Easy Joanna Gaines Cinnamon Squares Recipe: Sweet Weekend Joy

Joanna Gaines’s cinnamon squares are a delightful baked indulgence that transforms ordinary moments into sweet celebrations.

Warm, comforting aromas fill the kitchen as these soft squares promise pure happiness.

Each bite combines rich, tender textures with a delicate spice that dances across your palate.

Baker’s favorite ingredients blend seamlessly, creating a simple yet irresistible treat that feels like a warm embrace.

Nostalgic flavors and simple preparation make these squares accessible to home cooks of all skill levels.

Homemade goodness radiates from these beautifully crafted squares, inviting everyone to gather and enjoy.

Prepare to fall in love with a dessert that speaks directly to your comfort-loving heart:

What’s to Love About Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Squares

• Savor Aromatic Comfort: These cinnamon squares deliver warm, cozy flavors that wrap you in delightful sweetness, creating an instant homey feeling with every single bite.
• Effortless Baking Brilliance: The one-pan method and simple mixing technique make this recipe perfect for bakers of all skill levels, requiring minimal kitchen equipment and basic ingredients.
• Quick Weekend Treat: Ready in just two hours, these squares are ideal for spontaneous baking sessions, weekend gatherings, or satisfying sudden dessert cravings without complicated preparation.
• Versatile Crowd-Pleaser: Perfectly balanced between soft cake-like texture and rich cinnamon flavor, these squares work wonderfully as a breakfast pastry, afternoon snack, or casual dessert that everyone will adore.

Cinnamon Squares Ingredients from Joanna Gaines

• All-Purpose Flour: Key structural ingredient for the cake's foundation, ensuring a tender and soft texture.
• Baking Powder: Essential for helping the squares rise and creating a light, airy consistency.
• Bicarbonate of Soda: Helps with browning and provides additional leavening support.

• Butter: Provides rich flavor and moisture, creating a tender crumb in the squares.
• Brown Sugar: Adds deep caramel-like sweetness and helps keep the squares moist.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together and contribute to the structure of the squares.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with its warm, aromatic profile.

• Cinnamon: Signature spice that gives warmth and depth to the entire dessert, use fresh ground for best flavor.
• Caster Sugar: Creates a sweet, crisp topping with delicate texture.

How to Bake Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Squares

Step 1: Prepare Baking Space

Warm up your oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 23×23 cm (9×9-inch) baking pan with aluminum foil, letting it hang 5 cm (2-inch) over the edges. Lightly grease the foil to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Blend Dry Ingredients

• All-purpose flour
• Ground cinnamon
• Baking powder
• Baking soda

Set the mixture aside for later.

Step 3: Create Butter Sugar Base

In a large saucepan, melt butter with brown sugar over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.

Step 4: Incorporate Wet Ingredients

Whisk in eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture until thoroughly combined and silky.

Step 5: Mix Batter Gently

Slowly pour dry ingredients into the saucepan. Whisk carefully until a smooth batter forms. Mix just until ingredients are incorporated – avoid overmixing.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Spread batter evenly in the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Add Cinnamon Topping

• Gground cinnamon
• Caster sugar
• Melted butter

Sprinkle this delightful mixture over the freshly baked bars.

Step 8: Cool and Serve

Using foil overhang, carefully lift bars from the pan. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool completely. Slice into square portions and enjoy your delectable treat!

Tips for Better Cinnamon Squares by Joanna Gaines

• Prevent Egg Scramble: Cool down the melted butter and brown sugar mixture before adding eggs to stop them from cooking instantly.
• Master Mixing Technique: Stir wet and dry ingredients just until smooth, avoiding overmixing that leads to tough, dense squares.
• Cut Cleanly Every Time: Create a foolproof removal system by lining the pan with greased aluminum foil, ensuring easy lifting and perfect slices.
• Nail the Baking Sweet Spot: Insert a toothpick around 25 minutes to check doneness – you want moist crumbs, not wet batter or dry edges.
• Precision Matters Most: Grab a kitchen scale to measure flour and sugar exactly, guaranteeing consistent texture and bakery-worthy results.

