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Divine Joanna Gaines Cinnamon Squares Recipe

Divine Joanna Gaines Cinnamon Squares Recipe


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4.7 from 20 reviews

  • Total Time: 1 hour
  • Yield: 11 1x

Description

Joanna Gaines cinnamon squares blend warm spices with buttery cake for a comforting Southern treat. Layers of rich cinnamon swirl create a nostalgic dessert that invites you to savor each delightful bite.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 cups (480 ml/16 oz) flour
  • 2 cups (400 g/14 oz) brown sugar
  • ⅔ cup (150 g/5.3 oz) butter
  • 2 large eggs
  • ¼ cup (50 g/1.8 oz) sugar
  • 3 tsps ground cinnamon
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp baking soda
  • 2 tsps vanilla
  • 1 tbsp butter, melted

Instructions

  1. Oven Preparation: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F) and prepare a 23×23 centimeters baking pan by lining with foil and lightly greasing to prevent adhesion.
  2. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Whisk together flour, ground cinnamon, baking powder, and baking soda in a medium bowl, creating a uniform dry mixture.
  3. Butter-Sugar Base: Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until glossy and smooth, then remove from heat and allow brief cooling.
  4. Liquid Integration: Combine eggs and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, whisking until a cohesive liquid base forms.
  5. Batter Creation: Gently fold dry ingredients into wet ingredients, mixing minimally to maintain a tender texture. Transfer batter evenly into prepared pan, smoothing the surface.
  6. Baking Process: Bake for 25-30 minutes, verifying doneness by inserting a toothpick that comes out clean. While baking, prepare cinnamon topping by mixing ground cinnamon, granulated sugar, and melted butter.
  7. Finishing Touch: Once baked, immediately sprinkle cinnamon topping across the surface. Remove from oven and transfer to a wire rack, allowing complete cooling before slicing into uniform squares.

Notes

  • Butter Melting Tip: Melt butter and brown sugar slowly to prevent burning and ensure a smooth, glossy consistency that enhances the overall flavor profile.
  • Mixing Mastery: Stir batter gently and minimally to maintain a tender, soft texture; overmixing can lead to tough, dense cinnamon squares.
  • Toothpick Test Technique: Check doneness by inserting a clean toothpick into the center; a completely clean toothpick indicates perfectly baked squares with ideal moisture.
  • Cooling Crucial Step: Transfer bars to a wire rack using foil overhang to cool completely, allowing the texture to set and flavors to develop fully before slicing.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 11
  • Calories: 480
  • Sugar: 52 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 20 g
  • Saturated Fat: 12 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 8 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 70 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 4 g
  • Cholesterol: 100 mg