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Healthy Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 82 reviews

These Healthy Cinnamon Roll Cookie Bars are a guilt-free treat combining the warm, comforting flavors of cinnamon rolls in a convenient cookie bar form. Made with whole wheat or gluten-free flour and naturally sweetened with honey and stevia, these bars are topped with a creamy, protein-packed Greek yogurt and cream cheese frosting. Perfect for a wholesome dessert or snack, they bake quickly and chill to a luscious finish.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Bars

  • 1 ½ cups (180g) white whole wheat flour or gluten-free flour, measured properly
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 2 tbsp (28g) unsalted butter or coconut oil, melted and cooled slightly
  • 2 tbsp (30mL) nonfat milk, room temperature
  • 1 large egg white
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • ¼ cup (60mL) honey
  • 1 tsp liquid stevia

For the Frosting

  • ½ cup (120g) plain nonfat Greek yogurt
  • 4 oz (113g) neufchâtel or fat-free cream cheese, well softened
  • 1 serving (8g) sugar-free, fat-free cheesecake instant pudding mix
  • ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ⅜ tsp liquid stevia (or adjusted to taste)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and lightly coat an 8-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray to ensure easy removal of the cookie bars.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the white whole wheat or gluten-free flour, ground cinnamon, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined. This ensures the leavening and spices are uniformly distributed for consistent flavor and texture.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk melted and slightly cooled butter (or coconut oil) with nonfat milk, egg white, and vanilla extract. Stir in honey and liquid stevia to sweeten the mixture naturally while keeping it light.
  4. Form the Cookie Dough: Add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients and gently stir just until incorporated. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookie bars tender.
  5. Spread Dough in Pan: Using a spatula, gently press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, spreading it into a thin, even layer for uniform baking and the perfect bar thickness.
  6. Bake Cookie Bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 12 minutes, or until the center feels firm to touch but not hard. This short bake time results in soft, chewy bars.
  7. Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely at room temperature while still in the pan. This prevents the bars from breaking and prepares them for frosting.
  8. Prepare Frosting: While the bars are baking and cooling, use an electric hand-held mixer or stand mixer to beat together the plain Greek yogurt, well-softened neufchâtel or fat-free cream cheese, sugar-free cheesecake instant pudding mix, ground cinnamon, and liquid stevia. Beat for 2 minutes until smooth and creamy.
  9. Chill Frosting: Cover the frosting mixture bowl tightly with foil or plastic wrap and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours to thicken and intensify flavors.
  10. Frost the Bars: Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the chilled frosting evenly across the top using an offset spatula for smooth, neat coverage.
  11. Slice and Serve: Cut the frosted pan into 16 equal square bars and serve. Store any leftovers refrigerated.

Notes

  • Use white whole wheat flour for a healthier alternative to all-purpose flour, or substitute with a gluten-free flour blend if needed.
  • Liquid stevia is used to reduce sugar content; adjust amount to taste or substitute with your preferred sweetener.
  • The Greek yogurt and neufchâtel cheese frosting adds protein and reduces fat compared to traditional cream cheese frostings.
  • Ensure the cream cheese is well softened to achieve a smooth frosting texture.
  • Chilling the frosting before spreading makes it easier to handle and helps it set properly on the bars.
  • Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: healthy cinnamon roll cookie bars, low fat dessert, whole wheat cookie bars, Greek yogurt frosting, cinnamon bars, sugar-free dessert

Find it online: https://dinewithdylan.com/healthy-cinnamon-roll-cookie-bars-recipe/