Cinnamon Shortbread Bars Recipe

When you want cinnamon rolls, but don’t have time to wait for the dough to rise, bake cinnamon roll shortbread bars! They satisfy the craving because they use a cinnamon roll filling and frosting but are so much faster to make and are absolutely delicious.

Why You’ll Love These Cinnamon Shortbread Bars

This is my most viral recipe with over 4M views on Instagram alone. Here are some reasons why you’ll love it:

Quick and Easy: Enjoy the taste of cinnamon rolls without having to wait for the dough to rise. Shortbread is super easy and quick to make in comparison to traditional cinnamon roll dough.

Rich and Flavorful: The combination of a buttery shortbread crust, cinnamon filling, and creamy frosting are so delicious.

Perfect for Gifting: These bars make a perfect homemade gift. Pack them in a cute box or tin for a thoughtful, delicious, homemade present.

No Special Equipment Needed: To make these bars, you don’t need special baking equipment like a dough hook or a stand mixer. All you need are basic kitchen tools, such as a mixing bowl, a whisk, and a baking pan, making this recipe accessible for anyone to bake.

Any Time Treat: While cinnamon rolls are typically enjoyed for breakfast and brunch, these bars can be enjoyed as an afternoon snack or dessert.

Ingredients

Shortbread Crust Ingredients:

• Butter: Adds richness to the crust and creates a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Superfine White Sugar: Otherwise known as caster sugar or baker’s sugar, superfine sugar dissolves easily to create a smooth, sweet, and light-textured crust.
• Pure Vanilla Extract: Brings out the sweetness and adds a depth of flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure and base for the shortbread crust.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the crust.
• Turbinado Sugar: Adds a crunch to the top layer of the crust.

Cinnamon Roll Filling Ingredients:

• Butter: Contributes to the rich and creamy texture of the filling, making it spreadable and delicious.
• Brown Sugar: Adds just the right amount of sweetness to the filling.
• Cinnamon: Adds a warm, sweet flavor to the filling, making it taste just like a classic cinnamon roll.
• Vanilla Extract: Makes the filling taste even sweeter and more flavorful.

Cinnamon Roll Frosting Ingredients:

• Cream Cheese: Provides a creamy base for the frosting and that familiar cinnamon roll taste.
• Butter: Adds richness and a smooth, creamy texture to the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens the frosting while avoiding a grainy texture that may come with regular sugar.
• Vanilla Extract: Rounds out the flavors and makes the frosting taste amazing.

Equipment

• 9×9-inch Baking Pan: To bake the shortbread bars.
• Mixing Bowls: At least two mixing bowls—one for the shortbread dough and one for the filling and frosting.
• Whisk: For combining dry ingredients and mixing the frosting.
• Electric/Stand Mixer (optional): To cream the butter and sugar more efficiently, though this can also be done by hand with a spoon or spatula. If using a stand mixer, opt for a paddle attachment.
• Spatula or Wooden Spoon: For mixing the dough and spreading the filling.
• Rolling Pin: To roll out the top layer of shortbread dough.
• Parchment Paper: To line the baking pan for easier removal of the bars.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: For measuring ingredients.
• Cooling Rack: To cool the bars after baking.
• Knife or Bench Scraper: For slicing the bars into squares after they have cooled.

How to Make Cinnamon Shortbread Bars

#1. Prep and Preheat: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Prepare a 9×9-inch baking pan by greasing it and lining it with parchment paper.

#2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup butter, softened, and 3/4 cup superfine white sugar until light and fluffy.

#3. Add Vanilla: Mix in 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract until fully incorporated.

#4. Combine Dry Ingredients: Whisk together 2.5 cups of all-purpose flour and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a separate bowl.

#5. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.

#6. Press and Chill: Press about two-thirds of the dough into the prepared pan, reserving the remaining dough for the top layer. Refrigerate the crust for 15-30 minutes before baking.

#7. Bake: Par-Bake the crust in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, until it’s very lightly golden and no longer shiny on top. Avoid baking until golden brown. Allow the crust to cool slightly while prepping the filling.

