Description
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars are soft, buttery dessert bars layered with a sweet cinnamon filling and topped with a smooth vanilla-cinnamon glaze. Inspired by nostalgic flavors, these bars are perfect for gatherings, holidays, or a cozy homemade treat.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (226 g)
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (200 g)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar (60 g)
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (315 g)
- 3/4 cup light brown sugar, packed (150 g)
- 1 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour (for filling)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (28 g)
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar (120 g) (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for glaze)
- 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for glaze)
- 1/8 teaspoon salt (for glaze)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (30–45 ml)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Line an 8-inch square baking dish with parchment paper and lightly grease.
- Cream softened butter and brown sugar together for about 3 minutes until fluffy. Add egg and mix well.
- Mix in confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, and salt. Gradually add flour and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Divide dough in half. Press one half evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
- Shape remaining dough into an 8×8-inch square on parchment paper and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the filling. Stir in melted butter until crumbly.
- Evenly spread the filling over the base layer.
- Carefully transfer the reserved dough square on top and gently press down.
- Bake for 30–40 minutes until lightly golden and center is set. Cool completely in the pan.
- Whisk together glaze ingredients, adding cream gradually until smooth and pourable.
- Lift bars out using parchment, spread glaze evenly on top, allow to set, then slice and serve.
Notes
- Do not overmix the dough to keep bars tender.
- Bars taste even better the next day after flavors settle.
- Double recipe and bake in a 9×13-inch pan for larger batches.
- Store at room temperature up to 4 days or refrigerate up to 6 days.
- Freeze fully cooled bars up to 3 months.
- Add chopped nuts or chocolate chips for variation.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 420 kcal
- Sugar: 34 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 21 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg
