“`html
If you love the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls but want something a bit easier to share and bake, the Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe is exactly what you need. These blondies take all the lusciousness of a cinnamon roll’s gooey swirl and buttery texture and transform it into a rich, chewy square of sweet joy. With a perfect balance of cinnamon-spiced sugar swirls and a luscious cream cheese glaze, these blondies are simply irresistible and perfect for any occasion, whether it’s breakfast, dessert, or a sneaky snack.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe relies on simple, accessible ingredients, each playing a crucial role in delivering its iconic taste and texture. From rich butter for fluffiness to aromatic cinnamon for that classic flavor, every ingredient is essential to making these blondies unforgettable.
- Unsalted butter, melted: Provides moisture and a tender crumb that makes these blondies perfectly soft.
- Light brown sugar: Adds a deep caramel-like sweetness and keeps the texture chewy.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and contribute to a rich, dense texture.
- Pure vanilla extract: Enhances all the flavors with a sweet, fragrant note.
- All-purpose flour: The main structure ingredient that creates the perfect cakey base.
- Corn starch: Helps keep the blondies tender by softening the flour’s gluten development.
- Baking powder: Gives just the right lift to the batter for a light texture.
- Kosher salt: Balances the sweetness and intensifies the other flavors.
- Ground cinnamon: The star spice that brings that iconic cinnamon roll warmth in every bite.
- Cream cheese, softened: Makes the glaze luxuriously smooth and tangy to complement the sweet blondies.
- Confectioners’ sugar, sifted: Ensures the glaze is silky and lump-free.
How to Make Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) and lining an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. This simple step ensures your blondies bake evenly and come out of the pan effortlessly, delivering those perfect squares every time.
Step 2: Mix the Wet Ingredients
In a large bowl, whisk melted butter and packed light brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Then add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to incorporate air and structure. Stir in the vanilla extract, which will bring a lovely depth of flavor that complements the cinnamon beautifully.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, kosher salt, and ground cinnamon. Whisking these together thoroughly avoids clumps and ensures the cinnamon is evenly distributed, so every bite is bursting with spice.
Step 4: Bring Wet and Dry Together
Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined—overmixing can lead to tough blondies, so take your time here. The batter will be thick and luscious, ready for the next glorious step.
Step 5: Create the Cinnamon Swirl
Mix the cinnamon and sugar for the swirl in a small bowl. Spread half of the blondie batter into your prepared pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon sugar mixture across the top, then dollop the remaining batter over and sprinkle with the remaining cinnamon sugar. Use a knife or skewer to gently swirl the layers together — this is what makes these blondies so irresistibly visually stunning and delicious.
Step 6: Bake to Perfection
Bake your blondies for 25–30 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The aroma filling your kitchen at this point will have you counting down the minutes.
Step 7: Glaze and Cool
While the blondies cool slightly, whip up a luscious glaze by combining cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and creamy. Drizzle this over the warm blondies for a signature cinnamon roll finish that makes these treats truly shine.
How to Serve Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe
Garnishes
For an extra touch of indulgence, sprinkle a little cinnamon powder or some chopped pecans on top of the glaze. A light dusting of powdered sugar just before serving adds a pretty finishing touch, making these blondies look as fantastic as they taste.
Side Dishes
Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe pairs beautifully with a hot cup of coffee, spiced chai tea, or even a cold glass of milk. For brunch, serve alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of whipped cream to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Think beyond simple squares! Cut these blondies into triangles or use cookie cutters for themed shapes. Serve them stacked on a rustic wooden board or wrapped individually in parchment with a cinnamon stick for sharing. You can even layer pieces with scoop of vanilla ice cream for a dreamy cinnamon roll blondie sundae.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers (and who wouldn’t?), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to keep their soft, chewy texture intact. The cinnamon swirl and glaze hold up nicely without losing their charm.
Freezing
These blondies freeze wonderfully if you want to keep a batch on hand. Wrap individual pieces in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll keep for up to two months and can be thawed overnight in the fridge or at room temperature.
