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The Best Cinnamon Cream Cheese Bars - Sweet, Cozy, and So Easy

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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes
Servings: 16 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • Crescent roll dough: 2 cans (8 ounces each), regular or buttery.
  • Cream cheese: 16 ounces, softened.
  • Granulated sugar: 1 cup (divided: 3/4 cup for filling, 1/4 cup for topping).
  • Ground cinnamon: 1–1.5 tablespoons (to taste).
  • Vanilla extract: 1–2 teaspoons.
  • Unsalted butter: 1/2 cup (1 stick), melted.
  • Pinch of salt: Optional, to balance sweetness.
  • Optional add-ins: 1/4 cup chopped pecans or walnuts, a drizzle of honey, or powdered sugar for dusting.

Method
 

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese, 3/4 cup sugar, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy, about 1–2 minutes.
  3. Unroll one can of crescent dough and press it evenly into the bottom of the pan. Pinch seams together to seal.
  4. Spread the cream cheese mixture over the dough in an even layer, reaching the corners.
  5. Unroll the second can of crescent dough and gently lay it on top. Pinch seams and tuck edges slightly.
  6. In a small bowl, mix 1/4 cup sugar with cinnamon. Pour the melted butter evenly over the top layer of dough, then sprinkle the cinnamon sugar over the butter. For extra crunch, add nuts now if using.
  7. Bake for 28–35 minutes, until the top is golden brown and the edges are bubbling slightly. The center should look set, not jiggly.
  8. Cool in the pan for at least 30–45 minutes before slicing. For neat bars, chill for 1–2 hours, then cut into squares.