Brown Sugar Cinnamon Crumb Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Brown Sugar Cinnamon Crumb Bars are a perfect balance of chewy oats, sweet cinnamon filling, and a buttery crumb topping. Easy to make and delicious for any time of day, they’re sure to become a favorite treat in your home.

Ingredients

• 1 ½ cup quick oats (regular or gluten free)
• 1 ½ cup flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted (you can use about 2 tbsp less if preferred)
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt
• 1 cup light brown sugar, packed (for filling)
• 1½ tbsp flour (for filling)
• 1½ tbsp cinnamon (for filling)
• 2 tbsp butter, melted (for filling)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (for filling)
• Optional pinch of sea salt (for filling)
• ½ cup powdered sugar (for icing)
• 1 tbsp butter, melted (for icing)
• ½ tsp cinnamon (for icing)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract (for icing)
• 2-3 tbsp half and half or milk (for icing)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: In a small bowl, mix together the brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, melted butter, vanilla extract, and an optional pinch of sea salt until fully combined to make the cinnamon filling.
3. Step 3: In a separate larger bowl, combine the oats, flour, melted butter, brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and sea salt. Stir until the mixture is moist but not greasy.
4. Step 4: Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust layer.
5. Step 5: Spread the brown sugar cinnamon filling evenly over the crust, gently pressing to level it.
6. Step 6: Sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the filling and press it gently to create the crumb topping.
7. Step 7: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until the crumb topping turns golden brown.
8. Step 8: While the bars cool for about 10 minutes, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and half and half (or milk) to make the cinnamon icing.
9. Step 9: Drizzle the icing over the warm bars. For best results, allow bars to cool completely before slicing, though they can be enjoyed warm with a more delicate texture.

Tips & Variations

• For a nuttier flavor, add chopped walnuts or pecans to the oat mixture before baking.
• Use gluten-free oats and flour to make this recipe gluten-free.
• If you prefer a less sweet bar, reduce the brown sugar in the topping by 2 tablespoons.
• Swap half and half for almond or oat milk in the icing for a dairy-free option.

Storage

Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat bars gently in the microwave for 15-20 seconds or enjoy them cold. Icing may soften when reheated but will still add a nice flavor.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use quick oats instead of old-fashioned oats?

Yes, quick oats work well in this recipe and give the bars a slightly softer texture than old-fashioned oats.

How do I prevent the bars from falling apart when warm?

Allowing the bars to cool completely helps them set and hold together better. If you prefer warm bars, handle them gently or use a spatula to lift slices carefully.

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Crumb Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 117 reviews

These Brown Sugar Cinnamon Crumb Bars are a delightful treat combining a buttery oat crust with a rich cinnamon sugar filling, topped with a crumbly layer and finished with a sweet cinnamon glaze. Perfect for dessert or a cozy snack, these bars offer a comforting blend of flavors and textures.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Oat Crust & Crumble

• 1 ½ cup quick oats (regular or gluten free)
• 1 ½ cup flour (spooned and leveled)
• 1 cup unsalted butter (melted, can use about 2 tbsp less if preferred)
• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp sea salt

Brown Sugar Cinnamon Filling

• 1 cup light brown sugar (packed)
• 1½ Tbsp flour
• 1½ Tbsp cinnamon
• 2 Tbsp butter (melted)
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• Optional pinch of sea salt

Cinnamon Icing

• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp butter (melted)
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• 2–3 Tbsp half and half or milk

Instructions

1. Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F to ensure it’s ready for baking your crumb bars.
2. Prepare the Filling: In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, flour, melted butter, vanilla extract, and an optional pinch of sea salt. Stir until all ingredients are evenly incorporated, creating a sweet, spiced filling mixture.
3. Make the Oat Mixture: In another bowl, mix the quick oats, flour, melted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla extract, baking powder, and sea salt until the mixture is well combined. It should feel moist but not overly greasy to the touch.
4. Assemble the Bars: Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press about two-thirds of the oat mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan to form the base layer. Next, spread the brown sugar cinnamon filling evenly over the oat base. Finally, sprinkle the remaining oat mixture over the filling and gently press it down to form the crumb topping.
5. Bake: Place the assembled pan in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the crumble topping turns a golden brown color, signaling that the bars are cooked through.
6. Prepare the Cinnamon Icing: While the bars are baking, whisk together the powdered sugar, melted butter, cinnamon, vanilla extract, and half and half (or milk) in a small bowl until smooth and drizzleable.
7. Cool and Drizzle: Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes after baking. Once slightly cooled, drizzle the cinnamon icing evenly over the top of the bars for a sweet finishing touch.
8. Slice and Serve: For best results and easier slicing, let the bars cool completely before cutting into 16 servings. They can be enjoyed warm, though they may be a bit crumbly when warm.

Notes

• For easier removal and cleaner slicing, be sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper.
• You can use regular or gluten-free quick oats depending on dietary preference.
• Adjust the amount of butter in the oat mixture if you prefer a less rich crumble.
• These bars are best served after cooling to maintain their structure, but can be enjoyed warm.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
• Half and half can be substituted with milk or any non-dairy milk for the icing.

Keywords: brown sugar, cinnamon crumb bars, crumb bars, oat bars, dessert bars, cinnamon sugar bars, baked bars