Description

Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars are a delightful twist on classic cinnamon rolls, featuring a soft, moist yellow cake base swirled with cinnamon and brown sugar, all topped with a creamy vanilla glaze. These bars offer an easy-to-make, shareable dessert or breakfast treat that delivers the comforting flavors of a cinnamon roll in a convenient bar form.

Ingredients

Scale

Base Ingredients

1 box yellow cake mix (or any non-pork variety)
1/3 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Cinnamon Swirl

1 tablespoon cinnamon
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed

Glaze

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk (or a non-dairy milk alternative)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions

Prepare the Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper to ensure easy removal of the bars. In a large mixing bowl, combine the yellow cake mix, melted butter, eggs, and vanilla extract; mix thoroughly until the batter is smooth and spreadable but thick.
Spread the Batter: Pour the prepared batter evenly into the greased or lined baking dish, creating a uniform base layer for the bars.
Make the Cinnamon Swirl: In a small bowl, mix together the cinnamon and brown sugar until well combined. Evenly sprinkle this mixture over the cake batter in the pan.
Swirl the Cinnamon Mixture: Using a knife or toothpick, gently swirl the cinnamon-sugar mixture into the cake batter. Be careful not to overmix—just a few swirls will create the signature cinnamon roll effect within the bars.
Bake the Bars: Bake the pan in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center; it should come out clean. The edges of the bars should be golden while the top is slightly firm to the touch.
Cool: Allow the bars to cool in the baking dish for about 10 minutes to firm up, then transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely, which helps the glaze adhere better.
Prepare the Glaze: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Add more milk if the glaze is too thick to drizzle easily.
Glaze the Bars: Drizzle the prepared glaze evenly over the cooled cinnamon bars, ensuring each piece receives a generous coating for sweetness and added moisture.

Notes

You can substitute the yellow cake mix with a dairy-free or egg-free option to accommodate dietary restrictions.
For a vegan alternative, use a vegan cake mix, plant-based butter, and a milk substitute such as almond or oat milk.
To enhance the cinnamon flavor, you can add a pinch of nutmeg or allspice to the cinnamon-sugar mixture.
Make sure to cool the bars completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting and becoming too runny.
Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Keywords: Cinnamon Roll Bliss Bars, cinnamon roll bars, easy cinnamon dessert, cake mix cinnamon bars, cinnamon swirl bars, breakfast bars, cinnamon glaze bars