Save Cheerful, buttery bars with a soft, pie-like base, studded with colorful sprinkles and topped with a crackly cinnamon sugar crust. Perfect for parties or sweet snacking.
When I baked these Cinnamon Sugar Funfetti Pie Bars for a family movie night, everyone went wild for their sweet, crackly tops and surprise bursts of color inside. They’re a guaranteed hit at bake sales or potlucks.
Ingredients
- Unsalted butter: 1 cup (225 g), softened
- Granulated sugar: 1 cup (200 g) for bars, 1/4 cup (50 g) for topping
- Light brown sugar: 1/2 cup (100 g), packed
- Eggs: 2 large, room temperature
- Vanilla extract: 2 teaspoons, pure
- All-purpose flour: 2 cups (250 g)
- Baking powder: 1/2 teaspoon
- Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
- Rainbow sprinkles (jimmies preferred): 1/2 cup (80 g)
- Ground cinnamon: 1 tablespoon, for topping
Instructions
- Prep the Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Cream Butter & Sugars:
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
- Add Eggs & Vanilla:
- Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients:
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Batter:
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
- Fold in Sprinkles:
- Gently fold in rainbow sprinkles.
- Spread Dough:
- Spread dough evenly into prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- Add Cinnamon Sugar Topping:
- Mix cinnamon and granulated sugar for topping. Sprinkle evenly over batter.
- Bake:
- Bake 28–32 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.
- Cool & Cut:
- Cool completely in pan on wire rack before lifting out and slicing into bars.
Save Baking these with my kids is always a colorful adventure. We love sprinkling the cinnamon sugar together and smelling the buttery aroma waft through the kitchen.
Required Tools
9x9-inch (23x23 cm) baking pan, parchment paper, mixing bowls, electric mixer or whisk, rubber spatula, wire rack, measuring cups and spoons
Allergen Information
Contains: Milk (butter), Eggs, Wheat (flour), Possible Soy (sprinkles). Sprinkles may contain traces of nuts or soy—always check packaging if allergies are a concern.
Nutritional Information (per bar)
Calories: 220, Total Fat: 10 g, Carbohydrates: 30 g, Protein: 2 g
Save Make these bars ahead for stress-free party prep or a sweet after-school treat. Their pie-like softness will keep everyone coming back for seconds.
Recipe FAQ
- → Can I use different sprinkles for these bars?
Jimmies are preferred for vibrant color; nonpareils may bleed. Choose sprinkle types that hold shape during baking for best results.
- → How should I store these bars?
Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or freeze for up to 1 month to maintain freshness.
- → What helps achieve a crackly cinnamon sugar top?
Mix cinnamon and sugar thoroughly, then evenly sprinkle over the dough before baking to create a crisp, crackly surface.
- → Are these bars suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these bars are vegetarian-friendly. They contain butter and eggs but no meat products, making them a great vegetarian dessert option.
- → Can I add other spices to the topping?
Try adding a pinch of nutmeg to the cinnamon sugar for extra warmth and complexity in flavor.
- → Is it possible to make these bars gluten-free?
Replace the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend suitable for baking to make these bars gluten-free. Check all packaged ingredients.