Have you ever craved a dessert that’s both simple to make and delicious enough to impress your friends or family? If so, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars might just be the answer. Picture this: a flaky, buttery crust paired with a creamy, tangy filling and a warm, cinnamon-sugar topping. It’s the perfect blend of textures and flavors, all packed into a dessert that’s easy enough for beginners to whip up without breaking a sweat. Whether you’re new to baking or just looking for a quick, impressive treat, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are a great place to start. With only six ingredients, the process is straightforward, making it the ideal dessert for someone just starting out in the kitchen.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars: A Beginner-Friendly Dessert for Any Occasion
If you’re new to baking and want a simple yet delicious dessert, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are the perfect choice. With just six ingredients and minimal prep time, they combine a flaky crust, creamy filling, and a sweet cinnamon sugar topping. Easy to make and irresistibly tasty, these bars are sure to be a hit at any occasion, even for beginners!
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 16 ounces refrigerated crescent roll dough sheets (if you don’t have crescent sheets, crescent rolls work too—just press the seams together)
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Instructions
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your bars. You don’t want to have to wait for the oven to heat up after you’ve already assembled everything.
2. Prepare the Baking Pan:
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. This step is essential to prevent the bars from sticking to the pan. If you prefer, you can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
3. Mix the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar with the cinnamon. Set this mixture aside. The cinnamon sugar will be sprinkled on top of the bars, giving them a golden, sweet, and slightly spicy crust that complements the creamy filling perfectly.
4. Prepare the Crescent Dough Layer:
Open one can of the crescent roll dough sheets. If you’re using regular crescent rolls, press all the seams together on a cutting board or work surface to form a sheet. Once ready, lay the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms the base of your bars and adds a nice, flaky texture.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. The consistency should be light and airy, so take your time to mix it thoroughly.
6. Spread the Cream Cheese Filling:
Carefully press the creamy mixture over the crescent dough, making sure it is spread evenly. The creamy filling will provide the signature flavor and texture of these bars, making them rich and indulgent.
7. Add the Top Crescent Dough Layer:
Open the second can of crescent dough sheets and place them over the cream cheese layer. There’s no need to press the dough down; just lay it gently on top. This creates a flaky, golden crust once baked.
8. Melt the Butter:
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. Once melted, brush it over the top layer of crescent dough. This will give the bars a beautifully golden, slightly crispy top.
9. Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar:
Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered crescent dough. This adds flavor, sweetness, and that signature cinnamon-spiced crunch.
10. Bake:
Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Check on the bars towards the end of the baking time to ensure they’re not overcooking. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil.
11. Cool and Cut:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a cooling rack. After they’ve cooled down, cut them into 24 squares. These bars are best served once they’ve had time to cool, as the filling will set and become easier to slice.
Notes
- Cream Cheese Consistency: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing it. This helps the filling achieve a smooth, lump-free texture. If it’s too cold, it can create clumps that will be hard to smooth out.
- Even Layers: Take care to spread the cream cheese mixture and top layer of dough evenly. This will ensure that every bite has a good balance of flavors and textures.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping: The cinnamon sugar is what gives the bars that irresistible, sweet crunch. Don’t skip this step! It’s also a good idea to add a little extra sugar on top if you like a sweeter crust.
- Check for Doneness: To ensure the bars are baked through, check that the edges are golden brown and the center is set. If the middle seems a little wobbly, bake for a few extra minutes.
The simplicity of this recipe doesn’t mean it lacks flavor or indulgence. The combination of cinnamon, sugar, and cream cheese is a crowd-pleaser, and the crescent roll dough helps create that flaky, buttery texture that contrasts so beautifully with the creamy center. If you’ve ever had cream cheese bars before, you know just how irresistible they can be, and these bars are no exception. You can enjoy them for breakfast with your coffee, as an afternoon snack, or as a sweet end to a meal. In just about 40 minutes, you’ll have a tray full of these golden, cinnamon-sugar-dusted bars ready to serve.
Whether you’re a beginner baker or someone looking for a quick recipe to satisfy a sweet craving, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are a great way to dive into the world of baking. So, roll up your sleeves, gather your ingredients, and let’s get baking!
Ingredients and Preparation
Before you get started, let’s make sure you have everything you need to make these easy Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars. With only six ingredients, you probably already have most of them in your kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar, divided
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 16 ounces refrigerated crescent roll dough sheets (if you don’t have crescent sheets, crescent rolls work too—just press the seams together)
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 5 tablespoons butter, melted
Alternative Ingredient Suggestions:
If you want to switch things up or don’t have all of the ingredients on hand, here are a few substitutions you can try:
- Crescent roll dough: If you’re out of crescent dough, you could substitute with puff pastry or pie crust dough, though it will slightly change the texture. Crescent dough creates a wonderfully flaky texture that’s hard to beat.
- Cream cheese: If you’re looking for a lighter version, low-fat cream cheese works well, though the texture might be a bit less rich.
