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- 2 cups all-purpose flour - 1/2 teaspoon salt - 1/4 teaspoon baking powder - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed - 1/4 cup granulated sugar - 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed - 1 large egg, beaten - 1 tablespoon vanilla extract - 1 tablespoon milk - 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed - 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon - 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour - 1 cup powdered sugar - 2 tablespoons milk (or more for consistency) - Extra cinnamon for dusting (optional) This recipe for Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients. The dough requires flour, salt, baking powder, and butter. You also need sugars, an egg, vanilla, and milk to bind it all together. For the filling, you mix brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour. This blend gives the bars their sweet and spicy flavor. Finally, the topping has powdered sugar mixed with milk. This glaze makes the bars look and taste amazing. You can dust extra cinnamon on top for more flavor. With these ingredients, you can create a treat that is fun to make and delicious to eat! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This step is key for even baking. Next, get an 8x8 inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper. Leave some overhang. This makes it easy to lift out your bars later. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon baking powder. Add 1/2 cup of cold cubed butter. Mix it all until it looks like coarse crumbs. Then, stir in 1/4 cup granulated sugar, 1/4 cup brown sugar, 1 beaten egg, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, and 1 tablespoon milk. Mix until it forms a nice dough. Set aside 1/3 of the dough for the topping. Take the rest and press it into the bottom of your prepared pan. Make sure it’s even. This will be the base of your pop tart bars. In a small bowl, mix 1/2 cup packed brown sugar, 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon, and 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour. Sprinkle this filling evenly over the dough in the pan. The sweet smell will make you excited! Roll out the set-aside dough on a floured surface. Aim for a size that matches the pan. Place it over the filling. If you want, cut slits in the dough or poke it with a fork. This helps steam escape. Bake the pan in the oven for 25-30 minutes. Look for a golden brown top. Once baked, take the pan out of the oven. Let it cool for about 10 minutes. Lift the bars out using the parchment overhang. Place them on a wire rack to cool completely. In another bowl, whisk together 1 cup powdered sugar and 2 tablespoons milk for the glaze. Drizzle this over the cooled bars. Add a dusting of cinnamon if you like. Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy! To make the dough just right, keep your butter cold. Cold butter helps create a flaky texture. When mixing, stop as soon as you see crumbs. Overmixing makes the dough tough. Use a light touch when adding the sugars and egg. This keeps your dough soft and easy to work with. For the filling, use packed brown sugar. This gives a rich, sweet flavor. Mix the brown sugar with ground cinnamon and a bit of flour. The flour helps bind everything. Be sure to sprinkle it evenly over the dough. This way, every bite has that lovely cinnamon taste. When glazing, whisk the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. If it’s too thick, add more milk slowly. You want a drizzle that flows nicely. Once the bars cool, drizzle the glaze on top. For a fun touch, sprinkle extra cinnamon on the glaze. This adds flavor and looks great too! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For the best texture, make sure your butter is very cold and consider chilling the dough for 30 minutes before rolling it out. Measure Ingredients Accurately: Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for the flour and sugars, to ensure consistent results. Customize the Filling: Feel free to mix in chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or dried fruit to the filling for added flavor and texture. Make Ahead: These bars can be made a day in advance and stored in an airtight container. The flavor will deepen as they sit! {{image_2}} You can switch up the filling to create fun flavors. Try using fruit jams like strawberry or raspberry. Nut butter mixed with banana can also make a tasty option. Another idea is to use chocolate spread with a sprinkle of nuts. Each filling adds its own twist to the bars. To make these bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free flour blend. Many blends work well in this recipe. Ensure to check that your baking powder is gluten-free too. The texture may differ slightly, but the taste will still shine through. Get creative with the glaze! Instead of plain milk, try orange juice for a citrus twist. You can also add vanilla or almond extract for added flavor. For a chocolate glaze, mix cocoa powder into the powdered sugar and milk. Each glaze can transform the look and taste of your pop tart bars. To keep your Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. Make sure the bars are completely cool before placing them in the container. This helps prevent moisture from making the bars soggy. You can keep them at room temperature for up to three days. If you want to freeze these tasty bars, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. Then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. This method helps keep them fresh for up to three months. When you're ready to eat, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. You can also warm them in the microwave for a few seconds for that fresh-baked taste. These bars taste best when fresh, but they can last a while if stored right. At room temperature, they stay good for about three days. In the fridge, they can last up to a week. For the best taste, try to eat them within the first few days. Keeping them sealed tight helps maintain their flavor and texture. Yes, you can make these bars ahead of time. Prepare them and let them cool. After cooling, store them in an airtight container. They stay fresh for up to three days. If you want to keep them longer, freeze them. Just thaw before serving. The bars are done when the top is golden brown. You can also check by inserting a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean, the bars are ready. Baking usually takes 25 to 30 minutes, but ovens can vary. You can use coconut oil or margarine as a substitute. Both will work well to keep the bars moist. Just make sure to use the same amount as the butter called for in the recipe. Yes, you can use various sugars. Light brown sugar or even maple sugar can work. Each will give a slightly different flavor but will still taste great. Just remember to keep the same amount as in the recipe. You learned how to make delicious brown sugar cinnamon pop tart bars. We discussed the key ingredients for the dough, filling, and toppings. You now know the step-by-step instructions and helpful tips to make your bars perfect every time. Consider trying different fillings and glazes to switch things up. Proper storage will keep them fresh and tasty. With these insights, you can confidently create and enjoy these tasty treats, ensuring every bite brings joy.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Pop Tart Bars

Delicious homemade pop tart bars filled with brown sugar and cinnamon, topped with a sweet glaze.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12
Calories 200 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, cold and cubed
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed (for filling)
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for filling)
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for topping)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for topping)
  • to taste extra cinnamon for dusting (optional)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
  • In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking powder. Add the cold cubed butter and mix until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in the granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg, vanilla extract, and milk until a dough forms.
  • Set aside 1/3 of the dough for the top crust. Press the remaining dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan evenly to form the base.
  • In a small bowl, mix together brown sugar, cinnamon, and flour for the filling. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the dough in the pan.
  • Roll out the remaining 1/3 of the dough on a lightly floured surface to roughly match the size of the pan. Place it over the cinnamon filling. If desired, cut slits in the dough to allow steam to escape, or poke with a fork for a rustic look.
  • Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
  • Remove from the oven and let it cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment overhang. Allow it to cool completely on a wire rack.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together powdered sugar and milk until smooth. Adjust with more milk for desired consistency.
  • Once the bars have cooled, drizzle the glaze over the top, and if desired, dust with extra cinnamon.
  • Cut into squares or rectangles and serve. Enjoy your sweet, homemade pop tart bars!

Notes

For a rustic look, you can poke the top dough with a fork.
Keyword bars, brown sugar, cinnamon, dessert, pop tart