Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
User Reviews
4.5
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Prep Time
20 mins
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Cook Time
14 mins
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Total Time
35 mins
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Servings
16 -24 bars
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Course
Dessert, Baked Goods
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Cuisine
American, International, Vegetarian
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
Description
Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars feature a buttery dough made with all-purpose flour, baking powder, butter, granulated and powdered sugars, eggs, lemon zest, lemon juice, and vanilla extract. The dough is rubbed with lemon zest and sugar, which intensifies the citrus aroma before baking in a 9x13 pan until just set in the middle and not browned. After cooling, a lemon cream cheese frosting made with butter, cream cheese, lemon zest and juice, and powdered sugar is spread across the bars. This frosting adds a smooth, tangy layer that complements the cookie base.
The flavor is lively with bright lemon notes balanced by the richness of butter and cream cheese, while the texture remains soft with slight firmness from the baking. These bars can be served as a sweet treat for gatherings or everyday dessert.
Colored sugar or sprinkles can be added on top for a festive touch, and careful cooling before frosting ensures a smooth finish. They are best stored in a cool place.
Ingredients
For the bars:
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- lemon zest of 1 large
- 3/4 cup butter at room temperature
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 2 egg large
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice fresh
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the lemon cream cheese frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter at room temperature, unsalted
- 8 ounce cream cheese at room temperature, package
- lemon zest of 2 lemons
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice fresh
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- colored sugar optional, or sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Spray a 9x13 pan (I use a glass Pyrex dish) with cooking spray and set aside.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine granulated sugar and lemon zest. Rub together with your fingers until fragrant.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter and and lemon sugar mixture together until combined. Slowly add the powdered sugar and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add in the eggs, lemon juice, and vanilla. Beat until smooth. Slowly add the flour mixture and beat until just combined.
- Evenly spread the cookie dough into the prepared pan with a spatula. Bake for 12-14 minutes, or until the bars are slightly set in the middle. You don't want the bars to brown. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely.
- While the bars are cooling, make the lemon cream cheese frosting. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add the lemon zest and lemon juice. Slowly add the powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time. Mix until smooth.
- Frost the cooled cookie bars with lemon cream cheese frosting. I always have a little frosting leftover, but use as much as you like! Decorate with colored sugar or sprinkles, if desired. Cut the bars into squares and serve.
- Note-store bars in an air tight container in the fridge for up to 2 days.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.5
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