These brown sugar bars are the kind of recipe I love sharing because they look simple, but they deliver big on flavor and texture when they’re done right. With my pastry background, I’m always paying attention to the little details that take a dessert from good to genuinely worth making again, and these bars have gone through enough testing in my kitchen to earn a spot on that list!
The shortbread dough works as both the base and topping, which keeps the recipe easy, but the real magic is in the filling. It has that warm brown sugar cinnamon flavor that brings back everything people love about those classic brown sugar cinnamon pop tarts, only richer, more buttery, and so much better homemade. The contrast of crisp, tender shortbread with the soft, slightly chewy center is exactly what makes these bars so hard to stop eating. Nothing beats a brown sugar dessert!!
This recipe was inspired by my shortbread cookie sandwiches , lard pie crust, and my cinnamon shortbread cookies, and my strawberry jam cookies. These recipes are for you if you love buttery cookie with a twist or sugar cookie bars.
Jump to:
Why you'll love this simple brown sugar bar recipe
- Shortbread dough is made once but used for the base and the top making it effortless and not as time consuming!
- Shortbread bars are baked in an 8X8 pan. Bar recipes are great when you don't want to spend time with individual portions.
- Cinnamon brown sugar filling has a hint of maple syrup adding flavor and a little chew making them extra special and delicious.
Baking Tips
- Using a kitchen scale is a total game changer for baking. It makes measuring ingredients super precise, so your recipe comes out perfect every single time. Plus, fewer measuring cups means less cleanup, and who doesn’t love that? Invest in one, and you’ll wonder how you ever baked without it!
- I absolutely love baking with fine kosher salt, it gives the perfect balance of flavor. Table salt, on the other hand, can be a bit too harsh, so if you're using it, be sure to cut the amount in half to avoid over salting your treats.
- Always check your oven temperature! Ovens can be sneaky, sometimes running hotter or cooler than what the dial says, and that can really affect how your baked goods turn out. For the most consistent results, I recommend using an oven thermometer to make sure your temps are spot on every time
Brown Sugar Bar Ingredients
You'll need the following ingredients to make these delicious pop tart cookie bars:
- Shortbread is all about butter! High quality butter salted butter makes a difference when making dough that only calls for a few ingredients. The butter should be room temperature. If you do not have salted butter, add ½ teaspoon of kosher salt.
- Granulated and powdered sugar, the addition of powdered sugar is important because powdered sugar has cornstarch in it creating that melt in your mouth texture.
- Vanilla extract adds dimension and flavor, it also makes all of the other flavors pop.
- Dark brown sugar has more molasses in it creating a richer flavor and it creates more moisture.
- Ground cinnamon should be high quality to make that cinnamon flavor shine!
See recipe card below for quantities.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Bar Variations
- Nuts: Pecans or walnuts would be an amazing addition, I'd add half a cup over the brown sugar mixture.
- Fruit: Cooked apples in the center would be so dreamy!! My raspberry bars are bliss!
- With chocolate chips would be dreamy, chocolate makes everything better. Sprinkle ½ cup - 1 cup over the filling.
- Drizzling these bars with cream cheese icing would take them to the next level. You can also make a cinnamon vanilla glaze for the top!!
- Coffee: Add espresso powder in some way, what a delicious combo!!
This recipe has not been tested with other substitutions. These are just suggestions.
How to make Brown Sugar Bars
Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350℉ Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper. Beat the butter, vanilla, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Add the flour in 2 separate batches, mixing until combined and a dough forms. Divide the dough in half. Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan using your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown. While the base is baking, make the filling.
Step 3: Place all of the filling ingredients in a medium bowl, mix until combined and smooth.
Step 4: When the base comes out of the oven, dollop pieces of the filling evenly over the base.
Step 5: Using the other half of the dough, tear off small pieces of the dough, dollop them evenly over the filling. You can flatten the pieces for a smoother look.
Step 6: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving. Finish with flaky sea salt or cinnamon glaze if desired.
Hint: Cream the butter and sugars until light, fluffy, and the sugars are dissolved, about 2 minutes. Also, flaky sea salt on top is such a game changer!
