Okay, so you’re craving cinnamon rolls, right? But who’s got time for ALL that work? Not me, that’s for sure! That’s where these crazy-easy **cinnamon roll bars** come in. Seriously, we’re talking from-craving-to-devouring in under an hour. They’re the perfect cheat when you want that warm, gooey, cinnamon-y goodness without spending hours in the kitchen.
Growing up, my grandma used to make these *amazing* cinnamon rolls from scratch. I’m talking all-day affair! I loved them, but uh, ain’t nobody got time for that these days… These bars give me that same cozy feeling, but, like, *way* faster. Trust me; you’re gonna love ‘em!
Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Roll Bars
Seriously, what’s *not* to love? But here’s the lowdown:
- Super Easy: I’m talking, like, ridiculously easy. If you can open a can of cinnamon rolls, you can make these!
- Quick Baking Time: 25 minutes? That’s it! Perfect for when you need a sweet treat FAST.
- Seriously Delicious: All that cinnamon-y, sugary goodness? Yes, please!
- Crowd-Pleaser: Got a bunch of kiddos (or adults!) to feed? These disappear FAST.
- Kid-Friendly: My little monsters LOVE helping me make these. It’s a win-win!
Ingredients for Cinnamon Roll Bars
Alright, let’s talk about what you’ll need. The best part? It’s probably already in your fridge and pantry! Here’s the super-short list:
- 1 package (13×9-inch) refrigerated cinnamon rolls *with* the icing (that’s important!).
- 1/4 cup butter, melted. Don’t burn it!
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar. Adds that little bit of extra yum.
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Because, duh, cinnamon rolls.
That’s it! Told ya it was easy!
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Bars: Step-by-Step
Okay, pay attention, because things are about to get real easy. Trust me, even if you’ve never baked anything before, you can nail these cinnamon roll bars. Let’s do this!
- Preheat that oven! Seriously, don’t forget. Set it to 350°F (175°C). While it’s heating up, grease a 9-inch square baking pan. I like to use butter and then a little flour – that way, nothing sticks! You could use baking spray too, whatever floats your boat.
- Unroll and chop. Pop open that package of cinnamon rolls (careful, they can be a little jumpy!) and unroll each one. Now, grab a knife and cut each roll into eight pieces. Don’t stress if they’re not perfect; we’re going for rustic, remember?
- Get saucy! In a mixing bowl – any bowl will do, even that slightly chipped one you love – combine the melted butter, brown sugar, and extra cinnamon. Mmm, smells delish already, right?
- Coat those babies. Dump the cinnamon roll pieces into the bowl with the butter mixture. Toss everything together until every piece is nicely coated. Don’t be afraid to get your hands in there! (Just make sure they’re clean, obviously!).
- Spread it out. Transfer the cinnamon roll mixture to your prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly. It’s okay if it looks a little messy; it’ll all even out in the oven.
- Bake, bake, bake! Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them! You want them to be golden brown and bubbly. If the tops start to get too dark, just loosely cover the pan with foil.
- Cool it! Once they’re done (and, wow, your kitchen probably smells amazing right now!), take the pan out of the oven. Let the bars cool SLIGHTLY before you frost them. If you frost them while they’re too hot, the icing will melt right off. Oops!
- Icing time! Now, grab that icing that came with the cinnamon rolls (told ya it was important!). Spread it evenly over the warm bars. My favorite part is licking the spoon!
- Cut and devour! Finally, cut the bars into squares and serve. Try not to eat them all at once… but I won’t judge you if you do!
I mean, seriously, how easy was that?!
Tips for the Best Cinnamon Roll Bars
Okay, so you’ve got the basics down, but wanna take these cinnamon roll bars to the *next* level? Here’s my secret stash of tips:
- Pan Size Matters: A 9-inch square pan is my go-to, but you *could* use an 8-inch if that’s all you’ve got. Just know they’ll be a bit thicker and might need a few extra minutes in the oven.
- Baking Time is a Guideline: Every oven’s different, right? Keep a *close* eye on those bars! You want them golden brown, not burnt to a crisp. Start checking around 20 minutes.
