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This post is all about cinnamon and CSN, so first things first, let me start with CSN.  It’s an online store that sells just about whatever you’re looking to buy.  Spring is on its way and maybe you’re in the market for swing sets for your kids…or perhaps you want some cute new plates for a spring soiree you’re throwing…or maybe your way of celebrating spring is to break out of your winter boots with some cute new shoes…in any case, check out CSN because most likely they have what you need.

The prize is a $70 gift card to use on any CSN website, and as always, you don’t need a blog to participate in this giveaway!  To participate, just leave a comment on this post telling me if you’re looking forward to spring or if you prefer winter.  For an extra entry, become a fan of Faith’s Kitchen on Facebook, or if you’re already a fan, share this giveaway on your Facebook page…then come back and leave me another comment telling me.  This giveaway ends February 25, 2010 at 12AM EST; after that, the winner will be determined randomly and notified by email.  Good luck to all!

Now for the cinnamon-y part of this post.  Usually when I remake things like cinnamon buns it’s because I’m trying to be healthy (like my all-time favorite breakfast).  Not so with this recipe.  I was dying for cinnamon buns and nothing but the real deal would satiate…but I didn’t feel like a) driving to the mall for a cinnamon bun, b) dealing with yeast to make my own, or c) going to the grocery store to pick up a pre-made tube to pop in the oven.  (Yeah, it was definitely one of those days.  I have to say though, those tubed pre-made things sold in the grocery store under the guise of being cinnamon buns wouldn’t have satisfied my craving anyway.) 

Inspiration struck in the form of bar cookies and I thought it sounded perfect.  The top and bottom crust for this recipe is none other than my not-so-secret-anymore cookie dough base for chocolate chip cookies (minus the chocolate chips, of course).  The middle is stuffed with a gooey, cinnamon-nutty filling.  And the top is glazed with pure cream cheese bliss. 

Ahhhhhhh.  Cinnamon bun crisis averted.  ;)

Cinnamon Bun Bar Cookies

(Yield:  9- by 13-inch pan of bar cookies)

Top & Bottom Crust:

2/3 c unsalted butter, at room temperature

2/3 c vegetable shortening, at room temperature

2 c brown sugar, lightly packed

2 large eggs

2 tsp pure vanilla paste (or extract)

3 c all-purpose flour (or 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour and 1 1/2 c whole wheat flour)

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp fine salt

Filling:

2/3 c brown sugar, lightly packed

2 TB all-purpose flour

1 TB cinnamon

Small pinch fine salt

1/3 c unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small pieces

1 c chopped walnuts or pecans

Glaze:

4 oz Neufchatel cheese (or cream cheese), at room temperature

2 oz (about 1/2 c) powdered sugar

1/2 tsp pure vanilla paste (or extract)

2 TB milk

Preheat oven to 375F; line a 9- by 13-inch baking dish with parchment paper so the paper hangs over 2 sides.

For the crust, in a large bowl, cream together butter, shortening, and brown sugar; add eggs and vanilla and mix to combine.  In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.  Gradually stir dry ingredients into wet.

For the filling, in a medium bowl, whisk together brown sugar, flour, cinnamon, and salt.  Use your fingers to work butter into the sugar mixture until crumbly.  Stir in walnuts.

Spread 2/3 of the crust mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.  Spread filling mixture evenly over crust and dot the top with the remaining filling mixture.  Bake 32-34 minutes, until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean; cool slightly before adding glaze.

For the glaze, in a medium bowl, whisk together all ingredients.  Drizzle glaze on top, then let the bar cookies cool before cutting.

Faith, author of An Edible Mosaic.
About Faith

I’m the writer, recipe developer, photographer, and food stylist behind this blog. I love finding the human connection through something we all do every day: eat! Food is a common ground that we can all relate to, and our tables tell a story. It’s my goal to inspire you to get in the kitchen, try something new, and find a favorite you didn’t know you had.

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129 Comments

  1. Spring of course and it will be gone all to soon. The hot wiltey days of summer will show up and keep me inside but then I spend time sewing with my friends. Elayne

    Reply

    1. Linda, I’m so happy you’re going to make these, I hope your kids really enjoy them! You can definitely link to the recipe on your blog, and thank you very much! :)

      Reply

  7. Thanks for the giveaway, but curse you for sharing that recipe! Now I have to make it, and I’m going to gain 600 lbs. when I do! I hate winter and love spring, so I’m definitely looking forward, especially this year!

    Reply

  10. I’m a new Facebook fan: Michelle Hudak

    (and I think I put an extra “B” on the end of my email address in my previous comment…ooops)

    Reply

  11. Those cookies look yummy! Thanks for sharing the recipe.

    Spring can’t get here fast enough for me..I love picking annuals for my yard and I don’t even mind spring yard clean-up. Winter in Cleveland is just cold and dreary…I’m so tired of ice and road salt over everything.