- Vanilla extract: You can also try almond extract for a unique twist on the flavor.
- Butter: For a dairy-free option, you can substitute butter with margarine or a plant-based butter alternative.
Once you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to get baking!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Now that you have everything you need, follow these simple steps to create your Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars. The process is easy to follow and will have you in and out of the kitchen in no time.
1. Preheat the Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your oven is at the right temperature when you’re ready to bake your bars. You don’t want to have to wait for the oven to heat up after you’ve already assembled everything.
2. Prepare the Baking Pan:
Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or cooking spray. This step is essential to prevent the bars from sticking to the pan. If you prefer, you can also line the pan with parchment paper for easy removal after baking.
3. Mix the Cinnamon Sugar:
In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the granulated sugar with the cinnamon. Set this mixture aside. The cinnamon sugar will be sprinkled on top of the bars, giving them a golden, sweet, and slightly spicy crust that complements the creamy filling perfectly.
4. Prepare the Crescent Dough Layer:
Open one can of the crescent roll dough sheets. If you’re using regular crescent rolls, press all the seams together on a cutting board or work surface to form a sheet. Once ready, lay the dough evenly across the bottom of the prepared baking dish. This forms the base of your bars and adds a nice, flaky texture.
5. Make the Cream Cheese Filling:
In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and vanilla extract. Using an electric mixer or a stand mixer with the paddle attachment, beat the mixture on medium speed until smooth and fluffy. The consistency should be light and airy, so take your time to mix it thoroughly.
6. Spread the Cream Cheese Filling:
Carefully press the creamy mixture over the crescent dough, making sure it is spread evenly. The creamy filling will provide the signature flavor and texture of these bars, making them rich and indulgent.
7. Add the Top Crescent Dough Layer:
Open the second can of crescent dough sheets and place them over the cream cheese layer. There’s no need to press the dough down; just lay it gently on top. This creates a flaky, golden crust once baked.
8. Melt the Butter:
Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl or on the stovetop. Once melted, brush it over the top layer of crescent dough. This will give the bars a beautifully golden, slightly crispy top.
9. Sprinkle the Cinnamon Sugar:
Evenly sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture over the buttered crescent dough. This adds flavor, sweetness, and that signature cinnamon-spiced crunch.
10. Bake:
Place the baking pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown. Check on the bars towards the end of the baking time to ensure they’re not overcooking. If the top starts to brown too quickly, cover the pan loosely with aluminum foil.
11. Cool and Cut:
Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely on a cooling rack. After they’ve cooled down, cut them into 24 squares. These bars are best served once they’ve had time to cool, as the filling will set and become easier to slice.
Beginner Tips and Notes
- Cream Cheese Consistency: Make sure your cream cheese is softened to room temperature before mixing it. This helps the filling achieve a smooth, lump-free texture. If it’s too cold, it can create clumps that will be hard to smooth out.
- Even Layers: Take care to spread the cream cheese mixture and top layer of dough evenly. This will ensure that every bite has a good balance of flavors and textures.
- Cinnamon Sugar Topping: The cinnamon sugar is what gives the bars that irresistible, sweet crunch. Don’t skip this step! It’s also a good idea to add a little extra sugar on top if you like a sweeter crust.
- Check for Doneness: To ensure the bars are baked through, check that the edges are golden brown and the center is set. If the middle seems a little wobbly, bake for a few extra minutes.
Serving Suggestions
These Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are delicious on their own, but there are a few simple ways to elevate the experience:
- Whipped Cream: Top each bar with a dollop of freshly whipped cream for added richness and texture.
- Fresh Fruit: Pair the bars with some fresh berries, such as strawberries or raspberries, to balance the sweetness with a bit of tartness.
- Ice Cream: For an indulgent treat, serve the bars with a scoop of vanilla or cinnamon ice cream. The creaminess pairs beautifully with the cinnamon filling.
- Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these bars with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or even a latte. The flavors of cinnamon and cream cheese pair perfectly with your favorite hot beverage.
Storage Tips for Leftovers
If you happen to have any leftover bars (which might be a challenge!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. You can also freeze the bars for up to 3 months. Simply wrap them tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in a freezer-safe container. To enjoy, just thaw them in the fridge overnight.
Conclusion
Now that you have this simple, delicious recipe, it’s time to give it a try! Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a potluck, or just a special treat for yourself, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are sure to be a hit. And don’t forget to share your results! We’d love to hear how they turn out for you, and feel free to share any tweaks or variations you try. Leave a comment below, and let us know what you think.
Whether you’re a seasoned baker or a kitchen newbie, these Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars are a must-try. They’re simple to make, irresistibly delicious, and incredibly versatile. With a buttery, flaky crust, a creamy filling, and a warm cinnamon-sugar topping, these bars are sure to be a favorite in your dessert repertoire. They’re perfect for any occasion, from casual family gatherings to special celebrations. So go ahead, give this recipe a try, and watch how it becomes a go-to treat in your kitchen. Happy baking!
