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Welcome to my kitchen! Today, I’m sharing my foolproof cinnamon sugar blondies recipe, a dessert that’s always a hit at family gatherings and potlucks. I first tried a version of these at my neighbor’s holiday cookie exchange three years ago, and I immediately went home to recreate them. After several batches (and lots of taste-testing by my kids!), I perfected this recipe. These cinnamon blondies are perfect for anyone who loves that warm, cozy spice of cinnamon paired with buttery, chewy bars. They’re incredibly easy to make—no mixer required—and they disappear faster than I can bake them. If you’re looking for soft cinnamon sugar bars that taste like a snickerdoodle cookie met a brownie and had the most delicious baby, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive in and see why these chewy cinnamon blondies are a must-try!

Quick Recipe Facts

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Difficulty: Easy
Calories: ~220 per bar

Friendly touch: This cinnamon blondies recipe is surprisingly quick and easy – perfect for busy afternoons when you need a homemade treat without all the fuss!

Ingredients

For the Blondie Base:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1½ cups packed light brown sugar
2 large eggs, room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

For the Cinnamon Sugar Topping:

3 tablespoons granulated sugar
1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

Optional Add-ins:

½ cup white chocolate chips
½ cup chopped pecans or walnuts

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. This little trick makes cutting your cinnamon blondies so much cleaner!

Step 2: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the melted butter and brown sugar until smooth and glossy, about 1 minute. This helps dissolve the sugar slightly and creates that signature shiny top.

Step 3: Add the eggs one at a time, whisking well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should look smooth and slightly fluffy.

Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon. This ensures even distribution of the spices throughout your easy cinnamon blondies.

Step 5: Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients using a rubber spatula. Mix just until no flour streaks remain—don’t overmix! Overmixing develops gluten and can make your bars tough instead of tender and chewy.

Step 6: If using, fold in your chocolate chips or nuts at this stage.

Step 7: Spread the batter evenly into your prepared pan. Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth the top.

Step 8: In a small bowl, mix together the 3 tablespoons of sugar and 1 tablespoon of cinnamon for the topping. Sprinkle this generously and evenly over the batter—don’t be shy! This creates that gorgeous cinnamon sugar crust we’re after.

Step 9: Bake for 23-27 minutes, or until the edges are set and golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The center should still look slightly underdone—it will continue to set as it cools, giving you those perfectly chewy blondies.

Step 10: Let the pan cool on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before lifting out using the parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares and enjoy!

This simple cinnamon blondies recipe delivers perfectly chewy cinnamon blondies in 40 minutes!

Pro Tips

Tip 1: Don’t skip letting the melted butter cool for a few minutes before adding your eggs. If it’s too hot, you’ll end up with scrambled eggs in your batter—not ideal!

Tip 2: Use room temperature eggs for better incorporation and a fluffier texture. Just place them in warm water for 5 minutes if you forgot to take them out ahead of time.

Tip 3: For an extra special touch, brown your butter before making these cinnamon blondies. It adds a nutty, caramelized depth that takes them to the next level. Just remember to let it cool completely and measure after browning, as some liquid will evaporate.

Tip 4: Line your pan with parchment paper instead of just greasing it. Trust me, it makes cleanup a breeze and helps you get perfect, clean-cut bars every time.

Tip 5: If you love extra cinnamon flavor, add a cinnamon swirl! Reserve ¼ cup of batter, mix in an extra teaspoon of cinnamon, and dollop it on top before swirling with a knife.

Tip 6: Don’t overbake! These should look slightly underdone in the center when you pull them out. They’ll firm up as they cool and stay beautifully soft and chewy.

Serving Suggestions

These cinnamon sugar blondies are delicious served warm or at room temperature. I love cutting them into squares and serving them on a pretty platter for parties—they always disappear first!

Pair them with a hot cup of coffee or spiced chai tea for the ultimate cozy afternoon snack. For dessert, serve them slightly warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a dollop of fresh whipped cream. The warm cinnamon spice against cold, creamy ice cream is absolutely heavenly.

They’re also wonderful crumbled over yogurt for breakfast (I won’t tell!) or packed into lunchboxes for a homemade treat. If you’re feeling fancy, drizzle them with a simple vanilla glaze or cream cheese frosting for an extra layer of sweetness.

