Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect solution when you crave soft, buttery sugar cookies but don’t want the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. These bars have all the classic sugar cookie flavors—sweet, vanilla-infused, and slightly crisp on the edges—paired with a thick, creamy frosting.
Quick, easy, and made in just one pan, they’re ideal for parties, bake sales, or anytime you need a crowd-pleasing treat. Plus, you can customize them with your favorite frosting colors and sprinkles to match any occasion!
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base
- 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups (250g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
For the Frosting
- 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups (375g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup (60ml) milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Directions
For the Cookie Base
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Spread Dough: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or your hands to smooth the surface.
- Bake: Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake.
- Cool: Allow the cookie base to cool completely in the pan.
For the Frosting
- Cream Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add Sugar and Milk: Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, alternating between the two, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Add Color (Optional): Mix in food coloring if desired.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie base.
- Decorate: Add sprinkles or other decorations as desired.
Prep Time
15 minutes
Cook Time
20 minutes
Total Time
35 minutes
Nutrition (Per Serving, Approx. 1 Bar)
- Calories: 260
- Fat: 12g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Sugar: 25g
- Protein: 2g
- Sodium: 50mg
Expert Tips
- Don’t Overbake: The bars should be slightly soft in the center when you remove them from the oven. They’ll continue to set as they cool.
- Level Frosting: Use an offset spatula for a smooth and professional-looking frosting layer.
- Custom Decorations: Change the frosting color and sprinkles to match seasonal themes or party colors.
FAQs
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but omit the added salt in the recipe to balance the flavors.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to a month.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can skip it, but it does add a subtle, bakery-style flavor to the bars.
Storing & Reheating
- Storing: Keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- Freezing: Wrap the bars tightly in plastic wrap and freeze for up to a month. Thaw at room temperature before serving.
Substitutions & Variations
- Dairy-Free Option: Use plant-based butter and a non-dairy milk alternative for the frosting.
- Gluten-Free: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
- Chocolate Twist: Add mini chocolate chips to the dough or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosting for extra indulgence.
Easy Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect solution when you crave soft, buttery sugar cookies but don’t want the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. These bars have all the classic sugar cookie flavors—sweet, vanilla-infused, and slightly crisp on the edges—paired with a thick, creamy frosting.
Equipment
- - 9x13-inch baking pan
- - Parchment paper or cooking spray
- Mixing bowls
- - Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
Ingredients
- For the Cookie Base
- - 1 cup 226g unsalted butter, softened
- - 1 1/4 cups 250g granulated sugar
- - 1 large egg
- - 2 tsp vanilla extract
- - 1/4 tsp almond extract optional
- - 2 1/2 cups 315g all-purpose flour
- - 1/2 tsp baking powder
- - 1/4 tsp salt
- For the Frosting
- - 1/2 cup 113g unsalted butter, softened
- - 3 cups 375g powdered sugar, sifted
- - 1/4 cup 60ml milk
- - 1 tsp vanilla extract
- - Food coloring optional
- - Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- #### For the Cookie Base
- **Preheat Oven:** Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it lightly.
- **Cream Butter and Sugar:** In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
- **Add Wet Ingredients:** Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) until combined.
- **Mix Dry Ingredients:** In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- **Spread Dough:** Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula or your hands to smooth the surface.
- **Bake:** Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake.
- **Cool:** Allow the cookie base to cool completely in the pan.
- #### For the Frosting
- **Cream Butter:** In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- **Add Sugar and Milk:** Gradually add the powdered sugar and milk, alternating between the two, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- **Add Color (Optional):** Mix in food coloring if desired.
- **Frost the Bars:** Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie base.
- **Decorate:** Add sprinkles or other decorations as desired.
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