I remember the first time I made these Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars and I was so excited but I also felt nervous because my kitchen is always a little messy and I worried that the dough might tear or the sugar filling would spill everywhere but somehow everything came together and when I took them out of the oven I was amazed at how soft and gooey they were and my kids ran in from the other room and started tasting them before I even had a chance to slice them properly and I laughed because it was chaos but it felt so warm and happy in that moment.
One afternoon I tried making the Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart Bars again and I accidentally added too much brown sugar and at first I thought it might be too sweet and maybe my family wouldn’t like it but when we all tasted them together we couldn’t stop laughing and everyone said it was perfect because the extra sweetness made it taste like a little treat from a bakery and I felt proud even though it wasn’t exactly how I planned it and that little mistake made the bars even more fun to eat.
Another time I was rolling out the dough for the Brown Sugar Cinnamon PopTart Bars and it stuck to the counter and I wanted to cry because I thought I had ruined everything but then I carefully lifted it and pressed it back onto the pan and baked it anyway and it still turned out golden and soft and it reminded me that baking doesn’t have to be perfect and that sometimes the best treats come from little accidents and those bars tasted so yummy that day that even my picky teenager asked for seconds.
I’ve also tried eating these bars with so many different things and they are amazing with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot chocolate and they taste delicious with a little scoop of vanilla ice cream or some peanut butter spread on top and even with a drizzle of caramel sauce or some fresh strawberries or blueberries they are so good and I once crumbled them over a bowl of yogurt and it was surprisingly tasty and every way I tried them with a slice of Apple Cinnamon Coffee Cake that makes it so cozy and special.
ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup cold water
- 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 egg, beaten
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for glaze
ingredients notes
Using all-purpose flour helps the bars hold together nicely and it’s soft enough to bite into easily and unsalted butter makes sure the sweetness is balanced and it adds richness while brown sugar gives a sweet, chewy, caramel-like taste and cinnamon adds a warm, cozy flavor and vanilla extract makes everything taste extra yummy and the egg helps the dough stick together and gives a nice golden top and powdered sugar is for a smooth, sweet glaze that melts a little when you eat it.
How to make Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars ?
step 1: make the dough
In a big bowl mix flour, salt, and granulated sugar then add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix everything until it looks like tiny crumbs then slowly add vanilla extract and cold water and mix until the dough comes together and form it into a ball and cover it in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
step 2: prepare the filling
In a small bowl mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and make sure there are no lumps and the mixture smells sweet and spicy then set it aside and it will be the yummy filling for your bars.
step 3: roll out the dough
Take out the chilled dough and cut it in half and on a floured surface roll out one half into a rectangle shape and make it about 1/4 inch thick and transfer it carefully to a baking pan lined with parchment paper and press it down gently to fit the pan.
step 4: add the filling
Sprinkle the brown sugar cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough rectangle and spread it gently but make sure it covers all the dough and the sugar and cinnamon will stick a little to the dough.
step 5: top layer
Roll out the second half of the dough into a rectangle the same size as the first one and place it on top of the filling gently and press the edges together to seal the filling inside and make small slits on top with a knife to let steam escape while baking.
step 6: egg wash
Brush the top with the beaten egg carefully to make it shiny and golden and this will help the bars look pretty when they are done baking.
step 7: bake
Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C and bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and it smells amazing then take it out and let it cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or rectangles.
step 8: make the glaze
In a small bowl mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth and if it is too thick add a little more milk and if it is too thin add more powdered sugar and drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars and it will make them look extra delicious.
step 9: serve
Cut into bars or rectangles and serve them on a plate for breakfast, snack, or dessert and everyone will love the soft, sweet, cinnamon flavor and enjoy the crunchy edges and chewy middle.
