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
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Made these tonight for our Pinterest cooking club & they came out SO good ~ HUGE hit with everyone – thank you for the easy yummy recipe!
So glad you liked them!! What a fun idea, a Pinterest Cooking Club!
I love baking and I especially love a baking challenge – I once spent the better part of two weeks making french macarons every day trying to perfect them. I about lost my mind but I can now make a macaron even Laduree would be proud of. Despite my love of difficult recipes, I can’t stay far enough away from anything with yeast. It doesn’t make much sense considering the time I’ve dedicated to other recipes, but why would I spend all that time when there are bars like this to make instead? Seriously, these are amazing and perhaps one of the easiest things I’ve ever made. Thanks for sharing!
I haven’t made real cinnamon rolls either. All that waiting for the yeast makes me lazt. LOL. I love this idea!
“Take that yeast” is now my new battle cry.
I used instant pudding and white cake with a splash of vanilla, since that is all I had. Perfect! I also ground some Red Hot’s candies and sprinkled on top with the sugar. Yummy!!!!
so if i only have instant pudding on hand, can i use that instead? what will be different than using the cook and serve?
I am sure it would probably work, although I have never tried it!
I could totally make this and eat it right now for breakfast! No wait, too lazy to make it. I’ll just come over and help with the leftovers.
Shut the front door!!! I am not a huge cinnamon fan, but I haven’t made cinnamon rolls for my family in forever, so I thought I would give these a go! Oh. My. Gosh!!!!!! These are perfect for a cinnamon roll fix!! Love the texture of the bar, and the flavor was fantastic!! I didn’t have time to make the cream cheese frosting, so I just used a can of vanilla. I can’t even imagine how good these will be with the cream cheese frosting!
Thanks for the awesome recipe!
My mouth is watering here.
I have to make this for Dad this w/end!
Oh how I would love a few (dozen) with my coffee right now. What a great idea!!!