These Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars are simple and delicious cookie bars that taste just like a cinnamon roll! They’re soft, sweet, and all-around delicious!
Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars
I have a confession.
I have never made homemade cinnamon rolls.
Like ever.
I am all about popping that can of Grands on a Saturday morning, but the homemade kind with yeast? Yeah no.
Does that make me a fraud?
Here’s my reasoning…I would rather sit and think about how to successfully stuff a cookie WITH a cinnamon roll than how to make the yeasty bits work in the dough.
I am sure it’s easy, and I’m sure you guys will email me recipes to your “no fail” cinnamon rolls, or send me links to the “EASIEST CINNAMON ROLLS EVER”, but I’ll tell you what’s no fail…it’s called popping open a can and baking for 15 minutes.
I know it’s kinda opposite for me, because I’m all about letting your cookie dough sit overnight and really how annoying is THAT? But all the yeasty rising and waiting or proofing or whatever you call it bugs me. Much like making pudding.
I never claimed to make sense.
So instead of making Cinnamon Rolls, let me do me and make Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars.
Because it makes sense.
These guys start with a cake mix and a box of pudding. You they’re gonna be good.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars
Literally dump all your ingredients into a bowl and stir.
You’re gonna need to load up on cinnamon. Two whole tablespoons. Don’t be scared.
Spread your batter into a greased pan and bake.
Seriously, how easy is that?
They’ll look like this when they are done…
While they’re cooling go ahead and make your frosting.
I enjoy my cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting. Duh.
Plop that frosting on top of your cooled bars…
And spread it around evenly.
I topped mine with some cinnamon sugar. I got this handy little grinder from Trader Joe’s, but it’s just as easy to make your own and sprinkle it all up on there.
I mean…
Take THAT yeast!
Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: About 12 large bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars are simple and delicious cookie bars that taste just like a cinnamon roll! They’re soft, sweet, and all-around delicious!
Ingredients
Bars
- 1 (15.25 oz) box Vanilla Cake Mix
- 1 (4 serving) box Cook and Serve Vanilla Pudding
- 3/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp cinnamon
Frosting
- 1 (8 oz) block cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup butter, room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- *optional ~ Cinnamon Sugar to garnish
- 3 Tbsp sugar + 1 tsp cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°
- Spray 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray, set aside.
- In large bowl combine all ingredients for the bars. Stir until there are no lumps.
- Spread into prepared baking dish and bake 20-25 minutes until edges are golden.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
Frosting
- In mixing bowl beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth. Slowly add the powdered sugar and continue beating for 1-2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
- Spread on cooled bars.
- If desired sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top for garnish
- Cut into squares when ready to serve.
Notes
Store chilled because of the frosting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size:
- Calories: 545
- Sugar: 96.9 g
- Sodium: 91.1 mg
- Fat: 16.9 g
- Carbohydrates: 100.7 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 72.9 mg
Want To Save This Recipe?
Find more recipes like this:
This is such a great idea! Never have time to make cinnamon rolls, but definitely have time for these!!:)
Dealing with yeast is taxing. I only do it on special occasions. There’s too many variables and chances for things to go wrong. My mom used to make homemade cinnamon rolls with bisquik, and they were amazing. The top sort of forms a crust, so there’s a contrast of textures between the soft gooey bottom, and the biscuity burnt sugar top. It was the best.
Yes indeed, yeast is only for special occasions. I think I used it last year. Once. To make cinnamon rolls in fact.
I only recently made cinnamon rolls for the first time and it’s an epic undertaking. You need to set aside an entire weekend – all that waiting and rolling and cutting and more waiting. They’re delicious but I love me a Grands cinnamon roll too. I’m totally on board with these cookies – the taste of a cinnamon roll in less time and in delicious cookie form? Brilliant!
Sooo much easier than cinnamon rolls. Yummo!
I just made these to take to work for team snack. I snuck a taste to make sure they weren’t poisonous….HOLY COW, these are amazing!!! I subbed dark brown sugar and browned my butter before adding it both to the cookie batter and cream cheese. These really are so delicious! Thanks for a creative spin on dessert for breakfast.
Yay!!
Ummm, you’re brilliant. That’s pretty much it. (These look amazing!) 🙂
Seriously! You have got to be joking! These are incredible and would be gone in like a minute around here! Need to make them ASAP!
oh, these are beyond incredible.
love, love, love…
love them!
those sound addictive!
I miss carbs!
You sure showed yeast! Wow, these look killer! I am kind of obsessed with cinnamon rolls and these are giving me big time cravings. I will be making these for sure. Pinning! 🙂