Ingredients
Scale
Before we begin, gather the following ingredients. They are easy to find and may already be sitting in your pantry, waiting to be transformed into something delightful.
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar (for the topping)
Feel free to substitute half of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour for a heartier texture or add a splash of almond extract for an extra layer of flavor.
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cream of tartar, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step always reminds me of the countless hours spent in Nonna Rosa’s kitchen, where patience was key to achieving that perfect texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix; my mother always said that a gentle hand makes the best dough.
- In a small bowl, mix the ground cinnamon and 1/4 cup sugar for the topping.
- Spread half of the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Sprinkle a generous layer of the cinnamon-sugar mixture over the top.
- Spread the remaining dough over the cinnamon-sugar layer, smoothing it out as best as you can. Top with the remaining cinnamon-sugar mixture.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting them out using the parchment paper. Cool completely on a wire rack before cutting into squares.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
