Sugar cookies are a classic treat loved by many, and while their traditional form is always a crowd-pleaser, have you ever considered making them in bar form? Enter Sugar Cookie Bars—a soft, chewy, and perfectly sweet dessert that combines all the deliciousness of sugar cookies with the ease of a bar recipe. These sugar cookie bars are topped with a vibrant, creamy frosting and sprinkles, making them a perfect choice for any celebration. Whether you’re planning a holiday gathering, a birthday bash, or just want to satisfy a sweet craving, these sugar cookie bars are a simple, delightful way to indulge.
PrintSugar Cookie Bars: A Delicious, Simple, and Fun Treat for Beginners
Sweet, soft, and absolutely irresistible! 🍪✨ These Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for beginners. No rolling, no chilling—just easy, delicious bars with that classic sugar cookie taste! Top with sprinkles, frosting, or enjoy them plain—either way, they’re guaranteed to satisfy. Fun to make, even more fun to eat! Ready for a bite? 😋🍰 #SugarCookieBars #BeginnerBaking #EasyDesserts #NoFussTreats #DeliciousAndSimple #FunToMake #BakingForBeginners #SweetAndSimple #HomemadeHappiness #CookieLovers
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 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:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk (more if needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring gel (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. This will take about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese. Mix until everything is well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients, mixing until a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Spread the Dough: Transfer the cookie dough into your prepared baking pan and use a spatula to evenly spread the dough into all corners of the pan.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown, and the cookie bars are set in the center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the bars cool for a few minutes in the pan.
- Prepare 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. Add the pink food coloring gel (if using) and mix until the color is fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cookie Bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled for a few minutes, spread the frosting generously over the top of the bars using an offset spatula or butter knife. Be sure to spread the frosting evenly across the entire surface.
- Add Sprinkles: If desired, top with colorful sprinkles to make your bars even more festive.
- Cut and Serve: Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before cutting the bars. For 16 regular-sized bars, use a sharp knife to cut the cooled, frosted bars into squares. You can also cut them into rectangles or triangles if you prefer. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the flour, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars.
- Check for Doneness: To ensure your cookie bars are fully cooked, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they are ready to come out of the oven.
- How to Tell If the Frosting is Right: If your frosting is too thick, it may be difficult to spread. Add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, to get the right consistency. On the other hand, if it’s too runny, add powdered sugar until it thickens.
- Cutting Tips: Refrigerating the frosted bars for a few minutes will make it easier to get clean cuts. It also helps the frosting to set properly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
Why This Recipe is Perfect for Beginners
For beginner cooks, the idea of making cookies can seem intimidating, but making sugar cookies in bar form takes all the guesswork out of the process. This recipe is straightforward, with a few basic ingredients that come together in no time. You don’t need to worry about rolling out dough, cutting shapes, or baking multiple batches; everything comes together in one pan, and there’s no need for cookie cutters or precise measurements. The result? A gorgeous, thick, soft bar that has all the flavors of a classic sugar cookie without any of the hassle.
Ingredients and Preparation
To make these sugar cookie bars, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Here’s what you’ll need to gather:
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 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:
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk (more if needed)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring gel (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Ingredient Substitutions:
- Butter: If you need a dairy-free option, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter substitute.
- Cream Cheese: If you don’t have cream cheese, you can substitute it with an additional 3 tablespoons of butter, but it will change the flavor slightly.
- Flour: You can use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend if you’re making the bars gluten-free.
- Milk: Any milk (dairy or non-dairy) will work in this recipe. If you want a thicker frosting, reduce the milk slightly.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Let’s get into the easy, fun part: making these sugar cookie bars!
- Preheat the Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a large bowl, use either a hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. This will take about 1-2 minutes. Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese. Mix until everything is well combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients, mixing until a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Spread the Dough: Transfer the cookie dough into your prepared baking pan and use a spatula to evenly spread the dough into all corners of the pan.
- Bake the Bars: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is lightly golden brown, and the cookie bars are set in the center. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. Let the bars cool for a few minutes in the pan.
- Prepare 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. Add the pink food coloring gel (if using) and mix until the color is fully incorporated. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk, one tablespoon at a time. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the Cookie Bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled for a few minutes, spread the frosting generously over the top of the bars using an offset spatula or butter knife. Be sure to spread the frosting evenly across the entire surface.
- Add Sprinkles: If desired, top with colorful sprinkles to make your bars even more festive.
- Cut and Serve: Allow the frosting to set for a few minutes before cutting the bars. For 16 regular-sized bars, use a sharp knife to cut the cooled, frosted bars into squares. You can also cut them into rectangles or triangles if you prefer. Serve and enjoy!
Beginner Tips and Notes
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: When adding the flour, mix just until the dough comes together. Overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars.
- Check for Doneness: To ensure your cookie bars are fully cooked, insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs, they are ready to come out of the oven.
- How to Tell If the Frosting is Right: If your frosting is too thick, it may be difficult to spread. Add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, to get the right consistency. On the other hand, if it’s too runny, add powdered sugar until it thickens.
- Cutting Tips: Refrigerating the frosted bars for a few minutes will make it easier to get clean cuts. It also helps the frosting to set properly.
Serving Suggestions
While these sugar cookie bars are delicious on their own, you can pair them with a variety of sides or sauces to elevate the treat:
- Fresh Berries: A handful of fresh strawberries or raspberries alongside the bars can add a refreshing, tangy contrast to the sweet cookie bars.
- Ice Cream: Serve these cookie bars with a scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
- Coffee or Tea: Enjoy these bars with a hot cup of coffee or a soothing herbal tea for a cozy treat.
Storage Tips:
- These sugar cookie bars can be stored in the same baking pan, covered with plastic wrap or transferred to an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for about 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week. If storing them in the fridge, let them come to room temperature before serving for the best taste and texture.
Engagement Features
There’s something special about creating a fun, colorful dessert that’s sure to please both kids and adults alike. These sugar cookie bars are perfect for any occasion and easy enough for beginners to make. Whether you’re baking for a holiday, a birthday, or just because, these bars are bound to be a hit. I’d love to hear how they turned out! Let me know in the comments below how your sugar cookie bars looked, and feel free to share any creative tweaks you made to the recipe. Happy baking!
With their thick, chewy texture, sweet flavor, and vibrant frosting, these sugar cookie bars are a delightful dessert for any occasion. And with the simple steps, this recipe is perfect for beginners looking to try their hand at baking. The soft, buttery dough topped with smooth frosting and colorful sprinkles makes for a sweet treat that’s sure to impress.