I love cinnamon so much that I usually at least double the amount called for in most recipes.
And all that cinnamon is just perfect with white chocolate.
If you’re a cinnamon aficionado, you’re going to love these easy, no-mixer bars that are ready in 30 minutes.
They’re extra soft, tender, supple, and packed with cinnamon flavor.
There’s one full tablespoon of cinnamon stirred into the easy no-mixer-required batter, along with over a cup of cinnamon chips added to the batter.
After baking and spreading a layer of melted white chocolate on top, I sprinkled it with more cinnamon chips. The more, the merrier.
Even though that sounds like a ton of cinnamon, and it is, although the cinnamon flavor is bold and robust, it’s not overwhelming. However, if you’re not as much of a cinnamon lover, I suggest decreasing the amount of cinnamon added to the batter, to taste.
The bars are made exclusively with brown sugar, no granulated, and the brown sugar caramelizes while baking, adding caramely undertones amidst the dominant cinnamon.
If there’s something I enjoy as much as cinnamon, it’s white chocolate. It’s not technically chocolate, but it’s technically good.
I love to make Cinnamon Chip and White Chocolate Peanut Butter, combine the two into one drippy, smooth spread. Talk about a hide-the-spoons situation.
White chocolate is notoriously hard to melt and scorches easily and I recommend either Candy Melts or Dips (what I used), Vanilla Candiquik, or a good quality White Chocolate Bar.
White chocolate chips are the worst because of the stabilizers in them. You don’t want the white chocolate chips in your cookies melting into puddles, so chips have stabilizers added to resist melting, the opposite of what you want here.
Which is a nice, smooth, flat layer that’s perfect for sprinkling on all those cinnamon chips. They add a bit of texture to the otherwise buttery soft, very moist, rich, and dense bars.
If you’re not a white chocolate fan, you can omit it or use regular chocolate. However, the more delicate flavor of white chocolate, coupled with the bright pop of sweetness it lends, makes it a perfect complement to the spicier cinnamon and cinnamon chips.
Cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, allspice, molasses, pumpkin. I love all the flavors of fall even though I don’t love that the weather is going to be getting cooler. I wish the weather stayed in the 80s year round.
But I’m a pushover for melt-in-your-mouth soft bars and can get behind these fall-flavored little numbers.
Very happily.
Pin This Recipe
White Chocolate-Topped Cinnamon Chip Cinnamon Bars
These soft, tender, and moist bars are robustly flavored with cinnamon. One hearty tablespoon is stirred into the batter, along with cinnamon chips that both line the interior of the bars, and are sprinkled on top. If you can’t fine cinnamon chips, there’s really no substitute in this recipe and I recommend ordering them. If you prefer less intensity of cinnamon flavor, dial down the amount added to the batter. The white chocolate topping adds a sweet pop to counter the spiciness of the cinnamon. Read the blog post for tips when selecting white chocolate, as it’s notoriously difficult to melt and prone to scorching. These fast and easy bars are ready in 30 minutes and are perfect for fall and winter baking.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), melted
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon, or to taste
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- one 10-ounce bag cinnamon chips
- 8 ounces White Candy Melts, Vanilla Candiquik, or White Chocolate Bar, melted
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8-by-8-inch baking pan with aluminum foil, spray with cooking spray; set aside.
- In a large, microwave-safe bowl melt the butter, about 1 minute on high power.
- Wait momentarily before adding the egg so you don’t scramble it. Add the egg, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and whisk until smooth.
- Add the flour and stir until just combined, don’t overmix.
- Stir in 1 1/4 cups cinnamon chips.
- Turn batter out into prepared pan, smoothing the top lightly with a spatula.
- Bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until done. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean, or with a few moist crumbs, but no batter. Allow bars to cool in pan while you melt the white chocolate topping.
- In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate according to package directions. I melt it in short bursts of about 15 seconds each, stirring after each burst. To melt 8 ounces takes about 1 minute in my microwave. Don’t overcook the chocolate, noting that white chocolate scorches and will seize up very easily. If that happens, there’s no way to save it and you have to discard and start over.
