Sugar Cookie Bars: A Delicious, Easy-to-Make Dessert Everyone Will Love

Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for those who crave the classic flavor of sugar cookies but prefer a more convenient, less time-consuming version. These bars are thick, soft, chewy, and topped with a sweet, creamy frosting that will have you coming back for more. They are ideal for any celebration, holiday, or even as a simple treat for yourself or loved ones.

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The best part about these sugar cookie bars is how they combine all the elements of a traditional sugar cookie—lightly crisp edges, a soft center, and a delicate sweetness—while being so much easier to make. The frosting adds an extra layer of sweetness, and the colorful sprinkles make them visually appealing, making them not just a delicious treat but also a fun and festive one.

Ingredients

For the Sugar Cookie Bars, you’ll need:

• 1/2 cup butter (softened)
• 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

For the Sugar Cookie Frosting, you’ll need:

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

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Prepare the Cookie Dough

To start, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This step is important to ensure your bars don’t stick to the pan and come out easily once baked.

Next, in a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes. Once fluffy, add in the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese. Beat the mixture until everything is well incorporated.

Step 2: Add Dry Ingredients

Slowly add in the flour and baking powder. It’s important to do this gradually to avoid creating a mess and to ensure the dough comes together without being overmixed. You should have a thick cookie dough batter when the flour is fully incorporated. If your dough feels too thick to spread easily, feel free to add a tablespoon or two of milk to loosen it up slightly.

Step 3: Bake the Bars

Now, spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9 x 9-inch baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth it out, making sure the dough is spread evenly across the pan.

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the top is light golden brown and the center is set. Keep an eye on the bars as baking times may vary slightly depending on your oven. Let the cookie bars cool for a few minutes before frosting.

Step 4: Make the Frosting

While the cookie bars are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. If you want to add some color, incorporate a few drops of pink food coloring gel to give your frosting a lovely pastel shade.

If the frosting feels too thick, add a little more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach your desired consistency. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. You want the frosting to be spreadable but not too runny.

Step 5: Frost and Garnish

Once the bars have cooled, generously spread the frosting over the top of each one. If desired, top with sprinkles to add a fun, festive touch. You can use any type of sprinkles you prefer, whether that’s rainbow, holiday-themed, or simple sugar crystals.

Step 6: Slice and Serve

Once the frosting is applied, it’s time to slice the sugar cookie bars. For perfect slices, refrigerate the frosted bars for a few minutes to allow the frosting to set. This will help you cut neat, uniform squares. You can cut them into 16 smaller squares or 9 larger ones, depending on how big you want your servings to be. If you’re feeling creative, you can also cut them into rectangles or even triangles.

Tips for Perfect Sugar Cookie Bars

• Chill the dough: If you have the time, chilling the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help prevent the bars from spreading too much in the pan.
• Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing the dough can result in dense and tough cookie bars. Mix the ingredients just until they’re incorporated to keep the texture soft and chewy.
• Customize the frosting: While the pink frosting is great for Valentine’s Day or spring celebrations, you can easily swap out the food coloring and sprinkles to suit the occasion. Red and green for Christmas, orange and black for Halloween, or even blue and yellow for a fun summer treat.
• Make it dairy-free: If you’re looking for a dairy-free version, you can use dairy-free butter and non-dairy milk (like almond or oat milk). The frosting can also be made with powdered sugar and dairy-free margarine instead of butter.

Variations and Substitutions

While these sugar cookie bars are delicious as-is, you can experiment with different flavors and toppings to customize them for different occasions.

• Flavor variations: You can switch up the flavor of the cookie dough by adding different extracts, like coconut extract, lemon extract, or almond extract. You can also add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or even orange zest for a subtle twist.
• Frosting flavors: Instead of vanilla frosting, you can try chocolate, strawberry, or even cream cheese frosting. You can add cocoa powder to the frosting to create a chocolate version, or mix in some fruit puree for a fun twist.
• Add-ins: To make these cookie bars even more decadent, try adding in some mix-ins like chocolate chips, sprinkles, mini marshmallows, or chopped nuts. If you want a fruity twist, try adding fresh berries to the dough or frosting.

Serving Suggestions

Sugar cookie bars are versatile and can be served in a variety of ways. They’re perfect for:

• Parties and gatherings: With their vibrant colors and sweet flavor, these cookie bars make a great treat for birthday parties, baby showers, or holiday gatherings.
• Bake sales: These bars hold up well and are easy to package for bake sales or gift-giving. Wrap them in cellophane bags or box them up for a sweet, homemade gift.
• Afternoon tea or coffee breaks: Serve these alongside a cup of tea or coffee for a delightful mid-afternoon treat.
• Picnics: Since these bars are portable and easy to handle, they’re great for taking to picnics or barbecues.

Storing and Freezing Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar cookie bars are easy to store and will stay fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. If you need to store them for longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. To freeze the bars, cut them into squares, and place them in a single layer on a baking sheet. Freeze them for about an hour, then transfer the bars to an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to enjoy, simply thaw them at room temperature for a few hours.

Conclusion

These Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of soft, chewy, and sweet. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or simply for a treat to enjoy at home, they are sure to impress. The simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions make them a fun and accessible dessert for bakers of all skill levels. Customize the frosting, experiment with flavors, and serve them however you like. Whatever you do, just be sure to enjoy the delicious sweetness that these sugar cookie bars have to offer!