Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
This recipe for Sugar Cookie Bars combines the classic flavors of sugar cookies with the convenience of a bar form, perfect for easy serving and sharing. The buttery, soft cookie base is topped with a smooth, creamy icing that can be tinted with pink food coloring for a festive touch. Ideal for holidays, parties, or a sweet everyday treat.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Bars
- 1/2 cup butter
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 whole egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 3 Tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Icing
- 1/4 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp milk
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- Pink food coloring gel (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the sugar cookie bars.
- Prepare Cookie Dough: In a mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter and 3/4 cup sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Add the softened cream cheese and mix until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, combine the baking powder and all-purpose flour, then gradually add to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Bake the Bars: Spread the dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 9×13 inch baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Make the Icing: While the bars are cooling, prepare the icing by beating the softened 1/4 cup butter with powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Add a few drops of pink food coloring gel if desired and mix until the color is uniform.
- Ice the Bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the icing evenly over the top.
- Serve: Cut into bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
Notes
- Ensure the cookie bars have cooled completely before icing to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can substitute almond extract with additional vanilla extract if preferred.
- For a festive touch, add sprinkles or decorative sugar on top of the icing before it sets.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best texture in the cookie bars.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Keywords: sugar cookie bars, dessert bars, iced sugar cookies, baked treats, holiday cookies
Find it online: https://kitchenbynora.com/sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/
