Sugar Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Introduction to Sugar Cookie Bars
Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect blend of soft, chewy cookies with a delightful frosting on top. They bring back fond memories of baking with family and enjoying sweet treats. Whether you’re preparing for a celebration or just looking for a comforting dessert, these bars are sure to please everyone, young and old alike. With a simple preparation and a crowd-pleasing taste, it’s no wonder these bars are a favorite in many households.
A Personal Story Behind My Sugar Cookie Bars Journey
Growing up, my family had a tradition of baking sugar cookies during the holidays. The aroma of sweet dough filled our home, and we spent joyful afternoons rolling out shapes and decorating them with colorful icing. Eventually, I discovered how to make these delightful cookies in bar form, allowing us to enjoy the same flavors with even less effort. My Sugar Cookie Bars have since become a staple at family gatherings, bringing smiles and sweet memories to everyone who tries them.
What Makes This Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe Special?
What sets this Sugar Cookie Bars recipe apart is its simplicity and versatility. The bars are incredibly easy to prepare and can be customized with different colors of frosting and sprinkles to suit any occasion. The soft, buttery texture and the creamy buttercream frosting create a delicious combination that is hard to resist. Plus, they are baked in one pan, making clean-up a breeze!
The Full Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup (225g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, at room temperature
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (320g) all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- Granulated sugar for topping
- 1 ½ cups (340g) unsalted butter, at room temperature (for frosting)
- 3 cups (380g) powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- ½ tsp salt (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp cream or milk, plus more if needed
- Gel food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9×13-inch (20x30cm) pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour, kosher salt, and baking soda together. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan using an offset spatula. Make sure to press down firmly but gently for an even layer.
- If desired, sprinkle the top of the dough with granulated sugar for extra sweetness and texture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the bars are lightly golden brown and set in the center. The edges will crinkle slightly, and the bars may deflate a bit once out of the oven.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This helps to set them before frosting.
- For the American Buttercream Frosting, in a mixing bowl, whip the butter, vanilla extract, and salt until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding cream or milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting generously over the top. Add gel food coloring to the frosting if you’d like to create colorful designs, and finish with sprinkles for decoration.
- Chill the bars briefly in the refrigerator to set the frosting before cutting into pieces with a sharp knife.
- Store the cookie bars in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature for up to five days.
Serving Suggestions and Variations for Sugar Cookie Bars
These Sugar Cookie Bars are delightful on their own, but you can also serve them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra treat. For variations, try adding chocolate chips or nuts to the dough for added texture. You can also switch up the frosting flavors, using almond extract instead of vanilla for a different twist. For a festive touch, use different colored gel food coloring and themed sprinkles to match the occasion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sugar Cookie Bars
Can I freeze Sugar Cookie Bars?
Yes! You can freeze the uncut bars for up to three months. Just wrap the baked and cooled bars tightly in plastic wrap before placing them in an airtight container. Thaw them in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
Can I use margarine instead of butter?
While butter provides the best flavor and texture, you can use margarine in a pinch. Just make sure it is unsalted for the best results.
How can I make these bars gluten-free?
You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure to check for a blend that includes xanthan gum for the best results.
What can I use instead of eggs?
For an egg substitute, you can use 1/4 cup of applesauce or a flax egg (1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed mixed with 2.5 tablespoons of water) for each egg needed in the recipe.
Recipe Stats
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Calories per Serving: 350
- Servings: 12
Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1.5 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2.5 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp kosher salt
- 0.25 tsp baking soda
- granulated sugar for topping
- 1.5 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature (for frosting)
- 3 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 0.5 tsp salt (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp cream or milk, plus more if needed
- gel food coloring (optional)
- sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (180°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch (20x30cm) pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal later.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until combined.
- In a separate bowl, sift the flour, kosher salt, and baking soda together. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid over-mixing to maintain a tender texture.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan using an offset spatula. Make sure to press down firmly but gently for an even layer.
- If desired, sprinkle the top of the dough with granulated sugar for extra sweetness and texture.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the bars are lightly golden brown and set in the center. The edges will crinkle slightly, and the bars may deflate a bit once out of the oven.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan on a wire rack for about 10 minutes. This helps to set them before frosting.
- For the American Buttercream Frosting, in a mixing bowl, whip the butter, vanilla extract, and salt until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until well combined. If the frosting is too thick, adjust the consistency by adding cream or milk, a tablespoon at a time.
- Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting generously over the top. Add gel food coloring to the frosting if you'd like to create colorful designs, and finish with sprinkles for decoration.
- Chill the bars briefly in the refrigerator to set the frosting before cutting into pieces with a sharp knife.
- Store the cookie bars in an airtight container in the fridge or at room temperature for up to five days.