Description
Crispy Cinnamon Ribbon Bars are delightful layered treats featuring a soft, buttery batter interspersed with a cinnamon-sugar and walnut filling, topped with a crunchy cinnamon-sugar crust. Perfect for dessert or a sweet snack, these bars combine warm spices and textures in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Wet Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Filling and Topping
- 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (for topping)
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish to prevent sticking.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly blended.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes fluffy and pale in color. Then add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well for a smooth batter.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients: Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently just until everything is combined to avoid overmixing.
- Layer the Batter – First Layer: Spread half of the batter evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking dish, creating a smooth surface.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar and Walnut Filling: In another bowl, combine the brown sugar, chopped walnuts if using, and cinnamon; then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter layer.
- Top with Remaining Batter: Carefully spoon the remaining batter over the cinnamon sugar filling, spreading it gently so as not to disturb the layer beneath.
- Apply Topping: Mix the tablespoon of granulated sugar with the teaspoon of cinnamon and sprinkle this evenly over the top layer of batter for a crispy crust.
- Bake: Place the baking dish in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges turn golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before slicing into squares for serving.
Notes
- You can omit the walnuts for a nut-free version or substitute with pecans for a different flavor.
- Ensure the butter is softened but not melted for the best texture in the batter.
- Do not overmix the batter to keep the bars tender and crispy.
- These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For extra crunch, consider adding a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking.
