Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe

The Best Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe Ever Made

Crafting delectable snickerdoodle cookie bars promises a delightful twist on a classic treat that will make your taste buds dance.

Soft, cinnamon-sugar coated squares emerge from your kitchen like magic.

Childhood memories swirl with each warm, fragrant bite.

Sweet comfort wraps around you like a nostalgic embrace.

Cinnamon’s warmth mingles with buttery richness, creating an irresistible texture that melts in your mouth.

These bars bring simplicity and joy to your baking adventure.

One taste, and you’ll understand why this recipe becomes an instant favorite.

  • Ridiculously Simple Preparation: Forget complicated steps. This recipe lets you mix, spread, and bake with minimal kitchen skills needed.
  • Family Crowd-Pleaser: Kids and adults will love the classic cinnamon-sugar combination that delivers comfort and sweet nostalgia in every bite.
  • Quick Dessert Solution: Perfect for unexpected guests or sudden sugar cravings, these bars come together faster than traditional drop cookies.
  • Stress-Free Baking Experience: No precise cookie shaping required – just press the dough into a pan and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar for guaranteed deliciousness.
For the Base:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the cookie bars.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, chewy texture.
  • Unsalted Butter: Provides rich flavor and helps bind the ingredients together.
  • Egg: Adds moisture and helps hold the cookie bars together.
For the Leavening and Seasoning:
  • Baking Powder: Helps the cookie bars rise and become light and fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the cookie bars.
  • Vanilla Extract: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the cookie bars.
For the Topping:
  • Ground Cinnamon, Granulated Sugar: Creates a sweet and spicy cinnamon sugar coating that adds extra flavor and texture to the top of the cookie bars.

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up your oven to 350F (180C). Grab a baking pan and coat it with butter or line with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Create Dry Mixture

Grab a mixing bowl and toss in flour, baking powder, and salt. Gently whisk these ingredients together until they’re well combined.

Step 3: Whip Butter and Sugar

In another bowl, grab your softened butter and granulated sugar. Beat them together until the mixture becomes super fluffy and looks like a cloud of sweetness.

Step 4: Blend Wet Components

Crack an egg into the butter-sugar mixture and splash in vanilla extract. Whip everything until it’s smooth and looks like a silky dream.

Step 5: Merge Dry and Wet Ingredients

Slowly pour the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir gently until a soft, delectable dough forms.

Don’t overmix – just combine until everything looks perfect.

Step 6: Spread the Dough

Transfer the dough into your prepared pan.

Use your fingers or a spatula to press and spread the dough evenly across the entire surface.

Step 7: Create Cinnamon Topping

In a small dish, mix ground cinnamon and granulated sugar.

Sprinkle this magical mixture generously over the dough, creating a gorgeous cinnamon blanket.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the preheated oven.

Bake for 25-30 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown and your kitchen smells like heaven.

Step 9: Cool and Slice

Remove the pan from the oven and let it cool completely.

Once cooled, slice into squares or bars using a sharp knife.

Step 10: Enjoy Your Creation

Serve these incredible snickerdoodle bars and watch everyone’s eyes light up with pure joy!

  • Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming to ensure smooth, even mixing without lumps.
  • Do not overmix the dough, as this can make the bars tough and dense instead of soft and chewy.
  • Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center to avoid overbaking, which dries out the cookie bars.
  • Refrigerate the dough for 30 minutes before spreading in the pan to intensify the cinnamon-sugar taste and improve texture.
  • Use parchment paper with overhanging edges for easy removal and clean cutting of cookie bars.

Variations to Mix Up Snickerdoodle Bars

  • Chocolate Chip Snickerdoodle Bars: Fold in 1 cup chocolate chips into the dough before spreading in the pan for a rich, decadent version.
  • Nutty Cinnamon Crunch Bars: Sprinkle chopped pecans or walnuts on top of the cinnamon sugar layer for extra texture and nutty flavor.
  • Salted Caramel Snickerdoodle Bars: Drizzle homemade or store-bought caramel sauce over the cooled bars and sprinkle with sea salt for a gourmet touch.
  • Cream Cheese Swirl Bars: Blend softened cream cheese with sugar and swirl into the dough before baking for a tangy, creamy element.