Storage & Reheating

Store your soft cinnamon sugar bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. I like to place a piece of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking. Whatever you do, don’t refrigerate them—the cold air will dry them out and make them lose that soft, chewy texture we worked so hard to achieve!

To refresh leftover bars, warm them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. This brings back that just-baked softness and makes the cinnamon sugar topping even more fragrant. You can also warm them in a 300°F oven for about 5 minutes if you’re reheating several at once.

For longer storage, these freeze beautifully! Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature for about an hour, or warm them straight from frozen in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

These soft cinnamon sugar bars are the easiest dessert you’ll ever make!

Health & Nutrition Info

Each cinnamon sugar blondie contains approximately 220 calories, depending on whether you add chocolate chips or nuts. While these are definitely a treat, you can make some simple swaps to lighten them up a bit.

For a dairy-free version, substitute the butter with coconut oil or vegan butter. For gluten-free cinnamon blondies, use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend—I’ve had great success with this swap, and they turn out just as delicious.

To reduce the sugar, you can use ¾ cup of brown sugar and ¾ cup of coconut sugar instead of the full 1½ cups of brown sugar. The coconut sugar adds a lovely caramel note while being slightly less processed. You could also try using monk fruit sweetener or stevia blends designed for baking, though I haven’t tested these personally.

Adding nuts increases the protein and healthy fats, making these bars a bit more satisfying. The cinnamon itself has anti-inflammatory properties and may help regulate blood sugar, so at least we’re getting some nutritional benefits from our spice!

Looking for a foolproof cinnamon blondies recipe? These chewy cinnamon blondies never disappoint!

Conclusion

There you have it—perfectly chewy, warmly spiced cinnamon sugar blondies that are ridiculously easy to make and even easier to devour! These bars have become my go-to recipe when I need something quick but impressive, whether for bake sales, potlucks, or just a weekend treat for my family.

I’d love to hear how your cinnamon blondies turn out! Drop a comment below, rate the recipe, and don’t forget to share a photo on Instagram—tag me so I can see your beautiful bars. If you loved this recipe, you might also enjoy my brown butter blondies or my cinnamon roll cookie bars.

Happy baking, friends! Try these cinnamon sugar blondies this week and let me know how they turned out. I promise they’ll become a new favorite in your recipe collection!

FAQ

Can I freeze this recipe?
Absolutely! Your cinnamon sugar blondies freeze beautifully. Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe container or bag for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm them straight from the freezer in the microwave for 20-30 seconds.

What if I don’t have brown sugar?
In a pinch, you can substitute granulated white sugar, but your blondies won’t have quite the same chewy texture or caramel depth. For a better substitute, mix 1½ cups white sugar with 2 tablespoons of molasses to create your own brown sugar.

Can I make these ahead of time?
Yes! These cinnamon sugar blondies actually taste even better the next day once the flavors have had time to meld. Bake them up to 2 days ahead and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. They’re perfect for party prep!

How can I adjust the sweetness?
If you prefer less sweet bars, reduce the brown sugar to 1¼ cups and use only 2 tablespoons of sugar in the topping instead of 3. You can also skip the topping entirely and just incorporate all the cinnamon into the batter for a more subtle sweetness.

Can I make these in a different pan size?
Sure! For thicker bars, use a 9×9-inch pan and increase the baking time by about 5-8 minutes. For thinner, crispier bars, use a larger pan like 10×15 inches and reduce the baking time by about 5 minutes. Just watch them carefully and test with a toothpick.

What’s the difference between blondies and brownies?
Blondies are essentially “blonde brownies”—they use brown sugar and butter as the base instead of chocolate, giving them that gorgeous golden color and butterscotch-like flavor. These easy cinnamon blondies have all that chewy, dense texture you love in brownies, but with warm cinnamon spice instead of chocolate.

Can I add a glaze or frosting?
Definitely! A simple vanilla glaze (powdered sugar mixed with milk and vanilla) or cream cheese frosting would be delicious drizzled over these bars. Just wait until they’re completely cool before adding any frosting.

Why are my blondies cakey instead of chewy?
This usually happens from overbaking or using too much flour. Make sure you’re measuring your flour correctly (spoon it into the measuring cup and level off, don’t pack it). Also, pull them from the oven when the center still looks slightly underdone—they’ll continue to set as they cool, giving you that perfect chewy texture.

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Chewy Cinnamon Sugar Blondies

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