Snickerdoodle Bars

This recipe for Snickerdoodle Bars takes the cookie everybody loves and turns it into a sweet, chewy, cinnamon sugar bar! It’s an easy way to get your snickerdoodle fix without the extra work. Whip up a batch of these tasty treats for your friends and family today!

Snickerdoodles are one of my absolute favorite cookies, especially when they have that delightfully chewy texture with a slight crunch on the outside. I’ve been making them since I was little, but I’ll admit, they can be a little messy, and rolling individual cookies in the cinnamon sugar mixture is an extra step I don’t love.

That’s where these Snickerdoodle cookie bars come in. All you have to do is mix the dough, press it into the pan, and sprinkle the cinnamon and sugar all over the top of the bars before baking. Easy-peasy!

Thank goodness for bar cookies! They are such a time-saver and are perfect for a potluck or party. These Chocolate Chip Blondies are another favorite cookie bar, as are these M&M Blondies (switch out the colored M&Ms according to the season or holiday!)

Ingredients for Snickerdoodle Bar Cookies

Gather the classic cookie ingredients to make this simple recipe:

2 2/3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼ teaspoon freshly ground nutmeg

2 cups packed light brown sugar

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract

For Topping

2 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

No Cream of Tartar?

You might notice cream of tartar, which is a typical ingredient for snickerdoodle cookies, is missing from this recipe. The acidic ingredient gives a particular sour tang to snickerdoodles. BUT they don’t HAVE to have the cream of tartar!

The earliest recipes used baking powder, so you can argue that making them this way is more historically accurate. Yes, the texture is slightly different, but especially when you’re making bars, you’ll hardly notice.

How to make Snickerdoodle Bars

This Snickerdoodle bar recipe is quick and easy to make!

First, heat oven to 350 degrees and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by spraying it with nonstick cooking spray or lining it with parchment paper.

In a large bowl (or bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream butter and brown sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. This should take about 5 minutes.

Now, add the eggs one at a time, stirring until combined. Add the vanilla extract. Be sure to scrape down the sides as needed to make sure everything is fully incorporated.

Next, in a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

With the mixer on low, gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients until just combined. Turn the mixer off and use a rubber spatula or wooden spoon to scrape down the sides of the bowl and make sure all the dry ingredients are fully mixed in. Be sure not to over mix or the bars will become too dense when baked.

Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared pan. Use an offset spatula to spread the dough into a nice even layer.

Finally, in a small bowl, mix the sugar and cinnamon together for the topping. Sprinkle it generously over the top of the dough.

Bake for 25-30 minutes in the preheated oven until golden brown and until the surface springs back lightly when touched. Be sure to cool completely before cutting for best results. I use a cake tester inserted into the middle to test for doneness as well.

How to store Snickerdoodle Bars

You can wrap the pan in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store it at room temperature for 3-4 days. Or you can store individual pieces in an airtight container or wrapped in plastic wrap for the same amount of time.

Can you freeze this Snickerdoodle Bars recipe?

Yes, you can freeze these chewy Snickerdoodle bars! If you’re freezing the whole dish, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and then aluminum foil before freezing. Or wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag.

Thaw for a few hours or overnight on the counter before serving.

More Delicious Bar Recipes

Oh, I have all sorts of bar recipes on the blog for you to try. Pick one of these favorites to try next time:

O’Henry Bars – these family favorites are a sweet and chewy oat base covered in melted chocolate and peanut butter. They are most often requested during the holidays, too.

Funfetti Ooey Gooey Bars are easy dessert bars inspired by the classic birthday cake. Every bite of these buttery soft bars is packed with sweet vanilla flavor and plenty of sprinkles!

These hard to resist Easy Lemon Bars with a creamy lemon filling and a dusting of powdered sugar are just enough sweet, with the right amount of tartness.

Homemade Millionaire Bars combine layers of buttery shortbread crust, rich caramel, and velvety chocolate. They are like Twix bars, but so much better!

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*This post was Day 164 of the original 365 Days of Baking and was published on July 16, 2011. It has been updated in format and with photos.

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