Pairings That Go Well with Snickerdoodle Bars

  • Pair with Warm Milk Comfort: Dunking these chewy snickerdoodle bars into a cold glass of whole milk creates a nostalgic, cozy experience that enhances the cookie's cinnamon sweetness.
  • Complement with Chai Tea Delight: Brew a spicy chai tea that mirrors the warm cinnamon notes, creating a harmonious flavor profile that elevates the cookie's comforting taste.
  • Match with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Top a warm snickerdoodle bar with a scoop of creamy vanilla bean ice cream, where the cool, smooth texture contrasts beautifully with the bar's soft, chewy texture.
  • Serve with Caramel Macchiato: The rich espresso and caramel undertones of a macchiato beautifully balance the sweet cinnamon sugar coating, offering a sophisticated dessert pairing.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper for up to 5 days, keeping them fresh and preventing them from drying out.

Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe bag, storing for up to 3 months for later enjoyment.

Warm bars briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, chewy texture and enhance the cinnamon flavor.

Let frozen bars thaw at room temperature for 30-45 minutes, restoring their original delicious taste and texture.

FAQs

  • Are these cookie bars similar to traditional snickerdoodle cookies?

Yes, they capture the classic cinnamon-sugar flavor of snickerdoodle cookies but in a convenient bar form that’s easier to make and serve.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

You can use salted butter, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

  • How do I know when the cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.

  • Is it necessary to use parchment paper when baking these bars?

While not mandatory, parchment paper makes removing and cutting the bars much easier and prevents sticking to the pan.

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Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe

Chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.9 from 30 reviews

  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Snickerdoodle cookie bars deliver classic cinnamon-sugar comfort with a delightful twist on traditional cookies. Buttery, tender squares promise pure homemade happiness for cookie enthusiasts craving that perfect blend of sweet nostalgia and irresistible texture.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 1/2 cups (190 grams) all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar
  • 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 large egg

Leavening and Seasoning:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Topping:

  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar

Instructions

  1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350F (180C) and preparing a baking pan with grease or parchment paper.
  2. Create a foundation by whisking flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium mixing bowl until thoroughly combined.
  3. Transform butter and granulated sugar into a creamy, airy mixture using an electric mixer, beating until the texture becomes light and voluminous.
  4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter mixture, blending until the ingredients are seamlessly integrated.
  5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to develop a cohesive dough without overmixing.
  6. Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, using gentle pressure to distribute it evenly across the surface, creating a smooth, uniform layer.
  7. Craft a fragrant topping by combining ground cinnamon and granulated sugar in a separate small bowl, then generously dust the entire dough surface with this aromatic mixture.
  8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, monitoring until the edges turn a rich golden brown and the center appears set.
  9. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely within the pan, which helps them maintain structural integrity.
  10. Once cooled, slice into precise squares or rectangular bars, revealing the tender, cinnamon-kissed interior.

Notes

  • Achieving the perfect texture requires using room temperature butter for smooth, even mixing and creamy consistency.
  • Slightly underbake the bars to maintain that signature chewy center, ensuring they remain soft and tender when cooled.
  • For gluten-free options, swap traditional flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to preserve the classic snickerdoodle taste and texture.
  • Enhance flavor complexity by adding a pinch of cream of tartar, which provides a subtle tanginess characteristic of traditional snickerdoodle recipes.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 160 kcal
  • Sugar: 12 g
  • Sodium: 80 mg
  • Fat: 7 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 0.5 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 20 mg
Nate Harper

Nate Harper

Founder & Recipe Curator

Expertise

Single-Recipe Development, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Seasonal Menu Planning, Culinary Storytelling, Home Kitchen Innovation

Education

Cascade Culinary Institute – Central Oregon Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and seasonal recipe creation.

Nate studied under experienced chefs who emphasized local sourcing, minimal waste, and building recipes from fresh, simple ingredients.


Nate Harper is the founder and creative force behind Make, Take, Bake. Raised in the wild beauty of Oregon’s high desert, Nate grew up surrounded by family gardens, farmers’ markets, and home kitchens that celebrated the seasons.
His early love for simple, honest food evolved into a professional passion when he attended Cascade Culinary Institute, where he sharpened his skills in creating recipes that are sustainable, satisfying, and made for everyday life.
Nate’s goal is to make cooking feel accessible, free of fuss, and full of flavor. He believes a single, thoughtfully built dish can stand alone, and sometimes even steal the show.

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