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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This is very difficult to read. With the video and ads on top of the recipe I have only a little sliver of the screen to view it. It looks really good though and I want to try it. But I’m going to hunt for this recipe elsewhere. Using an Android phone. Unable to x out ad or video. Just thought you might want to know.
You can easily click on “print the recipe” and it will come up with a non ad page with only the recipe, and of course the ability to print as well!
THE BEST IN THE ENTIRE WORLD
I only have yellow cake mix. Does anybody know if that would work?
Super excited to try these, they look sooo good!
That will be fine!
Silly question. I’ve never used cook & serve pudding. Does it have to made ahead of time and then put into the ingredients for the bars? Or do I toss in what’s in the box as-is??
Toss the dry pudding mix in!
If I made the vanilla cake from scratch, would I still need to use the pudding?
Yes 🙂
Just made them and they smell heavenly. Won’t taste them until work tomorrow but I’m sure the ICU nurses will be happy haha.
Lmbo, loved the recipe and how you explained it!! Kids loved this and was a great treat at the company picnic.. Thanks for sharing..