Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

Thick and chewy Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars are a fun and easy twist on a classic favorite cookie! Packed with cinnamon and sugar, these cookie bars are irresistibly delicious and a total breeze to make.

Snickerdoodles are definitely one of my favorite cookies, and this recipe for Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars captures their essence perfectly, in a much easier format.

The key to a really good snickerdoodle bar is plenty of cinnamon and sugar! The buttery cookie dough is enhanced with the tang of cream of tarter, the richness of vanilla, and the warmth of cinnamon.

And of course, the texture of these bars is wonderful too! These snickerdoodle cookie bars are thick, chewy, and soft with a crunchy cinnamon sugar topping.

Be sure to grab my other snickerdoodle cookie recipes while you’re here! Cake Mix Snickerdoodles are so simple, or you might like to try my Pumpkin Snickerdoodles instead.

Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars Recipe Highlights

• Simple to Make. Cookie bars are so, so much easier to make than actual cookies, but with the same amazing flavors! For this recipe, all you need to do is mix up the dough, press it into a pan, and bake. Skip all the portioning and rolling of traditional cookies and make bars instead!
• Delicious Flavors. The cozy, spiced flavor of snickerdoodles is perfect for fall and winter, so these treats will be a hit no matter where you bring them this season.
• Perfect for Sharing. This recipe makes a large pan of cookie bars that you can cut into 24 pieces, but you might want to make a double batch, as these can disappear very quickly!

Key Ingredients

• All-Purpose Flour: This basic pantry ingredient is the base for most cookie recipes. No need for any fancy flours here!
• Cream of Tartar: This ingredient, found with the spices at the store, is responsible for the classic tang that snickerdoodles have. It also helps with leavening and texture in this recipe.
• Baking Soda and Baking Powder: This combination gives the bars just enough lift in the oven.
• Salt: Salt elevates all of the other simple flavors in this recipe.
• Brown Sugar: With its extra moisture, brown sugar works to make cookies that are soft and chewy.
• Butter: Be sure to use unsalted butter. To make things simple, we’re melting it first!
• Eggs: Allow your eggs to sit on the counter for an hour or so to come to room temperature. This helps to create a smooth, cohesive mixture.
• Vanilla Extract: A must for any good cookie bar recipe! I suggest using a good quality pure vanilla extract for best results.
• Granulated Sugar: Some goes into the cookie dough mixture, while the rest is used to create a crispy topping for the bars.
• Cinnamon: You cannot make snickerdoodles without plenty of this! Mixed with sugar, it makes a delicious top layer here.

How To Make Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (180°C), or 160°C for a fan oven. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan (approx 23x33cm)and line it with parchment paper.

Cookie Bar Tips

• Prepare your pan. It’s best to line your baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some extra on the long sides. The extra paper acts like handles that make it so simple to remove the bars from the pan once they’ve cooled.
• Use room temperature ingredients. When all of your ingredients are at the same temperature, they will mix together more willingly, giving you a super smooth dough and a thick and chewy texture.
• Avoid overmixing. Stir in the flour only until you can’t see it anymore. Overmixing can lead to dry baked goods.
• Cool before slicing. For clean slices, the bars must be completely cooled. Use a long sharp knife to cut these bars into 24 pieces.
• Try adding frosting! A simple cream cheese frosting would be delicious with these bars.

Storing Tips

If you even have any leftovers, they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 or 4 days.

You can also freeze Snickerdoodle bars. Wrap them well in plastic wrap then place in a freezer bag or container. Store for up to 3 months.

Other Cinnamon Infused Desserts to Bake

• Carrot Cake Cookies
• Cinnamon Roll Cookies
• Pecan Tassies
• Maple Pecan Cookies
• Apple Pie Cookies
• Iced Oatmeal Cookies
• Cinnamon Coffee Cake

Recipe FAQs

How do I tell when cookie bars are done?

Just like cakes or brownies, you can check cookie bars for doneness using a toothpick. The bars are done when a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.

Can I make these without cream of tartar?

Cream of tartar is what gives snickerdoodles their signature tang. I do not suggest leaving it out.

Can I make gluten free snickerdoodle bars?

I have not tested it with this recipe, but generally, I’ve had good results using 1:1 baking flour in place of the all-purpose flour in my cookie recipes.

Making Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars is so much easier than making traditional Snickerdoodles, and everyone is going to love their thick, chewy texture and cinnamon sugar coating!

Don’t forget to Pin this recipe so you can come back to it again!