Oh my goodness, snickerdoodle cookie bars are seriously one of my all-time favorite treats! I mean, who can resist that warm, gooey goodness with a sprinkle of cinnamon sugar on top? They remind me of cozy afternoons spent in my grandma’s kitchen, where the smell of cinnamon would waft through the air and make everything feel like a warm hug. These bars are not just delicious; they’re the perfect combination of chewy and soft, with just the right amount of sweetness. Trust me, once you taste them, you’ll understand why I make them for every get-together! They’re a total crowd-pleaser, and they disappear faster than you can say “snickerdoodle!”
Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened: This will give your cookie bars that rich, buttery flavor. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing!
- 1 cup granulated sugar: This adds sweetness and helps create that lovely chewy texture.
- 1 cup packed brown sugar: The molasses in brown sugar gives these bars a deeper flavor and keeps them moist. Just pack it tightly in the measuring cup!
- 2 large eggs: Eggs are essential for binding everything together and giving the bars their structure.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: A splash of vanilla elevates the flavor, making these bars taste even more delicious.
- 3 cups all-purpose flour: This is the base of your cookie bars; it gives them that lovely, soft texture.
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar: This ingredient is crucial for that classic snickerdoodle tang and chewy texture.
- 1 teaspoon baking soda: This helps the bars rise and become light and fluffy.
- 1/2 teaspoon salt: Just a pinch enhances all the other flavors in the bars.
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (for topping): This sprinkle on top is what makes them a true snickerdoodle! It adds that signature sweet and spicy finish.
How to Prepare Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is super important to ensure your cookie bars bake evenly!
- While that’s heating up, grab a large mixing bowl and cream together the softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and packed brown sugar until it’s light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with a hand mixer, or you can use a sturdy wooden spoon if you’re feeling old-school!
- Next, add in the two large eggs and the teaspoon of vanilla extract. Mix well until everything is combined. It should look smooth and a bit glossy—yum!
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt until well mixed. This ensures that the leavening agents are evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; you want those cookie bars to stay tender and soft!
- Now, it’s time to spread that delicious batter into a greased baking pan. I usually use a 9×13 inch pan, but you can line it with parchment paper for easier removal later on!
- Don’t forget to sprinkle the cinnamon sugar generously on top—this is where the magic happens! It gives your bars that characteristic snickerdoodle flavor.
- Pop them in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Keep an eye on them; they’re done when the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The smell will be heavenly!
- Once they’re baked to perfection, let the bars cool in the pan for about 10-15 minutes. This helps them set a bit more before you cut them into squares. Trust me, patience is key here!
Tips for Success
To ensure your snickerdoodle cookie bars turn out perfectly every time, I’ve got some handy tips to share with you! These little nuggets of wisdom can make all the difference, trust me!
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature. This helps them blend together smoothly, creating a nice creamy texture.
- Don’t Overmix: When combining the wet and dry ingredients, mix just until you see no more flour. Overmixing can lead to tough bars, and we definitely want them soft and chewy!
- Watch the Baking Time: Ovens can vary, so start checking your bars at the 20-minute mark. They’re ready when the edges are golden and the center looks set (it’ll firm up as it cools!).
- Cool Completely: Allowing the bars to cool in the pan helps them firm up nicely. Cutting them too soon can lead to messy results—nobody wants that!
- Experiment with Cinnamon Sugar: Feel free to customize your cinnamon sugar topping! Try adding a pinch of nutmeg or even some cocoa powder for a fun twist.
Follow these tips, and you’ll have snickerdoodle cookie bars that are the stuff of legends! Happy baking!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Quick to prepare: You can whip these up in just about 15 minutes of prep time—perfect for when you need a sweet treat in a hurry!
- Easy to make: With straightforward steps and simple ingredients, even novice bakers can feel like pros in the kitchen!
- Delightful flavor: The combination of warm cinnamon and sugary goodness will have your taste buds dancing with joy!
- Perfect for gatherings: These cookie bars are a total crowd-pleaser and are easy to share—just cut them into squares and watch them disappear!
- Versatile: You can enjoy them as a snack, dessert, or even breakfast treat—who doesn’t love cookies for breakfast?
Nutritional Information
Here’s the estimated nutritional breakdown for one delicious snickerdoodle cookie bar:
- Calories: 200
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
- Sodium: 150mg
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Sugar: 18g
- Protein: 2g
Keep in mind that these values are estimates and can vary based on the specific ingredients you use. But hey, a little indulgence never hurt anyone, right? Enjoy your treats with a smile!
FAQ Section
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, you can! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to about 1/4 teaspoon if you prefer. It’ll still taste amazing!
What if I don’t have cream of tartar?
No worries! You can substitute it with an equal amount of baking powder. Just keep in mind that it might slightly change the texture, but they’ll still be delicious!
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make them a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container at room temperature, and they’ll be perfect for your next sweet craving!
How do I know when the bars are done?
The best way to check is by looking for golden edges and a slightly soft center that is set. A toothpick inserted should come out clean or with just a few crumbs!
Can I add mix-ins like chocolate chips or nuts?
Definitely! Feel free to mix in some chocolate chips or nuts to give your snickerdoodle cookie bars an extra twist. Just make sure not to overload the batter—about a cup should do the trick!
Storage & Reheating Instructions
Storing your leftover snickerdoodle cookie bars properly is key to keeping them fresh and delicious! Here’s how I like to do it:
- Cool Completely: Make sure your bars are completely cooled before storing. This helps prevent them from getting soggy.
- Airtight Container: Place the cooled bars in an airtight container. If you’re stacking them, you might want to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together.
- Room Temperature: They can be stored at room temperature for up to a week. Just keep them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- Freezing: If you want to keep them for longer, these bars freeze beautifully! Just wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container. They’ll stay good for up to 3 months.
When you’re ready to enjoy your frozen bars, just take them out and let them thaw in the refrigerator overnight. No need to reheat them if you don’t want to—their chewy goodness is still amazing cold! But if you prefer them warm, pop them in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be careful not to overheat them, or they might get a little too soft!
Drucken
Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars: 7 Steps to Heavenly Bliss
- Gesamtzeit: 40 minutes
- Ertrag: 24 bars 1x
- Ernährung: Vegetarisch
Beschreibung
Delicious snickerdoodle cookie bars with cinnamon sugar.
Zutaten
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons cinnamon sugar (for topping)
Anweisungen
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar.
- Add eggs and vanilla, mixing well.
- In another bowl, combine flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into the wet mixture.
- Spread the batter into a greased baking pan.
- Sprinkle cinnamon sugar on top.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- Cool before cutting into bars.
Notes
- Store in an airtight container.
- Best enjoyed within a week.
- Can be frozen for up to 3 months.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Kochen Zeit: 25 minutes
- Kategorie: Dessert
- Methode: Baking
- Küche: American
Ernährung
- Portionsgröße: 1 bar
- Kalorien: 200
- Zucker: 18g
- Natrium: 150mg
- Fett: 9g
- Gesättigte Fettsäuren: 5g
- Ungesättigte Fette: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Kohlenhydrate: 29g
- Faser: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterin: 30mg
Keywords: snickerdoodle cookie bars
