Indulge in the irresistible layers of flavor found in these Danish Cinnamon Bars – a buttery, crumbly delight that merges classic Nordic baking with a sweet and spicy twist. Featuring a tender, melt-in-your-mouth shortbread base, a rich cinnamon-sugar filling, and a tantalizing crumbly topping, these bars are the epitome of cozy comfort. A luxurious cream cheese glaze drizzled on top adds a velvety finish, perfectly balancing sweetness and spice in every bite. With just 25 minutes of prep time, this easy-to-make recipe is ideal for festive gatherings, coffee breaks, or anytime you crave a dessert that's as stunning as it is delicious. Perfectly portioned for 12 servings, these cinnamon bars are a crowd-pleaser you’ll come back to again and again. Let the aroma of cinnamon fill your kitchen and turn an ordinary day into something truly special.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, and salt. Mix until combined.
Add the cold, cubed butter to the flour mixture. Use a pastry cutter or your fingers to cut the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, milk, and vanilla extract. Pour this mixture into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared baking pan to form the base layer.
In another bowl, mix together the ground cinnamon and brown sugar. Sprinkle this cinnamon-sugar mixture evenly over the dough base.
Crumble the remaining dough over the cinnamon-sugar layer to create a crumbly top layer.
Bake in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the top is lightly golden and the edges are set.
While the bars bake, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, heavy cream, and cream cheese until smooth and lump-free.
Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan.
Once cooled, drizzle the prepared glaze over the bars. Let the glaze set for 10 minutes.
Slice into 12 bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Calories |
4323 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 228.7 g | 293% | |
| Saturated Fat | 140.3 g | 702% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.5 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 961 mg | 320% | |
| Sodium | 779 mg | 34% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 532.3 g | 194% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 12.3 g | 44% | |
| Total Sugars | 293.3 g | ||
| Protein | 42.2 g | 84% | |
| Vitamin D | 5.4 mcg | 27% | |
| Calcium | 382 mg | 29% | |
| Iron | 16.1 mg | 89% | |
| Potassium | 682 mg | 15% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.