- Smooth the white chocolate over the bars in an even flat layer.
- Sprinkle with 1/3 cup cinnamon chips or whatever remains in bag.
- Allow white chocolate layer to set up fully before slicing and serving. Bars will keep airtight at room temperature for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 6 months.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
12Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 8gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 36mgSodium: 19mgCarbohydrates: 42gFiber: 1gSugar: 27gProtein: 2g
Related Recipes
Soft and Chewy Cinnamon Chip Snickerdoodle Cookies
Coconut Oil White Chocolate Cookies
Soft and Puffy Pumpkin Spice Honey Cookies
Cinnamon Chip and White Chocolate Peanut Butter (GF) – Two favorite flavors in honey-roasted peanut butter
Cinnamon-Sugar Crust Cinnamon-Ribbon Bread – The crust alone on this bread is worth making it for and normally I don’t even like crust
Cinnamon Raisin English Muffin Bread with Cinnamon Sugar Butter – Goofproof, foolproof, no-knead recipe that’s perfect for first-time bread makers. You’ll never have a need for storebought English muffins again
Cinnamon Swirl Bread – As close to a cinnamon roll as a bread can get and still be called bread rather than dessert
Cinnamon Sugar Crust Cream Cheese and Jelly Danish Squares – Underneath a wall of cinnamon-sugar is soft, moist, and rich cream cheese and jelly. Fast and easy to make
Cinnamon Roll Coffee Cake with Cream Cheese Glaze – The flavor of cinnamon rolls, minus the work or time investment
Overnight Buttermilk Soft and Fluffy Cinnamon Rolls – My fave cinnamon roll recipe. Soft, tender, moist and the make-ahead option makes saves time the next morning
Vegan Chunky Apple Cinnamon Muffins – Fast, easy, no-mixer, and you’d never guess they’re vegan and healthier
Cranberry Bliss Bars {Starbucks Copycat Recipe} – One of the best bars I’ve ever made, hands down, and are a dead ringer for the real thing
Thanks for the entries in the Fall Cooking Giveaway for KitchenAid Stand Mixer, 10-Piece Cookware Set and More! Giveaway
Are you a cinnamon fanatic? White chocolate?
This is a keeper! Absolutely delicious and so easy!
Thanks for the 5 star review and I’m glad it’s a keeper!
I love how these bars are really unique, yet undeniably tasty.
I don’t have cinnamon chips, so I subbed white chips and left out the topping. It was delicious, AND it made the bars quicker and easier than ever!
Thanks for the wonderful recipe!
Thanks for trying these and swapping things out as needed to come up with a winner – and glad they were quick and easy, too!
I just made these. They are gorgeous (just like the picture) and delicious! It’s a good thing I offered to share some with friends before I tasted them, otherwise I’d be eating the whole pan this afternoon. This recipe is going into my “keeper” file. Thanks!
My list of MUST TRY fall recipes is getting ridiculously long. These bars look so delicious though, I need to try them right away! :)
Thanks Kelly – LMK if you try things and how it goes!
These sound unbelievably good Averie! I think cinnamon is sometimes overlooked as the ‘star’ of a dish, not here! I’ll have to give these a try!!
Oh, these sound just heavenly! I had to refrain from licking my screen! Hehe! Love all of your cinnamon goodness!!
I adore cinnamon – the more the better for me! And there’s so much cinnamon going on in these, I know I’d love them!
I snagged some cinnamon chips the last time I was in the States (sadly, I can’t find them here in Canada) and now I know what I’m making with them next! Yum.
Oh goodness, what a perfect combination of flavors :) I am loving this recipe!!
These bars look heavenly – and I’m not even a white chocolate fan!
I just worked with white chocolate, something that always makes me nervous. I think the only grocery store brand that doesn’t seize or die is Ghirardelli (in bar form). It’s not so bad, white chocolate. Maybe the key is to stop thinking of it as “chocolate?” :D
You know I’m a cinnamon lover so these bars are calling my name!
