Ingredients
Scale
For the Base:
- ½ cup 113g unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup 100g granulated sugar
- ¼ cup 55g brown sugar, packed
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups 190g all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
For the Cinnamon Swirl:
- ⅓ cup 70g brown sugar, packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (melted)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 oz 113g cream cheese, softened
- 2 tablespoons 28g unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup 120g powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Make the base: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes.
- Add the wet ingredients: Mix in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Stir in the dry ingredients: Gradually add flour, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon, mixing just until combined. The dough will be thick — that’s what you want!
- Press the dough into the pan, smoothing it out evenly with a spatula or your hands.
- Prepare the swirl: In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter. Drizzle and swirl it over the top of the dough using a butter knife. Don’t overdo it — gentle swirls will give you that beautiful marbled effect.
- Bake for 22–26 minutes or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The center should still be soft — it’ll set more as it cools.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Beat together cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla, and mix until fluffy and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting generously over the cooled bars. Slice into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Notes
- Gluten-Free? Substitute your favorite 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
- Dairy-Free? Use plant-based butter and cream cheese alternatives. They still turn out delicious!
- Add a crunch: Chopped pecans or walnuts sprinkled into the swirl add great texture.
- More spice? Add a pinch of nutmeg or cardamom to the base dough for extra warmth.
- Drizzle it up: A light caramel drizzle on top takes these over the edge (in the best way).
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Nutrition
- Calories: 310