Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
These Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars are buttery, chewy and layered with that signature cinnamon-sugar topping. Baked until golden with soft centers and crisp edges, they're everything you love about classic snickerdoodles, just in easy bar form.
Perfect for holidays or cozy weekends, this cookie bar recipe delivers cinnamon-sweet comfort without the hassle of rolling individual cookies. Just mix, press and bake for a treat that pairs perfectly with a cold glass of milk.
Some more cookie bars we love are our Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars and Easter Blondies. They're great bases that can be adapted and decorated for any holiday.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Classic Flavor in Bar Form: All the cozy cinnamon-sugar flavor of traditional snickerdoodles without the rolling and chilling.
- Soft and Chewy Texture: Melted butter and brown sugar create a moist, tender crumb.
- Simple Ingredients: Pantry staples come together in minutes for a foolproof dessert.
- Perfect Anytime Treat: Ideal for holidays, gifting or afternoon coffee breaks.
- Easy to Customize: Add cream cheese frosting or a drizzle of glaze for a fun twist.
Ingredients
These chewy snickerdoodle bars are made with simple pantry staples and finished with a sweet cinnamon-sugar topping.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and a soft texture.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a hint of caramel flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Softened butter provides richness and a tender crumb.
- Large Egg: Binds the ingredients, adds richness and lift.
- Granulated White Sugar: The base of the signature snickerdoodle topping.
- Ground Cinnamon: Brings cozy, warm spice to every bite.
Grab yourself measuring cups and spoons, stand mixer with paddle attachment, mixing bowl, 8x8 metal baking pan and parchment paper.
Variations
- Add Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup chocolate chips for a chocolatey spin.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Spread a light layer over cooled bars for a bakery-style twist.
- Brown Butter Base: Swap melted butter for browned butter to add a nutty depth.
- Spice Mix: Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom for extra warmth.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make it allergy-friendly.
How to Make Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
Check out how easily these bars come together with pantry staples.
Preheat oven to 325F and line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper, leaving the sides high.
In a medium bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, sea salt and baking powder.
Using a stand mixer or large bowl, mix sugars and butter on low speed to combine.
Add in egg, pure vanilla and mix again on low (about 30 seconds), stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Mix until combined.
Transfer cookie dough into 8x8 pan and flatten with an offset spatula.
Mix cinnamon sugar topping in a small bowl and sprinkle over top.
Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges look set; a toothpick comes out of the center with moist crumbs.
Hint: Be careful not to overmix. Mix just until combined to keep the bars soft.
Recipe Tips
- Extra Twist: For a sweet cinnamon center, spread half the dough in the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, then layer the remaining dough and sprinkle again.
- Use Metal Bakeware: A metal pan gives crisp edges and an even bake.
- Cool Before Slicing: This helps them set and makes for cleaner cuts.
These bars are perfect for any time of year, but if you're looking for another holiday recipe that's great for gifting, try our Crockpot Candy.
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Storage Instructions
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 4 days out of direct sunlight.
- Freezer: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag for up to 3 months. Thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight.
Serving Suggestions
- More Cookies and Bars: Ginger Molasses Cookies, Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bars, Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies and Banana Chocolate Chip Cookies.
Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe FAQs
Be sure not to overbake your bars. Remove them from the oven when a tooth still has moist crumbs from the center.
Yes, they stay soft for days and freeze well, making them perfect for baking batches ahead and saving for gifting or the holidays.
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Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
Equipment
- Measuring Spoons and Cups
- Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
- Mixing Bowl
- 8x8 Metal Pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- 187.5 grams all-purpose flour about 1 ½ cups
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 100 grams granulated sugar about ½ cup
- 100 grams light brown sugar about ½ cup, packed
- 1 stick butter unsalted, softened
- ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
Topping
- 2 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper leaving the sides high.
- In a medium bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, sea salt and baking powder.
- Using a stand mixer or large bowl, mix sugars and butter on low speed to combine.
- Add in egg, pure vanilla and mix again on low (about 30 seconds), stopping to scrape down the sides as needed. Mix until combined.
- Transfer cookie dough into 8x8 pan and flatten with an offset spatula.
- Mix cinnamon sugar topping in a small bowl and sprinkle over top.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until the edges look set; a toothpick comes out of the center with moist crumbs.
Notes
- Be careful not to overmix. Mix just until combined to keep the bars soft.
- For a sweet cinnamon center, spread half the dough in the pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, then layer the remaining dough and sprinkle again.
- A metal pan gives crisp edges and an even bake.
- Chilling the cookies slightly helps them set and makes for cleaner cuts.
Nutrition
We would be so grateful for you to leave us a rating and review on any recipes you try. If you make any changes, let us know how they turned out.
I'm eager to try these, but what about the cream of tartar for the tanginess that is classic w/ snickerdoodles?
You can sub the baking powder for a more classic Snickerdoodle vibe. Not everyone has it in the kitchen (myself included), so I designed this one with it as a substitute. I hope you enjoy them, let me know how it goes.
Snickerdoodles are such a nostalgic item so I knew I needed to make these bars! LOVE the ease of not having to roll and shape each one. Plus, they were really delicious!
I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed them. We love making bars too! So much simpler!
I made these for my son's soccer bake sale and they sold out before any of the other items. Total hit!
That is great to hear, thank you for letting us know. Such a classic flavor!