Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Easy Snickerdoodle Bars deliver all the cinnamon-sugar charm of classic snickerdoodle cookies without the fuss of rolling dough. These soft, chewy bars are made in one pan, perfect for sharing at parties, potlucks, or enjoying with a warm drink. The irresistible cinnamon topping and buttery base make this a go-to recipe for cozy desserts.
ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
flour
unsalted butter
granulated sugar
brown sugar
eggs
vanilla extract
baking powder
salt
ground cinnamon
Topping:
granulated sugar
ground cinnamon
directions
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
In a small bowl, mix together the topping ingredients and sprinkle evenly over the top of the batter.
Bake for 22–25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
Servings and timing
This recipe yields approximately 24 bars.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Baking time: 22–25 minutes
Cooling time: 20 minutes
Total time: 50–55 minutes
Variations
Add a cream cheese swirl for a tangy twist.
Fold in white chocolate chips for added sweetness.
Use pumpkin pie spice in place of cinnamon for a seasonal variation.
Top with a simple glaze for extra indulgence.
storage/reheating
Store Snickerdoodle Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Refrigerate for up to 10 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
To reheat, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10–15 seconds.
FAQs
What are Snickerdoodle Bars made of?
They’re made with a buttery cookie dough base and topped with a cinnamon-sugar layer, similar to snickerdoodle cookies.
Do I have to chill the dough?
No, these bars don’t require chilling, making them faster to prepare than traditional cookies.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
Butter is preferred for flavor, but margarine can be used if needed.
Why are my bars too dry?
Avoid overbaking—check doneness at the 22-minute mark to keep them soft and chewy.
Can I make these gluten-free?
Yes, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for baking.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, but use a larger pan or bake in two batches for even cooking.
Do they need to be refrigerated?
Only if storing longer than 5 days or in hot climates.
Are Snickerdoodle Bars kid-friendly?
Absolutely—they’re sweet, soft, and full of cinnamon-sugar flavor.
Can I add nuts?
Yes, chopped pecans or walnuts make a nice crunchy addition.
Can I make them ahead of time?
Yes, they store well and can even be frozen for later.
Conclusion
Easy Snickerdoodle Bars are a hassle-free, crowd-pleasing dessert that captures the warm, cinnamon essence of snickerdoodles in a quick and simple bar form. Whether you’re baking for a gathering or treating yourself at home, these chewy, sweet treats are sure to become a favorite.
PrintEasy Snickerdoodle Bars
- Prep Time: 15 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Total Time: 1 hour 45 mins (including cooling)
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert / Bar
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, cinnamon‑sugar topped snickerdoodle bars that combine the best of cookies and brownies in one easy pan‑bake.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ¾ cups all‑purpose flour
- 2 tsp cream of tartar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ½ tsp salt
- Cinnamon‑Sugar Topping: ¼ cup granulated sugar + 1 tsp ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 °F (175 °C). Line a 9×13‑inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and 1 ½ cups sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each, then mix in vanilla.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cream of tartar, cinnamon, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients into wet, mixing until just combined—do not overmix.
- Spread batter evenly into prepared pan.
- Mix topping sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle evenly over the batter.
- Bake 25–30 minutes, or until edges are golden and center is set but slightly soft.
- Allow to cool completely in pan on a wire rack, about 1 hour, then lift out using parchment overhang and slice into bars.
Notes
- Ensure bars are fully cool before slicing to keep clean edges.
- Add a sprinkle of sea salt on top right after baking for balance.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 3 months.
- For a richer flavor, use half brown sugar instead of white.