If you have a sweet tooth and love classic, melt-in-your-mouth treats, this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is about to become your new best friend. Imagine the perfect balance of a soft, buttery sugar cookie base topped with a luscious, creamy frosting that can be customized with your favorite colors and sprinkles. These bars are incredibly easy to make and are absolutely irresistible when it comes to sharing at parties, celebrations, or even a cozy night in. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just love simple desserts, these bars hit all the right notes for flavor, texture, and that nostalgic cookie love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To create these delightful Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, you only need a handful of basic ingredients that you likely already have at home. Each one plays a key role in delivering that perfect combination of buttery richness, sweetness, and smooth frosting texture that will have everyone coming back for more.
- Unsalted butter (3 sticks for dough, 1 stick for frosting): Gives the dough a rich, tender crumb and a creamy base for the frosting.
- Granulated sugar (2 cups): Sweetens the dough and helps create that classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Large eggs (4): Provide structure and moisture for the cookie bars.
- Vanilla extract (1 tsp): Adds warm, comforting flavor that complements the sugar cookie perfectly.
- Almond extract (1 tsp): Imparts a subtle nutty note that elevates the taste.
- All-purpose flour (5 cups): The foundation that gives the cookie bars their soft yet sturdy texture.
- Salt (1 ½ tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Baking powder (½ tsp): Slightly leavens the dough for a tender bite.
- Powdered sugar (4 cups): Creates a silky, creamy frosting ideal for spreading.
- Heavy cream (5-6 tbsp): Smooths the frosting to the perfect spreadable consistency.
- Food coloring (optional): Lets you personalize your frosting for any occasion.
- Sprinkles or decorations: Adds fun and flair to your final presentation.
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grab a 17×12-inch rimmed cookie sheet and give it a good spray with non-stick cooking spray. This step ensures your bars come out cleanly and keeps them from sticking, giving you that perfect, smooth edge on every slice.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1 1/2 cups of softened unsalted butter and the granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and creamy. This creaming process is crucial because it incorporates air into the dough, helping your bars to develop that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs and Extracts
Next, add in the eggs one at a time, blending each fully before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts to give your dough that classic sugar cookie aroma and a hint of nutty warmth. Mix everything until it’s smooth and well combined.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Gradually add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing slowly so the flour blends in without overworking the dough. You want a soft dough that presses easily without being sticky or crumbly.
Step 5: Press and Bake the Dough
Press the cookie dough evenly into your prepared pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula or clean hands. Pop it into the oven and bake for about 15 to 20 minutes. Watch carefully—when the edges turn just golden brown, it’s time to pull it out. Overbaking can make the bars less soft, so timing is everything here!
Step 6: Cool Completely Before Frosting
Allow your beautiful sugar cookie bars to cool fully in the pan. This step is essential because warm bars will melt your frosting and make spreading difficult. Patience here pays off big time in the final look and texture.
Step 7: Craft the Frosting
For the heavenly frosting, cream ½ cup of softened butter until smooth. Slowly add in the powdered sugar a little at a time, then gradually pour in the heavy cream until your frosting reaches a luscious, spreadable consistency. If you want to add colors for a festive touch, now’s the time to mix in your favorite food coloring tips.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread the creamy frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars, then sprinkle with fun toppings like colorful sprinkles, edible glitter, or whatever you fancy. Let your creativity shine and give your Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars that extra dose of happiness.
How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While classic sprinkles are always a winner, think about seasonal or themed toppings to elevate the bars—crushed candy canes for the holidays or edible flower petals for spring celebrations. Fresh fruit slices or a drizzle of chocolate can also add exciting textures and flavors.
Side Dishes
These bars are delightful alongside a cold glass of milk or a warm cup of tea or coffee. For a party, consider serving them with fruit-infused sparkling water or a creamy vanilla milkshake for the ultimate indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters after cooling, or layer them in a clear jar for a beautiful layered dessert. Wrapping individual bars in parchment paper tied with twine makes charming gifts that friends and family will adore.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Place leftover Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay soft and delicious for up to 3 days, making them perfect for quick snacks or unexpected guests.
Freezing
You can freeze these bars without frosting for up to 3 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. When you’re ready to enjoy them, thaw completely before frosting to avoid any condensation on the surface.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed cool or at room temperature, but if you prefer them slightly warm, pop an individual bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Avoid reheating with frosting to keep it from melting.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract with something else?
Absolutely! If you’re not a fan of almond extract or have allergies, you can simply omit it or replace it with more vanilla extract for a pure vanilla flavor.
What if I don’t have heavy cream for the frosting?
You can use whole milk or half-and-half instead, but add it slowly to get the right spreading consistency. The frosting might be a bit less rich but still delicious.
How thick should I press the cookie dough in the pan?
Press the dough evenly to about ½ inch thickness. This helps the bars bake evenly and stay soft but sturdy enough to hold the frosting without crumbling.
Can I use gluten-free flour in this recipe?
Yes, a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend should work well. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum or add some to help with texture and binding.
How long do the Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars last after frosting?
Once frosted, they’ll stay fresh for about 2 to 3 days covered at room temperature. Beyond that, the frosting may start to lose its freshness and the bars might dry out.
Final Thoughts
This Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is your go-to for a crowd-pleasing treat that feels homemade yet special every single time. It’s simple, fun, and utterly delicious—perfect for any occasion where you want to share a bit of sweetness and joy. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how these bars quickly become a new favorite in your baking repertoire!
Print
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, topped with a creamy, colorful frosting. Easy to prepare and bake in a large pan, these bars are ideal for sharing at parties, holidays, or any celebration.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter (3 sticks), softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp almond extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking powder
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (1 stick), softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 5–6 tbsp heavy cream
- Food coloring of choice (optional)
- Sprinkles or decorations
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and prepare a 17×12-inch rimmed cookie sheet by spraying it lightly with non-stick spray for easy release.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is creamy and smooth, which will help create a tender cookie base.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Incorporate the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract into the creamed butter and sugar mixture, mixing well until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, salt, and baking powder, then gradually add this dry mix to the wet ingredients, stirring until a uniform dough forms.
- Press Dough and Bake: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared cookie sheet, spreading it out flat, and bake in the oven for 15 to 20 minutes. Monitor closely and remove after approximately 17 minutes or when the edges start to lightly brown.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baked cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool thoroughly in the pan before adding any frosting to prevent melting.
- Make the Frosting: In a clean large bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Slowly mix in the heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. Add food coloring if desired and mix well.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the completely cooled cookie bars and decorate with sprinkles or other decorations as preferred.
- Store: Store the frosted sugar cookie bars in a covered container at room temperature to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the cookie bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can adjust the amount of heavy cream in the frosting to achieve your preferred consistency.
- Feel free to use different food colorings or sprinkles to customize the bars for different occasions.
- Store bars in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days at room temperature.
- For cleaner cuts, refrigerate the bars after frosting and use a sharp knife.
