Delight your taste buds with these scrumptious Sugar Cookie Bars! Soft and chewy with a creamy frosting on top, these bars are a perfect treat for any occasion. Whether you’re hosting a party, celebrating a holiday, or just craving a sweet snack, these bars are sure to impress. Easy to make and customizable with sprinkles or other decorations, these sugar cookie bars are a fun twist on the classic sugar cookie!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
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Soft and Chewy: The texture of these cookie bars is perfectly soft and chewy, making them a hit for all ages.
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Creamy Frosting: Topped with a smooth, creamy frosting that’s both sweet and satisfying.
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Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or just a casual get-together, these cookie bars are always a crowd-pleaser.
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Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, these cookie bars come together in no time.
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Customizable: You can add sprinkles, colored frosting, or even fun decorations to suit your occasion.
Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Bars
For the Cookie Bars:
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1 cup butter, softened
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1 cup granulated sugar
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1 large egg
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1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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1 teaspoon almond extract
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3 cups all-purpose flour, fluffed (see note)
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1 teaspoon baking powder
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1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
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1/2 cup butter, softened
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1 lb powdered sugar
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2 teaspoons vanilla extract
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3-4 tablespoons milk
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Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
For the Cookie Bars:
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Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray it with nonstick cooking spray.
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Make the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
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Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, combining well.
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Add Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
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Spread the Dough: Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula.
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Bake: Bake for 20-25 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 baking dish before frosting.
For the Frosting:
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Make the Frosting: In a medium mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
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Add Flavor and Consistency: Mix in the vanilla extract and gradually add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency.
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Frost the Bars: Once the bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Serve and Enjoy:
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Once frosted and decorated, cut the bars into squares and serve. Enjoy!
Servings and Timing
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Servings: 24 squares
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Prep Time: 30 minutes
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Cook Time: 20 minutes
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Total Time: 50 minutes
Storage and Reheating
Storage:
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Refrigerator: Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them come to room temperature before serving, or enjoy them chilled.
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Freezer: You can freeze the frosted sugar cookie bars for up to 3 months. To freeze, place the bars in a single layer on a baking sheet, freeze until solid, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. Thaw in the fridge or at room temperature before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I make the cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the bars ahead of time and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Frost them when you’re ready to serve.
2. Can I use a hand mixer instead of a stand mixer?
Yes, a hand mixer works perfectly for this recipe. Just ensure that you cream the butter and sugar well for a light texture.
3. Can I add different flavors to the frosting?
Absolutely! You can mix in cocoa powder for a chocolate frosting, or add lemon zest or almond extract for different flavor profiles.
4. Can I substitute the butter for something else?
If you’re looking for a dairy-free option, you can substitute the butter with vegan butter or margarine. The texture may vary slightly, but the flavor will still be great.
5. How do I fluff the flour?
To fluff flour, simply spoon it into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. This ensures that you don’t over-measure the flour, which can make the bars dense.
6. Can I decorate these cookie bars for different holidays?
Yes, these bars are perfect for customization! You can use different colored sprinkles, or top them with themed decorations for various holidays and occasions.
7. Can I add chocolate chips to the cookie dough?
Yes, feel free to fold in chocolate chips or other mix-ins like nuts, M&Ms, or dried fruit to the dough before baking.
8. How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The bars are done when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs attached.
9. Can I use a different pan size?
If you use a different size pan, the baking time may vary. A larger pan will make the bars thinner and cook faster, while a smaller pan will require a longer baking time.
10. Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes, you can omit the almond extract if you prefer. The vanilla extract alone will still provide a lovely flavor, but the almond extract adds a subtle depth.
Conclusion
These Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect balance of soft, chewy cookie with a creamy, sweet frosting on top. Easy to make, customizable, and full of flavor, they’re sure to become a favorite for every occasion. Whether you’re baking for a special event or just because, these sugar cookie bars will definitely satisfy your sweet tooth!
Print
Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy frosting, making them the perfect treat for any occasion. With a light, buttery flavor and a fun sprinkle topping, these bars are easy to make and sure to be a crowd-pleaser!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour, fluffed*
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 lb powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3–4 tablespoons milk
Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Instructions
Preheat the oven:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
Make the cookie dough:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract, and mix until fully incorporated.
Add the dry ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring until well combined.
Bake the cookie bars:
Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Let the bars cool completely.
Prepare the frosting:
In a mixing bowl, beat together butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Gradually add milk until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
Frost the bars:
Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
Cut and serve:
Slice into 24 bars and enjoy!
Notes
Fluffing the flour: Be sure to aerate the flour before measuring to avoid dense bars.
Cooling: Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
