Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe

This easy snickerdoodle bars recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and is delicious! It can be doubled to feed a crowd, and is an easy dessert idea, or after school snack.

snickerdoodle bars pieces stacked on plate

The last time I was at my antique mall, I ran across a small, paperback cookbook called Baking is Fun! by Ann Pillsbury. It’s old, tattered, and wonderful. It came home with me, and I loved looking through all the recipes. The recipe for these snickerdoodle bars was listed in the cookie section, and they were called cinnamon crunches. After just one bite, I renamed them snickerdoodle bars, and I hope Ann Pillsbury doesn’t mind! Because that’s what they taste like. They have the amazing taste of a snickerdoodle cookie, but in a convenient bar form.

snickerdoodle bars batter in pan

Main Ingredients

  • Crisco shortening
  • white sugar
  • egg yolk
  • milk
  • vanilla
  • all purpose flour
  • leavening + seasoning

How To Make

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Reserve egg white for later.
  • Beat shortening and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Beat well.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  • Add flour mixture to shortening/sugar mixture in two batches.
  • Beat well, scraping sides of bowl.
  • Spoon batter into an 8 x 8 prepared baking dish.
  • Batter will be stiff. Use a spoon to smooth it out to the corners and sides of dish.
  • Beat egg white and brush it on top of batter.
  • Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of egg white/batter.
  • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
  • Cool slightly and then cut into squares.
baked snickerdoodle bars

Tips for Perfect Snickerdoodle Bars

  • The batter for these snickerdoodle bars goes together quickly, but is a little stiff. I used a large metal spoon to spread it to the edges of my baking dish.
  • If the timing works out, try to bake these so you can serve them warm. They are truly amazing.
  • Don’t skip the last step, because it’s the egg white wash and cinnamon sugar mixture that puts the crunch in these bars.
  • Don’t be fooled by the fact that these are thin bars. They are moist and packed full of flavor.
  • I like that this recipe bakes in an 8 x 8 dish. It makes just enough for dessert after dinner, with a snack left for the next day. If you need more than just a few bars, this recipe can also be doubled, and baked in a 9 x 13 pan.
  • The bars stay fresh in an air tight container for several days. 

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Can You Freeze Snickerdoodle Bars?

The answer to that question is a yes! Let the bars cool completely, and then cut into squares. Place the squares in an airtight container, and freeze for up to 2 months. To thaw, remove the snickerdoodle bars and let them sit at room temperature. (Don’t try to defrost them in the microwave.)

snickerdoodle bars in pan cut into pieces

This is the perfect recipe to pull out when you want something homemade, but don’t have much time to bake. It also uses basic pantry ingredients, so you can make these snickerdoodle bars any time, without planning a trip to the grocery store. This is a very simple recipe, from a simpler time. The cookbook this recipe came from was published in 1948. It’s truly a keeper!

Author’s Note

Please keep in mind that this is a very old recipe. Shortening and lard were used regularly in recipes back in the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. If you prefer not to use Crisco, butter can be substituted, but the bars will be thinner and have a slightly different texture.

triangle pieces of snickerdoodle bars

Related Posts

If you are a fan of all things snickerdoodle, you will definitely want to check out these recipes!

baked snickerdoodle bars

Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe

This easy snickerdoodle bars recipe uses basic pantry ingredients and is delicious! Can be doubled to feed a crowd. An easy dessert idea or after school snack.
Rate this Recipe Print Recipe Pin Recipe
5 from 6 votes
Servings: 9 pieces
Author: Ann Drake
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup Crisco shortening
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons Milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon

Topping

  • 1 egg white
  • 3 tablespoons Sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Separate the egg yolk from the egg white. Reserve egg white for later.
  • Beat shortening and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth.
  • Add egg yolk, milk and vanilla. Beat well.
  • Sift together flour, baking powder, salt and cinnamon.
  • Add flour mixture to shortening/sugar mixture in two batches.
  • Beat well, scraping sides of bowl.
  • Spoon batter into an 8 x 8 prepared baking dish.
  • Batter will be stiff. Use a spoon to smooth it out to the corners and sides of dish.
  • Beat egg white and brush it on top of batter.
  • Mix 3 tablespoons sugar and 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon. Sprinkle on top of egg white/batter.
  • Bake for 20 – 25 minutes.
  • Cool slightly and then cut into squares.

Notes

I prepare my baking pans with Baker’s Joy.

Nutrition

Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 22mg | Sodium: 73mg | Potassium: 28mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 15g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg
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If you make this recipe, and love it, please come back to leave a comment and a 5-star review. I would really appreciate it, and it would help me so much. Thank you!

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12 Comments

  1. patricia martinez says:

    Hi,
    How much butter do I add if I don’t want to use Crisco?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Patricia…use the same amount. If you try the recipe with butter, please let us know how the bars come out. Thank you!

  2. Blue Gate Farmgirl says:

    I cannot wait to try this recipe. I have a sweet neighbor who loves to help me with my projects that require “whiskers and related toys/tools” his only fee is snickerdoodles. I have him on a bi-weekly snickerdoodle delivery schedule. Will try this recipe for this week’s offering.

  3. What size pan are these baked in?

  4. Hi Ann…thank you so much for this delicious recipe. My family are big fans of snicker doodle anything so this is just perfect. Not to mention it was quick and easy to make.

  5. Donna Tepe says:

    What temperature and time would it take to bake a double batch in a 9 x13 dish?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Donna…bake a larger pan at the same temp (350 degrees F.) I’m not exactly sure about the baking time for a larger pan. Set your timer for 25 minutes and check the bars in the middle. If they are still soft and doughy, bake them for another 5 or 10 minutes. The bars are done when they are golden around the edges.

  6. Kathy Holland says:

    May I use butter versus the crisco?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      Hi Kathy…yes you can use butter. The bars may turn out a bit flatter, but they will still be good!

  7. Can anything be substituted for the Crisco?

    1. Ann Drake says:

      You can substitute butter for the Crisco. Thank you!

  8. Thanks, Ann, they look great! And I love that they use just basic ingredients. Plus it is a smaller recipe which works well for me. Will definitely be trying them. Love all your great ideas and recipes.