Drooling… I want these SO bad! Beautiful bars!!
I’m also a sucker for cinnamon – I always double the amount.
Oh my goodness, I didn’t know cinnamon chips were a thing and now I need some! Like, immediately. These bars look incredible! :)
I love cinnamon as much as you and know I would not be able to stop eating these. They look incredible! I’m pretty much addicted to cinnamon chips – so yummy and not artificial tasting.
I have to make sure to not start snacking on cinn chips, b/c once I start, it’s way too easy to reach for multiple handfuls!
I also love cinnamon and usually add a lot more than the recipe states. But it’s just so good and it reminds me of fall and Christmas. I really want to give these a try but I’ve never seen cinnamon chips before….:(
Yum – cinnamon and white chocolate! Can’t wait to try these!!
These look outrageously moist and flavorful, Averie! I can’t wait to try them!
OMG!! These look amazing and I totally agree the more cinnamon the better! I love the combo of cinnamon and white chocolate! Genius!
Glad you love them – thanks Liz!
You said it – cinnamon is THA best. Also, cinnamon chips > potato chips. It needed to be said.
cinnamon chips > potato chips — LOL and so true!
LOVE me some cinnamon chips. These are amazing, girl!
Averie, you are the dessert bar queen! I am always so impressed by each new, unique, and totally creative bar recipe you bake! Cinnamon chips are made for people like you and I. But I can’t find them anywhere in stores. I’ve ordered them before and am hooked. I need to get some more because they are just perfect this time of year!
I love the white chocolate on top! You camera caught the light so perfectly on each bar. I have so much trouble with white frostings/toppings and such sometimes. Most of the reshoots for my book were in that category. :( Anyway – these bars. Love ’em!
Sally the light on bars like this can be so dramatic and hard to work with; the sharp contrast of light and dark, anything white that reflects it, then an orange-ish subject can turn a hideous shade – trust me the only reason these bars came out as well as they did was b/c I spent all of 2012-2013 photographing orange food, much of which had a white-ish glaze or frosting on top :) Sorry about your reshoots. I know I will have them too….ugh….
Cinn chips. Major drought on there here for 1 year. And then 1 groc store got them, and now 3 have them, all within like 3 mos. Weird!
I’m pretty sure these would put me in a comma. Might be worth it though…
How, how, HOW do you produce such photogenic dessert bars? They seriously look like they were sculpted from clay! By Michelangelo! I have to track down some cinnamon chips ASAP!!!
Omg you are toooooo kind!! Thank you! These do have sort of a clay-like look, don’t they! It’s the color contrast in part that makes these pop. But thank you! And I know you’re a cannela fan and know you’d love these!
I’m glad someone understands my cinnamon addiction! These bars look absolutely to die for.
totally get it!
These look so good! I’ve got to get my hands on some of those cinnamon chips!
Do it! So versatile for fall baking!
These look so insanely good… and the cinnamon chip cookies do too! I’m fairly certain you can’t buy them anywhere in the UK, but I reckon it would be worth the cost of flights to the US to stock up…
Yes hop on a flight! Or I’m sure you can order online – but a trip sounds more fun! :)
Have you thought about using cinnamon extract instead of vanilla? Also I can get the chips at just about every store in my area. Not trying to rub it in, just wanted to say how lucky I am. I have used these chips to make cinnamon fudge in the past. It is amazing, especially when it is slightly warm. I also add them to the pumpkin cheesecake I make at Thanksgiving.
Cinn fudge sounds incredible and I love adding them to pumpkin-ish flavors or anything that’s full of ginger, nutmeg, cloves, etc. as well.
Cinn extract – would be another way to bump up the cinn flavor and if you have it on hand, can’t hurt!
Those bars look amazing!
