Sugar Cookie Bars

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Sugar Cookie Bars combine the nostalgic taste of sugar cookies with the convenience of bars. They’re soft, buttery, and chewy with a tender crumb, making them perfect for slicing and sharing. The creamy frosting adds a delightful sweetness that complements the subtle vanilla flavor of the cookie base. Plus, they’re incredibly easy to make, requiring simple ingredients and minimal effort—ideal for bakers of all skill levels.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookie Bars:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1-2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Sprinkles, for decorating

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Directions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:

   • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.

2. Make the Sugar Cookie Base:

   • In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

   • Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.

   • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

   • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.

3. Bake the Bars:

   • Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.

   • Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.

   • Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.

4. Prepare the Frosting:

   • In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.

   • Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth.

   • Add vanilla extract and milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach a spreadable consistency.

5. Frost and Decorate:

   • Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled sugar cookie bars.

   • Sprinkle with your favorite colorful sprinkles for a festive touch.

6. Slice and Serve:

   • Cut into squares or rectangles and serve.

Servings and Timing

• Servings: 16-20 bars

• Prep time: 15 minutes

• Cook time: 25-30 minutes

• Total time: 50 minutes

Variations

• Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Add 1 tbsp lemon zest to the batter and 1 tsp lemon juice to the frosting for a citrus twist.

• Chocolate Chip Bars: Fold in 1 cup of mini chocolate chips into the batter before baking.

• Gluten-Free Version: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.

• Funfetti Bars: Stir in colorful sprinkles into the batter for a festive surprise inside the bars.

• Cream Cheese Frosting: Substitute cream cheese for butter in the frosting for a tangy variation.

Storage/Reheating

• Storage: Store sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.

• Freezing: Wrap bars tightly in plastic wrap and place in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving.

• Reheating: These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature but can be warmed slightly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

FAQs

Can I make these bars without frosting?

Yes! The bars are delicious on their own with a buttery, sweet flavor. Frosting is optional but adds extra sweetness and moisture.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to avoid over-salting.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming too dry?

Avoid overbaking and be sure to remove the bars from the oven as soon as a toothpick comes out clean. Also, frosting helps keep them moist.

Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?

Absolutely, a hand mixer works well for creaming the butter and sugar and mixing the frosting.

Can I add nuts to the batter?

Yes, chopped nuts like pecans or walnuts can be folded into the batter for added texture.

Can I make these bars vegan?

You can substitute butter with a vegan butter alternative and use flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg) instead of eggs.

How do I store frosted bars without smudging the frosting?

Place toothpicks in the bars and cover loosely with plastic wrap or store in a container with a tall lid to avoid touching the frosting.

Can I use a different flavor extract in the frosting?

Yes, almond, maple, or peppermint extract can be used to give the frosting a different flavor.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double the ingredients and bake in two pans or a larger pan, adjusting the baking time as needed.

How thick should the frosting be?

The frosting should be spreadable but thick enough to hold sprinkles. Adjust with milk or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency.

Conclusion

Sugar Cookie Bars offer all the classic flavors of sugar cookies in an easy-to-make, shareable bar form. Soft, chewy, and topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles, these bars are perfect for celebrations, snacks, or everyday indulgences. Simple ingredients and straightforward steps make this recipe accessible for bakers of all skill levels, while the results deliver sweet satisfaction every time. Whether you keep them plain or customize with mix-ins and flavored frosting, Sugar Cookie Bars are sure to become a favorite treat!

Sugar Cookie Bars

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• Author: Alice
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 30 minutes
• Total Time: 50 minutes
• Yield: 16-20 bars
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegan

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Description

Sugar Cookie Bars capture the classic buttery, sweet flavor of sugar cookies in an easy-to-cut, chewy bar form. Topped with creamy frosting and festive sprinkles, these bars are perfect for parties, bake sales, or a simple homemade dessert. Soft and tender with a subtle vanilla flavor, they’re quick to make and always a crowd-pleaser.

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Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookie Bars:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 2 large eggs

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 1/2 tsp salt

For the Frosting:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 2 cups powdered sugar

• 1-2 tbsp milk

• 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Sprinkles, for decorating

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Instructions

• Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan.

• Make the Sugar Cookie Base: In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing just until combined.

• Bake the Bars: Spread batter evenly in prepared pan. Bake 25-30 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely in pan on wire rack.

• Prepare the Frosting: Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Add vanilla and milk one tablespoon at a time until spreadable.

• Frost and Decorate: Spread frosting over cooled bars. Top with sprinkles.

• Slice and Serve: Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy

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Notes

Add lemon zest and juice for a citrus variation.Fold in mini chocolate chips or sprinkles into batter for mix-ins.Use gluten-free flour blend to make gluten-free bars.Cream cheese frosting can replace butter frosting for tanginess . Store bars in airtight container at room temp for 3 days or refrigerate up to 1 week.Freeze tightly wrapped for up to 3 months.