versions.
These bars are more than just a dessert; they’re a hug in bar form. Unlike traditional cinnamon rolls that can be time-consuming, these bars offer that same mouthwatering flavor profile in a convenient, easy-to-make package that’s perfect for any occasion, from casual weeknight treats to impressive potluck contributions. Dive into pure bliss and experience the joy of homemade goodness – you won’t regret it!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Store any leftover Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to 5 days. They will remain fresh and delicious. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, you can serve them cold straight from the container, or gently warm them in a microwave for about 10-15 seconds per bar to recapture that delightful warmth and softness, especially if you prefer them gooey.
If you want to freeze these bars for future enjoyment, it’s best to do so before glazing, or once the glaze has fully set. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To reheat from frozen, unwrap a bar and let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes, then you can gently warm it in the microwave as described above, or enjoy it chilled.
Final Thoughts:
These Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars are a testament to how simple ingredients can create pure dessert magic. Giving them a try is an invitation to indulge in a comforting, flavorful treat that’s surprisingly easy to make. Prepare to be delighted by every delicious bite!
Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan. Alternatively, line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting later.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.½ cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 cup granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then, stir in the vanilla extract until well combined.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk. Begin and end with the dry ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can result in tough bars. You should have a thick batter.1 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt, ½ cup milk
- In a small bowl, combine the packed light brown sugar and ground cinnamon. Pour the melted butter over the mixture and stir until it forms a paste-like consistency.¾ cup packed light brown sugar, 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon, ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted
- Spread about two-thirds of the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Dollop spoonfuls of the cinnamon sugar filling over the batter. Then, spread the remaining one-third of the batter over the filling, trying to cover as much of it as possible. You can gently swirl the batter with a knife or skewer for a more pronounced swirl effect, but don’t worry if it’s not perfect – rustic is beautiful!
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean and the edges are golden brown.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. While they cool, prepare the cream cheese glaze. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until well combined and smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of milk and the vanilla extract, beating until the glaze reaches your desired drizzling consistency. Add another tablespoon of milk if needed to thin it out.4 ounces cream cheese, softened, ¼ cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk, ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once the bars are completely cooled, generously drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the top. Allow the glaze to set for a few minutes before cutting the bars into squares and serving.