Oooh, that’s really good! I can definitely smell cinnamon! Believe it, a few years back I wasn’t a big fa of cinnamon, but after reading your blog for a while I started to use it: a little, then a little more, than a little more… And now I can say that I love cinnamon (in sweets only, haven’t gotten the taste of cinnamon is savory dishes just yet). :)
I am a dark chocolate person, but I would try this recipe: with holidays’ parties coming I’ll be baking more. So far each recipe I’ve made came out perfect (even when I add less sugar).
Thanks Averie!
glad to hear you’ve come along with your use of cinnamon (and baking!) and yes, although semisweet or darker chocolate is good and can never go wrong, with the cinnamon, the white choc is really so nice in these!
I know, and it’s pretty with white chocolate too!
I wish I could find cinnamon chips up here in Canada!
Gosh these look incredible Averie! I love the combo of cinnamon and white chocolate!
I’ve never used cinnamon chips before, but now I’m intrigued. It seems like I may have been missing out all these years! And the combo of creamy white chocolate and spicy cinnamon sounds just perfect to me!
creamy white chocolate and spicy cinnamon is such a great contrast – you’ll love it!
We really are alike. Double the cinnamon, double the vanilla. I have had cinnamon chips in my pantry forever. What a travesty! MUST USE THEM.
Double, double – yes indeed! And use those babies up in some bars or something!
You had me at cinnamon chips! I love that you doubled the cinnamon in this recipe. These bars look scrumptious. Pinned!
thanks for pinning Jennie!
I need these bars! Cinnamon is one of those spices I can not get enough of. I want to serve these with a huge scoop of vanilla ice cream…. It is too hot here in Australia for hot chocolate right now.
LOVE everything about these fall flavored bars! Check out the new Chocolate Adventure Contest ~ the theme is bars ~ details on my blog :)
I love cinnamon anything, especially this time of year! These look so yummy and perfect. :)
Cinnamon and white chocolate are definitely a great combo! These look delicious, Averie!
You can NEVER had enough cinnamon…at least in my book ;)
I love this simple recipe! Nothing getting in the way of the cinnamon flavor – that’s rate lately. Everyone seems to be adding a little of this and that and that and that….and then in the end it is just too much flavor at once. (I’m guilty of this for sure.)
White chocolate is such a great compliment to cinnamon, too. Chocolate is too much in my opinion, but the simple sweet and light flavor white chocolate is PERFECT. I want these!!
I think you would love these. Just really clean and pure flavors – bold cinnamon & pop of white choc. Nothing else. So you can really appreciate the cinnamon! And as much as I enjoy pumpkin, it’s not in here either. Just cinnamon :)
I need to find some cinnamon chips and bake these ASAP!
Find them! You’ll love them!
Oh my gosh the additional cinnamon chips on top are so cute!
These and your apple cinnamon crockpot recipe would be perfect together :)
I LOVE cinnamon, and I always crave it in the fall. I love that there are overloaded with cinnamon chips, and the combination of cinnamon, brown sugar, and white chocolate sounds like heaven!
They were heaven for me :)
Wow these look really really good! I love the idea of using cinnamon chips. They would be great for breakfast or lunch or dinner. I am having a pumpkin spice latte right now and these would be a perfect combo!
These bars are begging to be washed down with some coffee – especially a PSL!
I am totally digging these bars. I’m a big fan of cinnamon so the whole tbsp works for me. I swear the UK sucks when it come to chips. No butterscotch chips, no pb chips, no cinnamon chips! Boooo Any alternative for cinnamon chips that would make my bars look as cool as these ?
No butterscotch chips, no pb chips, no cinnamon chips = that is harsh!
I wrote in the headnotes of the recipe card that no, really – there are no substitutions for the cinn chips in this recipe. I’d order them on Amazon or take a trip and stuff your suitcase full! Sorry that there’s really no way around them in this recipe. They ARE the recipe in so many ways.
@Rochelle…I have a similar dilemma…but I was thinking…perhaps here across the pond we could somehow make a “chip” substitute with Biscoff/Speculoos paste?!…I think I saw a recipe for that somewhere in the foodie blogosphere!! You might try googling it!?…Alas…this is what I may have to attempt as well if I want to make Averie’s amazing cinnamon bar!..What are your thoughts Averie?…Do you think Biscoff/Speculoos paste COULD possibly work with some cinnamon added?
