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    Home » Blog » Dessert » Cinnamon Squares

    Cinnamon Squares

    Published: Sep 20, 2021 · Modified: Sep 20, 2021 by Aimee Mars · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Cinnamon square on parchment paper.

    With a cinnamon sugar crumble topping and perfectly gooey center these Cinnamon Squares are a decadent treat you won’t be able to resist. Made with cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and a few other basics making them easy to prepare. They’re chewy and soft and irresistibly good!

    Cinnamon Squares on top of parchment paper.

    Why This Recipe Works

    Each bite of these cinnamon bars is a texture mixed with both a crunchy cinnamon sugar crumble top layer and a gooey sweet cinnamon center, but they’re not overly sweet. If you love snickerdoodles and blondies then this is your dream dessert bar because it’s as if the two married and these are their delicious children.

    There’s nothing challenging about preparing these bars, they are super easy to make. The dry ingredients are mixed together and then the butter mixture is heated and melted and then poured into the dry to combine. After that, you’ll dump it all into your prepared baking pan.

    These make a delicious after-school treat and are also great for holiday gifting or sharing on a platter at a party along with these Praline Bars or these Butterscotch Pretzel Bars.

    Ingredients You’ll Need

    Cinnamon squares ingredients in different bowls.
    • Vanilla Extract: for this recipe I used organic vanilla extract, but often times in baking I’ll swap out the vanilla for almond extract, which brings a nuttier flavor overall. This would also be a good swap for this recipe.
    • Flour: I have only tested this recipe using all purpose flour. If you’d like to try a different flour I recommend using a measure-for-measure gluten-free flour or coconut flour if you need to be gluten-free or low carb.
    • Cinnamon: did you know there are many types of cinnamon? There’s ceylon, cassia, China tung hing, saigon, and Indonesian cinnamon. If you purchase yours from the store you’re most likely getting cassia, or Chinese, cinnamon, which actually isn’t considered a true cinnamon, but is actually perfect for this recipe since it’s sweeter than true cinnamon.

    Step-by-Step Instructions

    Cinnamon squares process steps 1 and 2.
    • Mix the dry ingredients. In a medium bowl mix the flour, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, the baking powder, and baking soda until fully combined, set aside.
    • Melt the butter and brown sugar. In a large saucepan, melt the 2/3 cup of butter together with the brown sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly.
    Cinnamon squares process steps 3 and 4.
    • Mix in eggs and vanilla. Stir the eggs and vanilla into the brown sugar and butter mixture until combined.
    • Combine the dry and wet ingredients. Pour the dry ingredients into the saucepan or the wet ingredients into the dry and stir the ingredients together until a smooth batter forms.
    Cinnamon squares process steps 5 and 6.
    • Pour the batter into the pan. Spread the batter into a 9×9 baking pan covered in aluminum foil and coated in cooking spray. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • Sprinkle on the topping. In a small bowl mix the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle on top of the bars.

    Topping Options

    For the topping, you have three options as to how you can add it on top of the bars, one is done prior to baking and the other two are after baking.

    • Pre-Baking Option: combine the cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter and sprinkle on top of the batter before you place it into the oven.
    • Butter First Option: brush the top of the bars with the melted butter and then mix the cinnamon and sugar together and sprinkle it on top of the bars.
    • After Baking Option: mix the cinnamon, sugar, and melted butter together and sprinkle it on top of the bars before they’ve cooled completely. This is the option I used in this recipe.
    Cinnamon bar topped with a cinnamon sugar topping sitting on parchment paper.

    Recipe Notes and Expert Tips

    • Use a large saucepan for melting the butter and brown sugar together so there’s room enough in the pan to mix in the dry ingredients.
    • When mixing the dry ingredients into the brown sugar and butter mixture try not to overmix the batter. If you feel you’re mixing the batter too much you can use a wooden spoon to fold the ingredients together instead.
    • When covering your baking pan with foil leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides, which will make removing the squares extremely easy.
    • Change up the topping on these bars for something a little different. Try some cream cheese frosting or even buttercream. You can also drizzle on some melted chocolate or spread on a chocolate ganache.
    • These cinnamon bars will firm up as they cool so you’ll want to let them cool completely before slicing into them (no judgment if you dig right in though). The bars on the edges will be slightly crispier than the ones in the middle that have an even gooey texture.