kitchen equipment needed
- Large mixing bowl
- Small mixing bowl
- Pastry cutter or fork
- Rolling pin
- Baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Knife
- Spoon for spreading filling
- Whisk for glaze
- Pastry brush
storage options
You can store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days and if you want them longer keep them in the fridge for up to one week and before serving you can warm them in the microwave for ten to twenty seconds and they will taste fresh and soft and the glaze will melt a little and make them extra yummy, and if you want to freeze them wrap each bar in plastic wrap and put in a freezer bag and they will last for up to three months and thaw them at room temperature before eating and it is best to eat them within a day after thawing for the best taste and texture.
variations
You can add chocolate chips to the cinnamon sugar filling and it will make a chocolate-cinnamon surprise in every bite and you can add chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts for a little crunch and nutty flavor and try apple pieces or apple sauce in the filling and it will taste like a mini apple pie and you can use maple syrup in the glaze instead of milk for a maple flavor and finally you can add a tiny pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon sugar and it will make it smell even more cozy and warm and all these variations will make your Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars unique and fun and each version is easy to make and delicious.
faq
what is this Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars recipe made of?
This recipe is made of soft all-purpose flour dough, sweet brown sugar, warm cinnamon, butter, egg, and a shiny glaze and it is simple ingredients but they come together to make a soft, chewy, and sweet treat that is fun to eat and smells amazing while baking.
what does this Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tarts Bar taste like?
It tastes like a sweet and warm cinnamon sugar snack with a buttery crust and chewy middle and the glaze on top makes it taste even sweeter and it is soft but has a little crunch on the edges and it smells like a cozy bakery in your kitchen.
can I use salted butter?
Yes and it will taste a little saltier but still yummy and the brown sugar and cinnamon will balance the flavor nicely.
can I make it gluten-free?
Yes if you use a gluten-free flour blend and it will change the texture a little but it will still be sweet and delicious.
can I make mini pop-tarts?
Yes roll the dough thinner and cut smaller rectangles and they will bake faster and be perfect for lunchboxes.
is it okay to freeze them?
Yes wrap each bar in plastic wrap and store in a freezer bag and they will last for up to three months and thaw before eating.
can I use honey instead of glaze?
Yes and it will be sticky and sweet and taste slightly different but still yummy and fun to eat.
how long will they last?
At room temperature they last up to three days and in the fridge up to one week and frozen up to three months and they taste best fresh but are still tasty after storage.
Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop-Tart Bars
Course: BreakfastCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy12
servings20
minutes30
minutes250
kcal50
minutesSoft and chewy cinnamon sugar bars with buttery crust and sweet glaze perfect for breakfast or snack.
Ingredients
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
1/4 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
1 egg, beaten
1 cup powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for glaze
Directions
- In a big bowl mix flour, salt, and granulated sugar then add the cold butter cubes and use your fingers or a pastry cutter to mix everything until it looks like tiny crumbs then slowly add vanilla extract and cold water and mix until the dough comes together and form it into a ball and cover it in plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes.
- In a small bowl mix brown sugar and cinnamon together and make sure there are no lumps and the mixture smells sweet and spicy then set it aside and it will be the yummy filling for your bars.
- Take out the chilled dough and cut it in half and on a floured surface roll out one half into a rectangle shape and make it about 1/4 inch thick and transfer it carefully to a baking pan lined with parchment paper and press it down gently to fit the pan.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar cinnamon mixture evenly over the dough rectangle and spread it gently but make sure it covers all the dough and the sugar and cinnamon will stick a little to the dough.
- Roll out the second half of the dough into a rectangle the same size as the first one and place it on top of the filling gently and press the edges together to seal the filling inside and make small slits on top with a knife to let steam escape while baking.
- Brush the top with the beaten egg carefully to make it shiny and golden and this will help the bars look pretty when they are done baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F or 175°C and bake the bars for 25 to 30 minutes or until the top is golden brown and it smells amazing then take it out and let it cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares or rectangles.
- In a small bowl mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth and if it is too thick add a little more milk and if it is too thin add more powdered sugar and drizzle the glaze over the cooled bars and it will make them look extra delicious.
- Cut into bars or rectangles and serve them on a plate for breakfast, snack, or dessert and everyone will love the soft, sweet, cinnamon flavor and enjoy the crunchy edges and chewy middle.
