Sugar Cookie Bars
User Reviews
5
Sugar Cookie Bars
Description
These bars begin by creaming room temperature butter and granulated sugar until light, followed by incorporating eggs one at a time and extracts for flavor depth. Dry ingredients including flour, baking soda, and salt are mixed separately and then combined into the batter. The dough is pressed evenly into a large half sheet pan and baked just until set with lightly golden edges.
Once cooled, a cream cheese frosting is prepared by beating butter and cream cheese smooth, then slowly adding powdered sugar to achieve desired thickness. The frosting is spread evenly atop the bars before cutting into squares. Almond extract adds a subtle nutty note that can be swapped with lemon or omitted for variation.
These bars can be portioned in a 9x13 pan with adjusted ingredient quantities and baking time. Various decorations or frostings can adapt them for seasonal celebrations.
The recipe includes storage instructions for keeping bars fresh in the refrigerator for up to a week and freezing guidance. Freezing before or after frosting is possible, with thawing recommended in the fridge.
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter 227g) *room temperature, unsalted
- 2 cups granulated sugar (400g)
- 4 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour (594g)
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter 113g), room temperature, unsalted
- 8 ounces cream cheese , room temperatire
- 4-5 cups powdered sugar (480g-600g), (more or less depending on how thick you want your frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13x18'' half sheet pan with non-stick cooking spray. (Or, cut the recipe in half if using a 9x13'' pan).
- Add the butter and sugar to a mixing bowl and mix well until light and creamy. Add eggs, beating after each addition. Add vanilla and almond extract and mix well.
- In a separate bowl combine the dry ingredients: flour, baking soda and salt. Add the dry ingredients into the batter and mix until combined. Spread and press the mixture into the prepared pan.
- Bake at 375 degrees F for about 12-16 minutes or until the center is set, and the edges are just starting to be golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool. Once cooled completely, frost and cut into squares.
- Cream cheese frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat the butter and cream cheese together until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla and mix. Add the powdered sugar a little at a time until, mixing well until smooth. You may not need all of the powdered sugar--just add enough to make a good frosting consistency, and taste it to see if you want to add more.
- Store bars, covered well, in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Notes
- This recipe yields approximately 30 bars with a recommended serving size of one bar.
- Use either salted or unsalted butter; if using salted, reduce added salt to ½ teaspoon.
- Store bars in an airtight container refrigerated for up to one week to maintain freshness.
- Bars can be frozen frosted or unfrosted by wrapping tightly with plastic wrap and foil; freeze up to one month.
- If using a 9x13-inch pan, halve the recipe and bake similarly until set and lightly golden.
- For a lemon variation, replace almond extract with lemon juice and zest.
- Holiday versions can be made by tinting frosting and adding themed sprinkles or crushed candies.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 30Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 304 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 304kcal | 15% |
| Carbohydrates | 45g | 15% |
| Protein | 3g | 6% |
| Fat | 13g | 20% |
| Saturated Fat | 8g | 40% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Trans Fat | 0.4g | 20% |
| Cholesterol | 57mg | 19% |
| Sodium | 149mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 44mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 29g | 58% |
| Vitamin A | 422IU | 8% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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