Reheating
To enjoy them warm and gooey again, simply microwave a blondie for 15 to 20 seconds or pop it in a preheated oven at 300°F for about 5 minutes. The glaze will soften beautifully, giving you that fresh-baked vibe every time.
FAQs
Can I use a different type of sugar in this Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe?
Light brown sugar is key to that rich molasses flavor, but you can try dark brown sugar for a more intense taste or granulated sugar mixed with molasses as a substitute. Keep in mind it may slightly change the texture.
What makes these blondies different from regular cinnamon roll desserts?
Instead of rolling out dough and forming swirls, this recipe uses a simple blondie batter with cinnamon sugar swirled on top and baked in one pan. It’s much quicker, and the texture is chewy yet tender, reminiscent of a cinnamon roll but in an easy square form.
Is cream cheese absolutely necessary for the glaze?
The cream cheese adds a tangy richness that complements the sweetness perfectly, but if you prefer you can make a simple vanilla glaze using powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. It won’t have the same depth but will still be delicious.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
You can substitute the dairy butter and cream cheese with plant-based alternatives, just make sure they melt and soften similarly. The texture and flavor will be slightly different, but the spiced cinnamon notes will remain.
How do I know when the blondies are done baking?
Look for golden edges and a toothpick inserted into the center that comes out mostly clean with just a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking so your blondies stay chewy and soft rather than dry and crumbly.
Final Thoughts
Trust me, once you make this Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe, you’ll want to bake it again and again. It’s the perfect mix of nostalgic cinnamon roll flavors with the ease and shareability of blondies. Whether you’re impressing guests or treating yourself on a cozy afternoon, these blondies bring warmth, comfort, and a sprinkle of magic to any moment. Go ahead, give them a try—you won’t regret it!
“`
Print
Cinnamon Roll Blondies Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these irresistibly soft and gooey Cinnamon Roll Blondies, featuring a rich buttery base swirled with a fragrant cinnamon sugar mixture, and topped with a smooth, sweet glaze for the perfect balance of flavors reminiscent of your favorite cinnamon roll treat.
Ingredients
Blondie Batter
- 1 cup (2 sticks; 227 g) unsalted butter, melted
- 1 ¾ cups (350 g) light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
- 1 ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (285 g) all‑purpose flour
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp kosher salt
Cinnamon Swirl
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup light brown sugar (packed)
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
Glaze
- 3 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (½ stick; 57 g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (188 g) confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
- Pinch kosher salt
- 2–3 Tbsp milk (adjust as needed for consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure easy removal and clean-up.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the melted butter with light brown sugar until smooth and well blended, creating a rich base for your blondies.
- Add Eggs and Vanilla: Incorporate the eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract until fully combined for a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, corn starch, baking powder, ground cinnamon, and kosher salt to evenly distribute the leavening and spices.
- Fold Dry into Wet: Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture just until combined to avoid overmixing, which can toughen the blondies.
- Create Cinnamon Swirl Layers: Mix melted butter, light brown sugar, and ground cinnamon in a small bowl. Spread half of the blondie batter evenly in the prepared pan, sprinkle half of the cinnamon mixture over it, then layer the remaining batter and top with the rest of the cinnamon mixture to create a luscious swirl.
- Bake the Blondies: Bake in the preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Prepare the Glaze: While the blondies cool slightly, beat together softened cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add sifted confectioners’ sugar, vanilla extract, a pinch of kosher salt, and enough milk to reach a drizzle-able consistency.
- Glaze and Serve: Drizzle the cream cheese glaze over the warm blondies before slicing and serving to add a creamy, sweet finish.
Notes
- For best texture, avoid overmixing the batter once the dry ingredients are added.
- Ensure eggs and butter are at room temperature for smooth incorporation.
- You can substitute all-purpose flour with gluten-free flour blend to make this gluten free.
- The glaze can be prepared ahead and refrigerated; bring to room temperature before drizzling.
- Store blondies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Use parchment paper with an overhang for easy removal of blondies from the pan.
