Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (you can substitute with whole wheat pastry flour for a nuttier flavor)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup buttermilk (if you don’t have buttermilk, mix 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon lemon juice or vinegar and let sit for 5 minutes)
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar (for the topping)
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon (for the topping)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted (for the topping)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. Set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-4 minutes with a hand mixer. I always remember my mom telling me that patience at this step makes all the difference in the texture.
- Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Alternately add the dry ingredients and the buttermilk to the butter mixture, starting and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix gently—don’t overwork the batter. The texture should be smooth and thick but pourable.
- Pour the batter evenly into the prepared pan, smoothing the top with a spatula.
- In a small bowl, combine the brown sugar, cinnamon, and melted butter for the topping. Sprinkle this mixture evenly over the batter.
- Bake for 30-35 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. The edges should be golden and the cinnamon topping slightly caramelized.
- Allow the bars to cool in the pan for at least 20 minutes before lifting them out with the parchment paper. Cut into squares or bars once fully cooled.
- Serve warm or at room temperature with a cup of coffee or a glass of milk—this is how my family always enjoyed them in Monterey. It’s a simple pleasure that never gets old.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Dish
- Method: Cooking
- Cuisine: International