- Even Cooking is Key: Wanna make sure everything bakes evenly? Rotate the pan halfway through the baking time. Simple trick, BIG difference!
- Don’t Overbake! Slightly underbaked is WAY better than dry and crumbly. Trust me on this one!
Variations for Your Cinnamon Roll Bars
Alright, so you’ve mastered the basic cinnamon roll bars. High five! Now, let’s get a little wild, shall we? Here are some fun ways to jazz things up and make them *your* own:
- Nutty Delight: Toss in some chopped pecans, walnuts, or even almonds with the melted butter. Gives it a little crunch and a whole lot of flavor!
- Chocolate Chip Craze: Who doesn’t love chocolate? Sprinkle some chocolate chips (milk, dark, white – go crazy!) on top before baking. They get all melty and gooey… Mmm!
- Sprinkle Magic: Because sprinkles make everything better, right? Add them before baking for a festive touch. Rainbow sprinkles are my personal fave!
- Extract Explosion: A teaspoon of vanilla or almond extract to the butter mixture adds a subtle, but oh-so-delicious, twist.
- Cream Cheese Dream: Look for cinnamon rolls with a cream cheese filling! The extra tang is seriously amazing.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips for Cinnamon Roll Bars
Okay, so you wanna get ahead of the game? I hear ya! These cinnamon roll bars are perfect for making in advance. You can assemble them (but don’t bake ’em!) and keep ’em in the fridge, covered, for up to 24 hours. Then, just pop them in the oven when you’re ready for that warm, gooey goodness. And for leftovers (if there *are* any!), just store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay yummy for a couple of days… or freeze ’em for longer! Just wrap ’em well, and they’ll be good to go for up to a month. Thaw ’em out before you devour!
Frequently Asked Questions About Cinnamon Roll Bars
Got questions? I’ve got answers! Here are a few questions that I get *all the time* about these amazing cinnamon roll bars:
Can I use a different size pan?
Yep, you totally can! A 9×13 inch pan will work, but the bars will be thinner. You might need to shave off a few minutes of baking time, so keep a close eye. An 8×8 inch pan will also work; the bars will be thicker and gooier. Yum!
Can I make these without brown sugar?
Okay, so the brown sugar adds a *lot* to the flavor, but if you’re in a pinch, you can substitute white sugar. Just know they won’t have that same caramel-y depth. But hey, they’ll still be delicious!
How do I prevent them from being too sticky?
A little stickiness is part of the charm, right? But if they’re *super* sticky, it could be because your oven’s running a bit cool. Make sure your oven is preheated properly, and don’t be afraid to bake them a few extra minutes until they’re golden brown.
Can I use homemade cinnamon roll dough?
Absolutely! Though these bars are all about speed and ease, feel free to sub in your favorite homemade cinnamon roll dough. You might need to experiment with the baking time a bit, depending on your recipe.
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Estimated Nutritional Information for Cinnamon Roll Bars
Okay, so just a head’s up: this is just a *rough* estimate, but each cinnamon roll bar packs about 250 calories, 12g fat, 3g protein, and 35g carbs. Enjoy!
Enjoy Your Homemade Cinnamon Roll Bars
Alright, you did it! You made amazing cinnamon roll bars! Now, go ahead and devour them! And hey, if you loved this recipe as much as I do, don’t forget to leave a comment below or rate the recipe! You can also check out my recipe for homemade cinnamon rolls. Sharing is caring!
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Print
Cinnamon Roll Bars
- Total Time: 40 min
- Yield: 9 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy cinnamon roll bars recipe.
Ingredients
- 1 package (13×9-inch) refrigerated cinnamon rolls with icing
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease a 9-inch square baking pan.
- Unroll cinnamon rolls and cut each roll into 8 pieces.
- In a bowl, combine melted butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon. Add the cinnamon roll pieces and toss to coat.
- Transfer mixture to the prepared pan and spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Let cool slightly before frosting with the included icing.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- For a richer flavor, add 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts to the butter mixture.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Prep Time: 15 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 20mg



