Sweet and simple, Sugar Cookie Bars deliver the taste of traditional cutout cookies in half the time!
Cutout sugar cookies, whether it’s the holidays or some other festive occasion, are so cute and fun! But they require a lot of work and time. Chilling the dough, rolling out the dough, cutting the cookies with cookie cutters, and re-rolling the dough scraps—and that’s just for the cookies, let alone the frosting. Sugar cookie bars, on the other hand, deliver all the flavors of cutout cookies in much less time.
With sugar cookie bars, you still get the buttery sugar cookie base. It’s topped with a sweet frosting and then whatever sprinkles you want. And while part of the fun of cutout cookies is varying the frosting or shapes, you can actually create some variety with the bars as well. Divide up the pan into fourths and use a different color frosting or sprinkle mix on each quarter, for instance! The bars don’t have to look all the same.
You will love sugar cookie bars because they are not only so easy to make but also to transport. Since you can leave the cookie bars in the pan, just cover them with foil or with your pan lid and take them to your party, potluck, or school function. Sugar cookie bars are great to make with your little ones helping, too. Not only can they help mix the cookie layer, but the decorating is simple and contained in the baking pan, so it’s a fun and easy process as well.
Frosting coloring options
When you make the frosting for sugar cookie bars, you will end up with white frosting. If that’s what you want, great! However, if you want to add some color, you have some options. You can buy food coloring in liquid or gel form at your supermarket. Gel is recommended for this recipe as it mixes easily and doesn’t affect the texture of the frosting, which should be on the thick side. You can also use natural sources, like dried strawberries in powder form. Keep in mind that any of the natural sources will flavor your frosting slightly as well.
How do I store leftovers?
You can store frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 days. If you need to layer them, place wax paper between the layers. You can also store them in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If you need to freeze them, wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then foil. Freeze for up to 3 months.
Serving suggestions
My favorite way to make these sugar cookie bars is at a kid’s birthday party. Cut the cooled, unfrosted bars into equal squares and divide them amongst the kids. Then set out different colors of frosting, sprinkles, and other decorations, and let each kid create their masterpiece! It’s a fun way to enjoy these treats.
Sugar cookie bars also work well on your holiday cookie platter. Use plain white frosting and decorate with finely chopped candy canes. Next to other holiday goodies like Pizzelle, Lemon Bars, and Rugelach, the sugar cookie bars make for a festive holiday touch.
Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For The Bars:
- 8 ounces unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For The Frosting:
- 4 ounces unsalted butter softened
- 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar plus more if needed
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-4 tablespoons milk
- Food coloring optional
- Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18-23 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Do not overbake.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- To make the frosting, in a medium bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter until creamy.
- Gradually mix in the powdered sugar until well combined. If needed, add up to 1/2 cup more powdered sugar for added sweetness or thickness.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk. If needed, add more milk to reach desired consistency.
- If desired, add food coloring to the frosting and mix well.
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
- Decorate with sprinkles, if desired.
- Cut into bars and serve.
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