    Reply

  12. 106 comments. !!!
    Unreal. Cinnamon bun bar cookies? Outrageous? Why not just make the cinnamon buns? This is too funny. But, I bet they are tasty!
    :)
    valerie
    SPRING is my favourite season! Then, harvest time.

    Reply

  14. I love spring! It’s like a new beginning every year. Plus I no longer have to shovel snow out of my chicken’s yard!Yeah!

    Reply

  20. I love winter. I love snow, comfort food, and cuddling with my family. But I am looking forward to spring for the sole reason of ending the gremy season, which has hit us unusually hard this year. :(

    Reply

  24. I much prefer spring to winter. Not that I don’t love me a good stew or braise — perfect eats for cold weather. But there’s something magical about spring. The buds are starting to come out, the hills begin to turn green again, the air seems fresher and the sun stays out longer. It’s a time when anything seems possible. How can you not love that? ;)

    Reply

  25. I actually love winter- I’m a skiier- but by this point in the season I’m ready for it to be over and am definitely looking forward to spring!!

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  28. This is easy… bring on spring! I am definitely done with the freezing weather. I can’t wait to see all the flowers start to bloom again! And oh my Faith. You’ve done it with these cinnamon bars. You’ve got my mouthwatering in full on fashion over here. What a delicious idea!

    Reply

  29. I just made these bars, and I am thankful that I have enough willpower to keep me from eating the whole tray! I think I’ll take a picture and put it on my blog soon. This recipe gave me the comforting taste of a cinnamon bun without the yeast since I was in a hurry.

    We went snowshoeing for six miles yesterday which is great exercise, but I also will welcome Spring with open arms.

    Reply

  30. Basically I am looking forward to spring because the snow and cold will be gone (hopefully). I am looking forward to planting, biking, and the changing of the seasons.

    Reply

  35. at the risk of sounding wishy washy … i’m looking forward to spring, and yet I don’t feel as though i got enough of winter this year. only shoveled the driveway four times. got lots of boots i never wore. heck, wore shorts for much of January. spring will be nice … but i need a good, hard winter to make me appreciate it.

    Reply

  41. Oh dear. Another recipe I must copy and make soon! You are NOT helping my diet, Faith! :)

    Well, because we have spring most of the time down here, I guess I really can’t comment too much about weather. However, it’s always the harbinger of truly HOT weather down here. I love March and April, but then the heat and humidity hit.

    Reply

  45. I am so looking forward to Spring. I had my first baby in the winter and can’t wait to go for walks no more being stuck inside!!!

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  48. I’ve never made cinnamon buns. Ever. Mainly because I’m too lazy in the morning to deal with yeast. these are the perfect solution! They would trump Cinnabon any day.

    Reply

  52. I am so looking forward to spring! Sunny weather is always welcomed by me :)

    This cinnamony treat looks delicious like everything you make Faith!

    Reply

  54. Awesome! I love cinnamon buns! The place at the mall, was that “Cinnabon?” We don’t have those in San Francisco but I always love them in airports travelling East.

    About winter versus spring, I like spring much much better. Longer days and the hope of summer’s delights right around the corner really make me happy.

    Reply

  62. Faith , i think the only way i can catch up with all the bookmarking i have done is not to blog about it , coz i do time my whole baking around the sun rays to take pics:-)lol!
    But then ur recipes , HAVE to be blogged about and shared :-)
    U come up with such deliciousness….
    And these cinnamon bars are so goooodd, now my turn to stop by for coffee , oh and all those coffee’s u know!

    Ok i LOVEEE winter but then winter in my world is kinda like ur spring u know , or maybe summer ,lol!

    Reply

  66. These look amazing! You are super creative to have come up with such a yummy treat. I agree with you;I love, love cinnamon buns, but they are a pain to make. These sound like they will fit the bill perfectly.

    Though I really do love winter and snow, yesterday it was 60 degrees here in Mass, and it really gave a tease to spring weather. So now I cannot wait for spring to come.

    I am not on Facebook but working on it. When I am, I will definitely become a fan, once I figure out what that is…lol

    Reply

  71. You’ve done it again to me Faith., how can I possibly resist Cinnamon Bun bars. Very tasty little morsels they are too :)

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  72. I’m looking forward to Spring so I can bust out my flip flops and eat these Cinnamon bun bar cookies! hahah :)

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  74. MUST MAKE!!! Springpadding it right now!!!!

