Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch
Dense, chewy brownies infused with warm cinnamon and studded with crunchy toasted walnuts, perfect for potluck or dessert. This american-inspired desserts ready in about 50 minutes layers (2 sticks) unsalted butter, semi-sweet chocolate chips, granulated sugar into a dessert worth slowing down for — great for weekend baking, holiday tables, or any time you want a sweet payoff at the end of a meal. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 16, so it slots into a weekend bake or a special-occasion dessert tray. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter
- 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup, packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup cocoa powder
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup, toasted chopped walnuts
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat oven to 350°F. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt 1 cup unsalted butter and 1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, stirring until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat.
- Step 2: Whisk in 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar and 1/4 cup packed light brown sugar into the chocolate mixture until fully combined.
- Step 3: Add 3 large eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition until smooth. Stir in 2 tsp vanilla extract.
- Step 4: In a separate bowl, sift together 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cocoa powder, 2 tsp ground cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp salt.
- Step 5: Fold the dry ingredients gently into the wet chocolate mixture until just combined. Then fold in 1 cup toasted chopped walnuts.
- Step 6: Pour batter into a greased 9x9-inch baking pan and spread evenly. Bake for 30-35 minutes until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.
- Step 7: Cool completely in the pan before cutting into bars and serving.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch take to make?
Total time is about 50 minutes (15 min prep + 35 min cook). Most home bakers find this fits a weekend afternoon; chill or store as the recipe directs before serving.
How do I store leftover Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch?
Cool fully before storing. Most baked desserts keep at room temperature in an airtight container for 2–3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Cream- or custard-based desserts must go in the fridge within 2 hours; reheat gently or serve cold per the recipe.
Can I substitute ingredients in Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 16 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 16). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Chewy Cinnamon Brownie Bars with Walnut Crunch?
American desserts like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
