If you love classic sugar cookies but want all that melt-in-your-mouth joy without scooping and batch-baking, these Sugar Cookie Bars are about to become your new obsession. Soft, buttery, and topped with a fluffy frosting that’s practically begging for sprinkles, this recipe delivers all the nostalgia and festive flair of traditional sugar cookies — but in a quick, crowd-friendly, one-pan wonder. Every square is a perfect bite of comfort, celebration, and sweet simplicity.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You won’t believe how quickly these bars come together with just a handful of kitchen staples! Every ingredient in this recipe matters, not just for flavor, but for delivering that signature soft crumb, sweet aroma, and comforting warmth that makes Sugar Cookie Bars simply irresistible.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives richness and a plush texture to both the dough and frosting — be sure it’s at room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Essential for sweetness and that classic cookie chew, it creams beautifully with butter for a light, fluffy base.
- Large egg: Binds the dough and adds moisture, helping the bars stay soft and tender.
- Vanilla extract: Adds deep, warm flavor — pure vanilla makes all the difference in classic cookie taste.
- Almond extract (optional): A little goes a long way toward adding a subtle bakery-style nuttiness, but skip it if you prefer pure vanilla.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy structure of the bars; measure carefully for the perfect tender bite.
- Baking powder: Lifts the bars slightly and adds a gentle softness to each square.
- Salt: Just enough to balance sweetness and make those flavors pop.
- Powdered sugar: The base of that cloud-like frosting; it blends smoothly for a sweet, creamy finish.
- Milk: Loosens the frosting to a perfectly spreadable consistency; use more or less to suit your preference.
- Food coloring and sprinkles (optional): For a festive, fun finish, these extras make your bars eye-catching and perfect for any occasion.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C), and either grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper. This ensures your Sugar Cookie Bars release easily after baking, keeping every edge perfectly intact for slicing and sharing.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, mix your softened butter and granulated sugar together. Beat until “light and fluffy” is an understatement — you want the mixture to look pale and creamy, since this step is key for creating those signature soft and airy bars.
Step 3: Add the Egg and Extracts
Crack in the egg, followed by the vanilla extract and almond extract (if you’re using it). Beat again to fully combine. That heavenly smell? It’s a preview of the flavor in every bite!
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps distribute the leavening and salt evenly, so your bars bake up tender and delicious every single time.
Step 5: Bring the Dough Together
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Don’t overmix — you want things just blended, so your Sugar Cookie Bars stay delicate and pillowy.
Step 6: Press and Bake
Drop the dough into your prepared pan, then gently press it into an even layer with clean hands or the back of a spatula. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden and the center feels set. Let the whole pan cool completely before frosting, so your creamy topping doesn’t melt away!
Step 7: Whip Up the Frosting
Beat softened butter until creamy, then alternate adding powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Keep beating until it’s fluffy and smooth. If desired, add a drop of food coloring for extra fun. The frosting should be thick yet easily spreadable — adjust with a splash more milk as needed.
Step 8: Frost and Finish
When the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting generously over the top. Shower with sprinkles, slice into neat squares, and marvel at how quickly a batch of joy can come together!
How to Serve Sugar Cookie Bars
Garnishes
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars become instantly festive with a scatter of sprinkles. Choose classic rainbow, shimmering holiday shapes, or color-coordinate your sprinkles and frosting to match any occasion — edible glitter or mini candies work wonders too!
Side Dishes
Pair your cookie bars with a tall glass of cold milk for a classic treat, or serve alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or fresh berries for a playful dessert plate. They’re perfect with coffee or tea whenever you want a sweet afternoon pick-me-up.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut bars into different shapes using a cookie cutter for themed parties, or stack them up and tie with bakers twine for a charming edible gift. Arrange on a tiered stand for dessert buffets, or wrap individually in parchment for lunchbox surprises.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The frosting helps keep the bars moist, and they’ll hold onto their soft, fluffy texture.
Freezing
To freeze, place unfrosted or frosted bars on a lined baking sheet to firm up, then transfer to a freezer-safe bag or container. They’ll stay delicious for up to two months; thaw at room temperature (frosting may lose a touch of its fluffiness, but the taste remains dreamy!).
Reheating
While Sugar Cookie Bars don’t need reheating, if you want to bring them ever-so-slightly above room temperature, a few seconds in the microwave will help revive that fresh-baked feel (just keep an eye on the frosting).
FAQs
Can I make Sugar Cookie Bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the bars a day or two in advance, cover them tightly, and add the frosting and sprinkles just before serving so everything looks fresh and festive.
Why are my Sugar Cookie Bars dry?
Usually, dryness comes from overbaking or too much flour. Be sure to measure your flour lightly (use the spoon-and-level method), and take the bars out when just the edges turn golden but the center is still soft.
Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
You can! Just reduce the added salt in the recipe to a pinch or omit it altogether, as the salted butter will provide a touch more savoriness to balance the sweet.
What’s the best way to cut perfectly neat squares?
For clean edges, chill the frosted bars for about 20 minutes before slicing with a sharp, long knife. Wipe the blade between cuts for bakery-worthy squares every time.
Are Sugar Cookie Bars suitable for decorating with kids?
Definitely! The frosting is a blank canvas for sprinkles, colored sugar, or candies, making it a fun and creative activity for kids (and adults) to get involved with decorating.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re planning a party, bringing dessert to a potluck, or just craving a taste of childhood, Sugar Cookie Bars are pure joy in every bite. They’re easy to make, even easier to love, and destined to become a treasured treat in your recipe collection. Give them a try the next time you’re in a sweet mood — you’ll be hooked after the first square!
Print
Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in these delicious sugar cookie bars topped with a creamy frosting that are perfect for any occasion. These soft and chewy bars are easy to make and a crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tablespoons milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring and sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- Prepare the dough: Cream together butter and sugar, then add egg, vanilla, and almond extract. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt. Combine wet and dry ingredients to form a dough.
- Bake: Press dough into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool in the pan.
- Make the frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Spread over cooled bars, add sprinkles, and cut into squares to serve.
Notes
- For festive occasions, customize frosting colors and sprinkles.
- Store bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 200
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
