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5.0 from 6 votes

Sugar Cookie Bars

Soft sugar cookie bars topped with rich buttercream frosting.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 20 servings
Calories: 376 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Bars
  • 1 cup butter at room temperature
  • 1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup brown sugar packed
  • 1 large egg
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract optional
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
Vanilla Frosting
  • 1 cup butter at room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • Pinch of salt
  • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream enough to make a spreadable consistency
  • Food Coloring optional
  • Sprinkles optional

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Preheat oven to 375 F. Grease or use parchment paper to line a 9x13-inch metal baking pan. If using a glass pan, preheat the oven to 350F. Set aside.
  2. To make the sugar cookie bars, beat butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until fluffy and well-combined.
  3. Add egg and egg yolks. Beat until eggs are well-incorporated, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Stir in vanilla and almond extract, if using.
  5. Add flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until just incorporated.
  6. Add batter to prepared pan.
  7. Bake for about 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are very light golden brown. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean. It's better to slightly underbake the bars than to overbake them.
  8. Let the bars cool in the pan until they reach room temperature.
  9. To prepare frosting, beat butter until fluffy.
  10. Add powdered sugar and salt, and mix until combined.
  11. Stir in vanilla extract.
  12. Mix in enough cream to make a spreadable frosting.

Notes

  • Butter - I use salted butter. If using unsalted butter, increase the salt to 3/4 teaspoon in the bars and add an extra pinch or two to taste to the frosting.
  • Brown sugar - I recommend using light brown sugar in this recipe. The light brown sugar helps to add moisture and chew to the bars without giving them any molasses flavor.
  • Egg yolks - The fat in the egg yolks helps to give the bars a chewier texture.
  • Vanilla extract - Sugar cookies are basically butter, flour, sugar, and a few other ingredients. Feel free to increase the amount of vanilla extract in the bars, frosting, or both to bump up the vanilla flavor.
  • Almond extract - I like to add a bit of almond extract to give the bars just a bit more flavor. It's an optional ingredient and can be omitted if you prefer.
  • All-purpose flour - It's important to properly measure the flour. Too much flour can give you dry, crumbly bars. To properly measure the flour, either weigh it or sift or stir it to break it up. Then, lightly spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level.
  • Powdered sugar - If your powdered sugar if lumpy, sift or stir it before adding it to help break it up. This will help it better incorporate with the butter.
  • Heavy cream - I like to use heavy cream because it makes for a richer, creamier frosting. You can use milk if you prefer.
  • Nutrition values are estimates. 

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 376kcal (19%) Carbohydrates 48g (16%) Protein 3g (6%) Fat 20g (31%) Saturated Fat 12g (60%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 5g Trans Fat 1g Cholesterol 79mg (26%) Sodium 227mg (9%) Potassium 57mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 33g (66%) Vitamin A 627IU (13%) Vitamin C 1mg (1%) Calcium 24mg (2%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 20servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 376

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 376kcal 19%
Carbohydrates 48g 16%
Protein 3g 6%
Fat 20g 31%
Saturated Fat 12g 60%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 5g 25%
Trans Fat 1g 50%
Cholesterol 79mg 26%
Sodium 227mg 9%
Potassium 57mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 33g 66%
Vitamin A 627IU 13%
Vitamin C 1mg 1%
Calcium 24mg 2%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.