#8. Prep Filling: In a small bowl, cream together 1/4 cup softened butter, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until combined.

#9. Spread Filling: Drop the cinnamon roll filling by the spoonful onto the partially baked shortbread crust and spread evenly. It’s okay if it begins to melt slightly.

#10. Create Top Layer: Roll out the remaining shortbread dough to about 1/8-inch thickness. Place flat clusters of dough on top of the filling to loosely form a lid. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon turbinado sugar over the top.

#11. Bake: Bake the assembled bars at 350°F for about 30-35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the filling is bubbling.

#12. Cool: Allow the bars to cool slightly before adding the frosting.

#13. Mix Frosting: In a mixing bowl, combine 1/4 cup cream cheese, 1/2 cup butter, 1 cup powdered sugar, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.

#14. Frost: Once the bars have cooled slightly, spread the cinnamon roll frosting evenly over the top.

#15. Enjoy: Slice the bars into squares using a sharp knife and enjoy!

Storing Cinnamon Shortbread Bars

You can keep your cinnamon shortbread bars in an airtight container at room temperature or in the fridge. If you store them in the fridge, let them come back to room temperature before serving. Make sure to cool completely before storing.

Tips for the Perfect Cinnamon Shortbread Bars

Save enough dough for the top lid: It’s super important to make sure you reserve enough dough for the top of your bars, about 1/3 of the total dough. After spreading the cinnamon filling, carefully roll out the remaining shortbread dough to about 1/8-inch thickness and place flat clusters of dough on top to form a loose lid. This will help protect the filling during baking, ensuring it stays gooey and delicious without burning. 

Chill the Dough for Perfect Texture: Chilling the dough is crucial for achieving that perfect shortbread texture. It helps the butter firm up, preventing the bars from spreading too much during baking. After pressing the dough into the pan, refrigerate it for at least 15-30 minutes. This step ensures a crumbly, melt-in-your-mouth crust that holds together.

Don’t Overbake the Crust: When baking the crust initially, aim for it to be very lightly golden. Avoid baking until it’s golden brown during the par-bake step. This prevents the crust from becoming too hard and ensures it remains soft. Keep an eye on the baking time and check around the 12- 15 minute mark.

Spread the Filling Evenly: Make sure to spread the cinnamon filling evenly over the partially baked crust. Dropping spoonfuls of filling and gently spreading it ensures that every bite has that delicious cinnamon roll taste. If the filling begins to melt slightly, that’s perfectly fine—it will create a gooey layer that blends with the shortbread.

Cinnamon Shortbread Bars Serving Suggestions

Pair with a hot drink: Serve with a cup of coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or even a spiced latte for a cozy snack.

With whipped cream and ice cream: Top the warm bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream, instead of the frosting. The creamy ice cream and whipped cream go great with the crumbly shortbread and cinnamon filling. Sprinkle a bit of cinnamon or caramel sauce on top for extra flavor.

Enjoy on their own: These bars are so good on their own that you can serve them as is!

FAQs

What’s the difference between a biscuit and a shortbread?

Shortbread is a buttery, crumbly dessert made with salted/unsalted butter, sugar, and flour. It’s denser than biscuits, which are lighter and can include ingredients like eggs and leavening agents. Shortbread is often enjoyed alone, while biscuits are versatile for both sweet and savory dishes.

What are common mistakes when making shortbread?

Common mistakes when making shortbread include overmixing the dough, using warm butter (or cold butter) instead of room temperature butter, not chilling the dough before baking, baking at too high a temperature, and overbaking, which can lead to a dry texture.

Is shortbread supposed to be hard or soft?

Shortbread is traditionally meant to be crumbly and slightly firm, with a texture that melts in your mouth rather than being soft or chewy like cookies.

Is it best to chill shortbread dough before baking?

Yes! Chill the dough in the refrigerator for about 15-30 minutes or so to firm up the cookies and prevent them from spreading too much.

Enjoying our cinnamon shortbread bar recipe?

I want to hear from you!

If you have any questions, let me know in the comments below. If you try this buttery shortbread bars recipe, I’d love to know what you think. Comment below or tag me on Instagram at @dee_and_sweets.

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