Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Sugar cookie bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, offering the same sweet, buttery flavor in a soft, easy-to-cut square form. Perfect for parties, lunchboxes, or a simple dessert, these bars are topped with a creamy frosting and fun sprinkles for an extra touch of sweetness.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp almond extract
• 3 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp milk
• 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
• pink food coloring gel (optional)
• sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cream cheese, mixing until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour and baking powder, mixing gently until a thick cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
4. Step 4: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the bars are set and the top turns a light golden brown. Let the bars cool for a few minutes before frosting.
5. Step 5: While the bars cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring gel if using. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
6. Step 6: Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookie bars. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For a different flavor, substitute almond extract with lemon or orange extract.
• If you prefer a thicker frosting, chill it briefly before spreading.
• Try adding a sprinkle of coarse sugar on top before baking for extra crunch.
• Use food coloring to match the frosting to seasonal themes or celebrations.

Storage

Store sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week. If refrigerated, allow bars to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture. These bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months; thaw them overnight in the fridge and frost before serving if desired.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce any added salt in the recipe to avoid the bars becoming too salty. Using unsalted butter gives you more control over the overall saltiness.

What can I use instead of cream cheese?

If you don’t have cream cheese on hand, you can substitute it with an equal amount of sour cream or Greek yogurt for a slightly different flavor and texture.

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 92 reviews

• Author: Andria
• Total Time: 40 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

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Description

These Sugar Cookie Bars are a deliciously soft and chewy treat, perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth with a rich buttery base topped with creamy vanilla almond frosting and festive sprinkles. Ideal for gatherings or an everyday dessert, they combine the classic flavors of sugar cookies into an easy-to-make bar form baked to golden perfection.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1/2 cup butter
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 3 Tbsp. cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2 cups all-purpose flour

Frosting

• 1/4 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pink food coloring gel (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy removal of the bars.
2. Make Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese, mixing until well combined, scraping down the bowl sides as needed for even mixing.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and baking powder until a thick cookie dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to maintain a tender texture.
4. Bake the Bars: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan using a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the bars are set and lightly golden on top. Allow to cool for several minutes before frosting.
5. Prepare Frosting: In a separate medium bowl, use a mixer to beat softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional pink food coloring until smooth and creamy. Adjust the thickness by adding more milk if too thick, or more powdered sugar if too thin.
6. Frost and Decorate: Once the bars have cooled, spread the frosting generously on top. Add sprinkles if desired for a festive touch. Cut into 16 square bars and serve.

Notes

• Make sure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and better texture.
• Do not overmix the dough to avoid tough bars.
• You can substitute almond extract with more vanilla extract if preferred.
• Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: sugar cookie bars, sugar cookies, frosted cookie bars, easy dessert, bar cookies, cream cheese frosting, festive treats