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!
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.
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!
- 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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I made these yesterday. They are SOOOO GOOD. Easy to make and I loved it! I’m thinking of all the different versions you could possibly do with this mix. For example, like a spice bar or pumpkin bar with the same cake but different pudding…. who knows right? If anyone does try another version, please share!
Question, I want to make these for a crowd. Can I double it and use a jelly roll pan?
Sure! You’ll just need to adjust the bake time a bit!
Thank you Shelly!
I’m seriously addicted to these!! They don’t disappoint!!
Do these freeze well? Can’t wait to try them!
Without frosting yes!
Thanks! These are SO good!!! Everyone loved them and they are way better than cinnamon rolls!
Tina – Birds custard powder would probably work.
I’d say probably about 3/4 cup of the custard powder.
I lived in England for the last 7 years.. that was my substitute for vanilla pudding.
I made these last night.. yum!
Wow these look amazing!! Can anyone tell me what the equivalent to the pudding mix is here in the UK?? Seriously want to make these!! xxx
Oh dang, I really don’t know…I am guessing there most likely isn’t a substitute.
Tina – Birds custard powder would probably work.
I’d say probably about 3/4 cup of the custard powder.
I lived in England for the last 7 years.. that was my substitute for vanilla pudding.
I made these last night.. yum!
Do you make the pudding or just use the mix?
I used just the dry mix
I made these today, they have good flavor but too sweet for me. My husband likes them so they ae a hit 😉
I was thinking of either halving the sugar int the frosting or making the bars in a jelly roll type pan to make the bars thinner thus speading the frosting a bit thinner. Any comments or advice on this would be appreciated.
Just made these today. Very good but too sweet for me. My husband really liked them though
I was thinking of maybe trying them in a jelly roll pan to make the a bit thinner and spreading the frosting a bit thinner. Or using less sugar in the frosting. Any opinions or advice on my idea would be welcomed.
theses are great for somebody with a big sweet tooth.
These look so good; going to store now to get some of the ingredients I’m missing. Can’t wait to try them!