    And also, of course I prefer spring..I chose to live in SoCal for that reason! :D

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  75. Girrrrl, those bars look incredible!!!!!! I can’t get a cinnabon here, can you believe that? The last and only time I had one was while in Vegas 6 years ago. I can’t even remember what it tasted like. So sad. I wasn’t such a foodie then and kinda just ate it without thinking. As for the seasons, I am very much looking forward to spring! I don’t hate the winter, but I can’t take the cold as well as I could as a kid. My circulation isn’t as good. I figure I’ll have to move to FL by the time I’m 50 to avoid freezing to death!

    Reply

  79. I know what I’m making this weekend ~ those Cinnamon Bun Bars look fantastic!! I’m looking forward to Spring because I hate being cold {and I love spring flowers}.

    Reply

  90. I’m gonna be heretical here, but I love the cookie part of chocolate chip cookies more than the chocolate… anytime you can put that into something else… I’m ready. The cinnamon filling looks wonderful… and I love the chewy nuttiness of it… great improve, Faith!

    Reply

  91. book. marked. faith, these bars are the stuff of my dreams! that you’ve included a giveaway on this post is just an added bonus. fact: i’m all about spring!

    Reply

  94. Love this recipe! I love the name of this even more – it sounds perfect for the rainy weather we are having.

    Have a wonderful weekend my friend!

    Reply

  95. These sound AMAZING! I absolutely love cinnamon buns, and these sound even better than the real thing!

    I am so looking forward to spring/summer! Some people don’t like the summer because it’s so hot, but I’m all about 95 degree weather!!

    Reply

  96. oh heck yes I’m looking forward to spring! I am not a winter lady at all! In fact, its 70 something here today in Charleston! I’m planning on hitting up the beach tomorrow ;) I could totally use this CSN stores money for a crib!!

    The bars look ridiculously amazing. Cinnamon makes everything taste so yummy and how good to cinnamon baked goods smell while they’re cooking? A perfect brunch treat!

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  98. You definitely solved the cinnamon bun craving problem with these bar cookies! Great thinking :)

    I’m sooooooo ready for spring. Can’t wait. In fact today is such a beautiful day that I’ve opened the windows in the house and am pretending it’s not winter anymore, haha.

    Reply

  99. I look forward to spring picnics in the park…in Japan we used to do this under cherry blossoms and call it a “hanami party”! Your cinnamon bun cookies are the perfect take alongs.

    Reply

  106. I’m living a Spring Day’s dream as I’m looking out my window. The weather this year in particular has been so unpredictable.
    The very little bit of snow we have is melting as I’m writing…and I’m tempted to put my chair on the balcony…put on the coffee pot and have you send me out a piece of that decadence with my favorite aroma of cinnamon…yum!

    Ciao for now,
    Claudia

    Reply

  108. Love the buns, even in a bar shape. Yep that crap in the grocery store does not compare.

    Spring chick here, is winter over yet?????

    Have an awesome weekend.

    Reply

  111. Faith, these are seriously making my stomach growl. I’m a huge fan of cinnamon incorporated into anything, especially if they look as tempting as these. Mike is a lucky lucky man!
    I’m definitely looking forward to spring. More daylight and more outdoor activities with my kiddies :-D. Have a wonderful weekend! Thank you for another opportunity.

    Reply

  113. These really sounds delicious. Cinnamon is such a lovely and distinctive flavor, I can never get enough of it. I hope you have a wonderful weekend. Blessings…Mary

    Reply

  116. Oh my god, those are just my thing. I’m a cinnamon addict! lol

    I love snow too much to welcome spring just yet. Need a few more beautiful white mornings.

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  119. Wow, Faith, these bar cookies look incredible and this is such a great giveaway. Thanks for sharing it, and this wonderful recipe. I love anything cinnamon, so I’ll have to give these a try. Oh, and let’s see, I’m looking forward to spring most… My husband and I will finally be buying a house this coming season!

    Reply

  122. Those bars look BEYOND! I’m making banana cinnamon rolls this weekend, and I’m pretty psyched about it – I think everyone needs more cinnamon rolls in their life!

    And though I love winter, I am totally looking forward to running in shorts and NOT wearing boots every day this spring!

    Reply

  123. OMG, are you trying to kill me??? THis looks sooooooooooo good, and i am trying so hard to be well behaved, but this would most definitely tempt me.
    *kisses* HH

    Reply

  125. I am really looking forward to spring. I’ve been super excited lately and have spotted little bird nests. There’s a finch gang that hangs out in my neighborhood and sing beautiful songs! Excited to see the furry ones come out and make there presence :-)
    P.S.- Your blog rocks!

    Reply

  126. No way, this looks ridiculously amazing and I am absolutely veganizing this recipe, asap! I love cinnamon buns but hate all of the time and effort that goes into them… These are brilliant!

    And yes, I am 100% a spring person. It’s my favorite season. :)

    Reply

  128. OMG, that looks wonderfully gooey! What a treat!

    I’m looking forward to spring, although I love winter. Change is great.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

    Reply

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