Cinnamon Squares Storage Tips from Joanna Gaines

• Airtight Container Method: Seal completely cooled cinnamon squares in a rigid, high-quality container with a tight-fitting lid. Place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain their delicate texture. This technique preserves moisture and prevents flavor absorption from other refrigerated items.
• Freezer Preservation Method: Individually wrap each square in plastic wrap, ensuring no air pockets remain. Transfer wrapped squares into a freezer-safe ziplock bag, removing excess air before sealing. Label the bag with the date and contents for easy tracking. Frozen squares maintain excellent quality for up to 3 months, offering a convenient make-ahead dessert option.
• Room Temperature Storage Method: Keep squares in a sealed container at room temperature for maximum 2-3 days. Place the container in a cool, dark pantry away from direct sunlight or heat sources.

Unique Spins on Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Squares

• Nutty Crunch Squares: Fold chopped pecans or walnuts into the batter for added texture and rich flavor. Sprinkle extra nuts on top before baking to enhance the crunch.
• Chocolate Swirl Squares: Drizzle melted dark chocolate over the cinnamon topping or mix chocolate chips directly into the batter for a decadent chocolate-cinnamon combination.
• Cream Cheese Glaze Squares: Create a tangy cream cheese frosting by blending softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and a touch of vanilla. Spread the glaze over cooled squares for a creamy finish.
• Spiced Apple Squares: Fold finely diced fresh apples into the batter and add a pinch of nutmeg alongside the cinnamon for a warm, autumn-inspired dessert that celebrates classic flavor pairings.

Final Bite of Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Squares

Joanna Gaines’ Cinnamon Squares embody comfort and warmth in each delectable bite.

Fragrant cinnamon weaves through layers of buttery sweetness, creating homemade magic that transcforms ordinary afternoons.

Baking passion shines through her signature recipe, connecting family and friends around shared culinary experiences.

Kitchen aromas promise memories waiting to unfold with each square carefully crafted.

Professional bakers and home cooks can master this simple yet sophisticated dessert.

Readers like you will love sharing these irresistible squares – snap a photo, post on social media, and spread delicious joy with friends who crave comfort and connection.

Joanna Gaines Cinnamon Squares Recipe

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4.6 from 40 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Joanna Gaines’ cinnamon squares deliver pure comfort with their warm, spiced layers of sweetness. Homemade goodness melts in your mouth, inviting memories of kitchen warmth and delightful weekend baking adventures.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Main Ingredients:

• 2 cups (480 ml) flour spooned and leveled
• 2 cups (400 g) brown sugar packed
• ⅔ cup (150 g) butter
• 2 large eggs

Spices and Seasonings:

• 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ¼ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons vanilla

Additional Ingredients:

• ¼ cup (50 g) sugar
• 1 tablespoon butter melted

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Instructions

1. Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 175°C (350°F). Line a 23×23 centimeters (9×9-inch) baking pan with aluminum foil, ensuring a 5 centimeters (2-inch) overhang on each side. Lightly coat the foil with cooking spray or butter to prevent sticking.
2. Create the dry ingredient blend by combining all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium mixing bowl. Set the mixture aside for later integration.
3. Melt unsalted butter and brown sugar together in a large saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until the mixture becomes uniform and glossy, then remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
4. Incorporate whole eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, whisking thoroughly to create a smooth, homogeneous liquid base.
5. Gradually fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring gently to create a consistent batter. Mix just until combined, taking care not to overmix and develop tough texture.
6. Transfer the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan, ensuring a smooth surface. Place in the preheated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes, checking doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should emerge clean when the bars are fully cooked.
7. Craft a simple topping by blending remaining ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, and melted butter in a small bowl. Sprinkle this aromatic mixture generously across the surface of the freshly baked bars.
8. Allow the baked dessert to cool completely by lifting the foil overhang and transferring to a wire cooling rack. Once temperature normalizes, slice into uniform squares for serving.

Notes

• Prepping this pan creates effortless removal with zero sticking, ensuring beautiful, clean-cut squares every single time.
• Cooling butter mixture prevents accidental egg scrambling, maintaining smooth, silky batter consistency.
• Gentle mixing technique keeps squares tender, avoiding tough, dense texture that ruins delicate dessert experience.
• Precision matters when measuring ingredients, with kitchen scale guaranteeing consistent results across multiple batches.
• Strategic baking window between 25-30 minutes delivers perfect moisture balance, transforming simple ingredients into irresistible treat.

• Prep Time: 40 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 426 kcal
• Sugar: 32g
• Sodium: 169mg
• Fat: 20g
• Saturated Fat: 8.6g
• Carbohydrates: 59g
• Fiber: 2.5g
• Protein: 6.5g
• Cholesterol: 56mg