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Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars You Have to Try - Featured Image

Irresistible Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars You Have to Try

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Learn how to make delicious Cinnamon Roll Cheesecake Bars. Easy recipe with step-by-step instructions.

  • Total Time: 45 minutes
  • Yield: 4 servings 1x

Ingredients

Scale

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1 cup whole milk
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar (for icing)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for icing)

Substitution suggestions: For a dairy-free option, try using coconut cream cheese and almond milk. If you want to lighten the bars, substitute half the butter with Greek yogurt, and for a healthier twist, swap half the all-purpose flour for whole wheat pastry flour.

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing extra on the sides to lift the bars out easily after baking.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  3. Add the cold, cubed butter and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. This step reminds me of when Mama Lou would say, “Feel the dough, Sofia—if it’s too warm, it won’t bake right.”
  4. Slowly stir in the milk until the dough comes together. Pour half of this dough evenly into the prepared pan and press gently with your hands or a spatula to form the bottom crust.
  5. In a small bowl, mix the brown sugar and cinnamon. Sprinkle this cinnamon sugar evenly over the dough layer.
  6. Drop spoonfuls of the remaining dough over the cinnamon sugar and gently spread to cover, leaving some rustic swirls—this creates the signature “cinnamon roll” effect in the bars.
  7. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Add eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until creamy and combined, about 2-3 minutes.
  8. Pour the cream cheese mixture evenly over the prepared dough layers, smoothing the top with a spatula. I always imagine Mama Lou’s proud smile when I pour this creamy goodness—she loved her cheesecake silky, not stiff.
  9. Bake for 35-40 minutes until the cheesecake layer is set but still slightly jiggly in the center. Avoid overbaking, as I learned from a batch that turned too dry—patience is key!
  10. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is the hardest part—waiting for the bars to cool, just like waiting for Mama Lou’s cinnamon rolls to cool enough to eat without burning your tongue.
  11. Once cooled, whisk together powdered sugar and milk to make a simple glaze. Drizzle over the bars before slicing into squares.

  • Author: Jenny
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Main Dish
  • Method: Cooking
  • Cuisine: International

Find it online: https://notesrecipes.com/cinnamon-roll-cheesecake-bars-4/