    Helpful Equipment

    • 9×9 Baking Pan
    • Parchment Paper or Aluminum Foil
    • Whisk
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons

    FAQs

    Did I need to refrigerate cinnamon squares?

    No, you do not. Store them in an air-tight container and keep them in your pantry or on your counter.

    Can I leave off the cinnamon sugar topping?

    Sure! This just adds an extra layer of sweetness, but it’s not necessary to the recipe, although highly recommended.

    Related Recipes

    • Cinnamon Roasted Pecans
    • Apple Cinnamon Muffins
    • Cinnamon Apple Bread
    • Cinnamon Sugar Banana Muffins

    If you made these Cinnamon Squares I want to hear all about it! Share a photo and tag me on Instagram using @AimeeMarsLiving and #AimeeMars so I can see your beautiful work. Enjoy!

    Cinnamon bars sitting next to each other with two standing up.

    Cinnamon Squares

    With a cinnamon sugar crumble topping and perfectly gooey center these Cinnamon Squares are a decadent treat you won't be able to resist. Made with cinnamon, brown sugar, butter, vanilla, and a few other basics making them easy to prepare. They're chewy and soft and irresistibly good!
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 20 minutes
    Cook Time: 25 minutes
    Total Time: 45 minutes
    Servings: 16 Bars
    Calories: 259kcal
    Author: Aimee Mars

    Equipment

    • 9×9 Baking Pan
    • Mixing Bowls
    • Whisk
    • Measuring Cups and Spoons

    Ingredients

    • 2 cups Flour spooned and leveled
    • 3 teaspoons Ground Cinnamon
    • 1 teaspoon Baking Powder
    • 1/4 teaspoon Baking Soda
    • 2 cups Brown Sugar packed
    • 2/3 cup Butter
    • 2 large Eggs
    • 2 teaspoons Vanilla
    • 1/4 cup Sugar
    • 1 tablespoon Butter melted

    Instructions

    • Preheat the oven to 350ºF and line a 9×9 baking pan or dish with aluminum foil leaving a 2-inch overhang on all sides. Spray the foil with cooking spray or grease.
    • In a medium bowl mix the flour, 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, the baking powder, and baking soda until fully combined, set aside.
    • In a large saucepan, melt the 2/3 cup of butter together with the brown sugar over medium heat, stirring occasionally until smooth. Remove the pan from the heat and let cool slightly.
    • Whisk the eggs and vanilla into the brown sugar and butter mixture until combined.
    • Pour the dry ingredients into the saucepan and whisk the ingredients together until a smooth batter forms (don't over mix the batter).
    • Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes (I typically bake mine until exactly 30 minutes), or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
    • In a small bowl mix the remaining 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, sugar, and 1 tablespoon of melted butter and sprinkle on top of the bars.
    • Use the sides of the foil to lift the bars out of the baking pan and set on top of a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

    Notes

    • Use a large saucepan for melting the butter and brown sugar together so there’s room enough in the pan to mix in the dry ingredients.
    • When mixing the dry ingredients into the brown sugar and butter mixture try not to overmix the batter. If you feel you’re mixing the batter too much you can use a wooden spoon to fold the ingredients together instead.
    • When covering your baking pan with foil leaving a 2-inch overhang on the sides, which will make removing the squares extremely easy.
    • Change up the topping on these bars for something a little different. Try some cream cheese frosting or even buttercream. You can also drizzle on some melted chocolate or spread on a chocolate ganache.
    • These cinnamon bars will firm up as they cool so you’ll want to let them cool completely before slicing into them (no judgment if you dig right in though). The bars on the edges will be slightly crispier than the ones in the middle that have an even gooey texture.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Square | Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 9g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 45mg | Sodium: 108mg | Potassium: 92mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 30g | Vitamin A: 293IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 46mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @AimeeMarsLiving or tag #AimeeMarsLiving!
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