The reason I wrote in the recipe that there are really no substitutes for cinn chips is b/c…there really are no subs. I would just order them online if I were you! Or come on vacation and bring a big suitcase full home :)
You could start tinkering with specu/biscoff yes but you’d have be your own teacher and student and figure out what’s going to work for you, given your situation and ingredients, since I haven’t tested. Happy experimenting!
You totally had me at the white chocolate. I love cinnamon, but i don’t think I’ve ever seen cinnamon chips. I’m very intrigued.
They are incredible! Try them! Incredible!!
Gorgeous photos! The white int eh white chocolate frosting could not look better! Wow, yum! So much cinnamon flavor going on in these things. Amazing and so hard core. I love it! I need to do an amazon order full of cinnamon chips to stock up for the season since I have a hard time finding them in stores. Pinned!
I went for over a year in San Diego of not being able to find them. Then Albertson’s started carrying them and now I think both Von’s and Ralph’s do. Try all your stores again, espicially this time of year. Lots of stores will get them seasonally, right now! Also Target. And Walmart Ive heard (But I dont shop there). Or the Hershey’s website i linked is only 2.75/bag! Cheap!
As you know it can be a pain to photograph contrasts b/c the lighting/shadows/exposure can get wonky in a hurry but thankfully these weren’t too bad. Thanks for pinning, too!
You always remind me I need to pay more attention to white chocolate! These bars look totally addictive and the photos are GORG! XO
I looove white choc and have to remind myself not to (over)use it b/c not everyone is as much of a fan. Lol
I’ve never seen cinnamon chips, but I think I’d like them! Right now I’ve been loving butterscotch chips. They’re sooooo addicting!
If you like butterscotch chips, try to find cinn chips. They’re every bit as addicting as butterscotch and add so much flavor. You’ll love them!
Gosh, the abundance of cinnamon chips throughout these bars is calling to me! Man, do they look gooood!!!!!! I think I have about five bags of cinnamon chips in the pantry right now… They’re kind of my fave :)
That is awesome you have a massive stash on hand! I went for a year or so of not being able to find them locally so when I finally did, I bought like 10 bags. I’m down to about 3-4 bags now. Better restock :)
I am a cinnamon love through and through. My mom doesn’t like cinnamon at all and that makes me very sad! These bars look right up my alley–and I love how simple they come together. :)
Maybe you can twist her arm to love it more with one of these bars :)
Cinnamon is such a fabulous Fall spice. These bars are gorgeous!
These look so good with all the cinnamon chips and white chocolate! I have to comment again on the color contrast of these bars– I love seeing that in desserts (and with food in general–“we eat with our eyes first” holds true for me). I have been much more generous with my use of cinnamon (and ginger) over the past few years so a TBS of cinnamon in the bars sounds good to me!
I loved the contrast on these too. It can be a pain to photograph b/c the camera/lighting/shadows/exposure can get wonky in a hurry but thankfully these weren’t too bad. You love the robust cinn flavor in these!
I think we’ve discussed both being cinnamon freaks;) rarely do I see cinnamon in a recipe and not think I’ll want to double it, but this may be the exception, looks perfect!
I know – you *could* double it, but it would be hardcore. As written, it’s big and bold but still within the realm of acceptable. I think :)
Oh wow these sound delicious! I bet they make the house smell heavenly.
Yes all that cinnamon is just so good smelling!
These look perfect! I love cinnamon too so these would definitely go down a treat :)
Oh Averie! Amazing! Seriously. I love how it’s LOADED with cinnamon chips. I couldn’t find cinnamon chips anywhere in LA so I had to buy a huge batch on Amazon but they all expired! Looks like I’ll have to stock up again to make this!
I would still use them anyway…they’re sugar. And cinnamon. Two things that are very hard to go bad. Unless they’re fuzzy, I’d use them :)