Chewy Snickerdoodle Bars

Featured in Irresistible Desserts.

Mix butter, sugar, eggs and vanilla, add dry ingredients, press into pan, sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, bake until edges are golden but center is still soft.
Ranah
Updated on Sat, 19 Apr 2025 19:49:19 GMT
A stack of brownies with cinnamon. Pin it
A stack of brownies with cinnamon. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

These Chewy Snickerdoodle Bars transform the classic cookie into an easy-to-make bar form with the same irresistible cinnamon-sugar flavor and soft, chewy texture. Perfect for bake sales, potlucks, or anytime you need a comforting treat.

When I brought these to my son's school bake sale, the teachers kept coming back for 'just one more piece.' The custodian even asked me to leave the recipe in the office! That cinnamon-sugar topping brings back childhood memories while the chewy center satisfies every sweet tooth.

Essential Ingredients

  • All-purpose flour: Provides structure (2¼ cups)
  • Cream of tartar: Classic snickerdoodle tang (2 tsp)
  • Cinnamon: Warm spice flavor (1 tbsp total)
  • Butter: Richness and chew (1 cup softened)
  • Brown sugar: Moisture and depth (1 cup packed)
A stack of cake bars with a brown sugar topping. Pin it
A stack of cake bars with a brown sugar topping. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prep
Preheat oven to 350°F, line 9x13 pan with parchment
Step 2: Dry ingredients
Whisk flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt
Step 3: Cream butter
Beat butter with sugars until light and fluffy
Step 4: Combine
Add eggs and vanilla, then gradually mix in dry ingredients
Step 5: Layer
Press dough into pan, sprinkle cinnamon-sugar topping
Step 6: Bake
20-25 minutes until edges are golden but center is soft

The Perfect Texture

The key to these bars' irresistible chewiness is the combination of brown sugar and careful baking time. They'll puff up in the oven but settle into dense, chewy perfection as they cool. For fudgier bars, bake just until the edges pull away from the pan.

A stack of cake bars. Pin it
A stack of cake bars. | yummyflavorsrecipes.com

Serving Suggestions

  • Dust with powdered sugar for extra sweetness
  • Serve warm with vanilla ice cream
  • Pair with spiced chai tea
  • Cut into small squares for cookie platters

I once substituted baking powder for cream of tartar in a pinch - the bars were tasty but lacked that signature snickerdoodle zing. Now I always keep cream of tartar stocked just for this recipe!

What began as a cookie shortcut has become my most requested baked good. That first bite of cinnamon-sugar crust giving way to a buttery, chewy center never fails to delight - whether served at room temperature with coffee or still warm from the oven.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ How do I know when the snickerdoodle bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but still soft. They will continue to firm up as they cool, so it's better to slightly underbake than overbake for the chewiest texture.
→ Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes! These bars can be made 1-2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature to maintain their chewy texture.
→ Can I freeze snickerdoodle bars?
Absolutely. Once completely cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then aluminum foil or place in a freezer-safe container. They'll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
→ Why did my bars come out cakey instead of chewy?
This could be due to overmixing the batter, using too much flour, or overbaking. For chewy bars, mix just until ingredients are combined, measure flour correctly (preferably by weight), and be careful not to overbake.
→ Can I add other ingredients to these bars?
Yes! White chocolate chips, butterscotch chips, or chopped nuts would be delicious additions. Fold about 1 cup of add-ins into the batter before spreading it in the pan.

Cinnamon Sugar Snickerdoodle Bars

All the flavor of classic snickerdoodle cookies in an easy-to-make bar form - soft, chewy, and topped with the perfect cinnamon-sugar coating.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
30 Minutes
Total Time
45 Minutes
By: Ranah


Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 24 Servings (24 bars)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

→ Bar Base

01 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
02 2 cups granulated sugar
03 2 large eggs
04 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
06 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
07 1 teaspoon baking soda
08 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Cinnamon Sugar Topping

09 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
10 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

Instructions

Step 01

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal, or spray with non-stick cooking spray.

Step 02

In a small bowl, mix together the 2 tablespoons of sugar and 2 teaspoons of cinnamon. Set aside.

Step 03

In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and 2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 04

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

Step 05

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.

Step 06

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick.

Step 07

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. This can be a bit tricky as the dough is sticky - using slightly dampened hands or a spatula helps.

Step 08

Sprinkle the cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the top of the dough.

Step 09

Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs (not wet batter). Do not overbake if you want chewy bars.

Step 10

Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before cutting into squares.

Notes

  1. These bars will stay soft and chewy for several days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature.
  2. For extra flavor, you can add 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon to the bar batter as well as using it in the topping.
  3. Cream of tartar gives snickerdoodles their distinctive tangy flavor. Don't skip this ingredient for authentic taste.

Tools You'll Need

  • 9x13 inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Electric mixer
  • Mixing bowls
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Wire cooling rack

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains dairy (butter)
  • Contains eggs
  • Contains gluten (flour)

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 185
  • Total Fat: 8 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 28 g
  • Protein: 2 g