Sugar Cookie Bars
User Reviews
5
Sugar Cookie Bars
Description
This recipe starts by creaming softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until light and fluffy, creating a tender dough. Eggs and vanilla are then incorporated, followed by dry ingredients including flour, baking powder, and salt mixed just until combined to avoid toughness. The dough is pressed into a 9x13-inch pan and baked at 350°F for 24-28 minutes, aiming to be slightly underdone to keep the bars soft after cooling.
The toppings are made by creaming together butter and cream cheese, then adding powdered sugar, a touch of heavy cream, and vanilla extract to create a smooth frosting. This frosting is spread over the cooled bars, which can be cut into squares. The combination delivers a soft crumb and creamy topping with classic sugar cookie sweetness and a slight tang from the cream cheese.
These bars are suitable for dessert or snack occasions and can be colored with food coloring in the frosting if desired. Using parchment paper on the pan can make removal easier. Watching bake time carefully helps maintain the soft texture.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter (softened)
- 2 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 2 cups + 2 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 3/4 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 3/4 cup butter (softened)
- 8 ounce cream cheese (softened)
- 4 - 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons heavy whipping cream or whole milk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large mixing bowl, whip together butter, cream cheese, and sugar for 4 minutes or until light and fluffy.
- Add egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and whip for 1 minute longer.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix just until combined. Press sugar cookie dough into a 9 x 13 baking pan (I use an aluminum pan). You may use parchment paper on the bottom of the pan for easy removal.
- Bake for 24-28 minutes. Watch carefully because you want them to be slightly underdone as they will firm up as they cool. Set aside to cool.
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- In a mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese for 2-3 minutes. Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla extract and whip for 2-3 more minutes. Fold in food coloring, if using.
- Spread over cooled sugar cookie bars. Cut into squares and serve.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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