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bar Pro tips
- Baking the base layer before adding the cinnamon filling is key to creating a crisp crust. If you skip this step the bars will be soggy.
- The top of the bars will be golden brown when done, they shouldn't be blonde. There's nothing worse than a soft shortbread bar.
- Line the pan with parchment paper, making sure it goes up and over the sides for easy removal.
- Dollop the brown sugar mixture evenly over the base, use the same method for the shortbread topping. Photos above show how to dollop the dough and filling.
Chewy Brown Sugar Bars FAQs
You can use a hand mixer or stand mixer, making these by hand would be very tough to get everything incorporated and would take much longer.
Yes! Place the bars in an air tight container or freezer safe bag for up to 2 months. Make sure everything is sealed well.
I recommend making two batches to ensure the right texture and the bottom doesn't get soggy.
How to store cinnamon bars
Room Temperature Instructions: Keep the bars in a cookie tin or airtight container for up to 5 days.
Freezing Instructions: Store in an airtight freezer safe container for up to 2 months. Let thaw at room temperature before eating.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Did you try this recipe? Leave a ⭐️ rating below and share it on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest!
More like this from Stir Taste Smile:
📖 Recipe
Brown Sugar Bars
Equipment
- Handheld or stand mixer
- Mixing bowls
- 8X8 metal baking pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Kitchen Scale if weighing
Ingredients
- 17 tbsp (248 grams) salted butter room temperature (if you don't have salted butter, add an additional ½ teaspoon of fine kosher salt)
- ½ cup (104 grams) granulated sugar
- ¼ cup (31 grams) powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315 grams) all purpose flour fluffed, spooned in the cups, and leveled if not weighing
- ¼ teaspoon fine kosher salt
Brown Sugar Filling
- ¾ cup (168 grams) dark brown sugar dark is best but you could use light brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon (6 grams) ground cinnamon
- 1 ½ tablespoons (21 grams) salted butter melted
- 2 tablespoons (36 grams) maple syrup
- 1 tablespoon (10 grams) all purpose flour
Cinnamon icing for topping, optional. If you prefer them less sweet, skip the icing
- ⅔ cup (80 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon milk
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉ Line an 8X8 pan with parchment paper.
- Beat the butter, vanilla, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Whisk together the flour and salt, add the flour and salt in 2 separate batches, mixing until combined and a dough forms.
- Divide the dough in half. Press one half of the dough evenly into the bottom of the pan using your fingers or the bottom of a measuring cup.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the base is baking, make the filling.
Brown Sugar Filling
- Place all of the filling ingredients in a medium bowl, mix until combined and smooth.
- When the base comes out of the oven, dollop pieces of the filling evenly over the base.
Topping
- Using the other half of the dough, tear off small pieces of the dough, dollop them evenly over the filling. See photos above. You can flatten the pieces for a smoother look.
- Bake for 24 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool before serving. Finish with flaky sea salt.
Cinnamon icing for topping, optional
- Mix all of the icing ingredients together until smooth, adding more or less milk as needed to reach your desired consistency.
Kelsey says
They really were wayyyy better than a pop tarts!
Michele says
I made these for an after work get together. Everyone went nuts! None were left. Will definitely make again.
Amanda says
I love hearing that!! thank you for taking the time to leave a review 🙂
Min says
This bar deserves a glory of its own.
Amanda says
well that's the best comment!! thank you so much!
Melissa Marney says
These brown sugar bars are absolutely decadent. Be sure to add the salt if you're using unsalted butter. A must! The Maldon salt in top is perfect. They're very crumbly though. Just wonderful
Amanda says
Thank you so much for leaving a review!! I agree, the salt is a game changer! glad you enjoyed them 🙂
Courtney says
I had to give these away because I knew I’d eat too many!! Thanks for an amazing recipe 🙂
Amanda says
haha they are addictive!! Thank you Courtney!
Virginia says
I make these every time I need a dessert for a party!!!
Amanda says
woohoo! love that, thank you!