Sugar Cookie Bars
User Reviews
5
Sugar Cookie Bars
Description
The Sugar Cookie Bars begin with a well-mixed dough of flour, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla, baked in a parchment-lined 9x13-inch pan until edges are golden with a clean toothpick test. The bars have a soft texture that cuts easily into neat squares. The accompanying frosting is a rich buttercream made from butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, whipped to spreadable consistency and optionally tinted or decorated.
This dessert is versatile: the frosting may be swapped for cream cheese or chocolate variants, and the dough can incorporate sprinkles, chocolate chips, or nuts. It's suitable for gatherings, gifting, or just a sweet treat at home. Chilling after frosting helps the bars firm for easier slicing.
Proper flour measurement by weight or fluffing before measuring prevents dryness. Room temperature ingredients ensure smooth mixing, and gentle mixing avoids tough bars. Parchment lining with an overhang simplifies removal. Using a sharp knife and chilling improves slice quality.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 3¾ cups all-purpose flour (450g)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup butter softened (170g, unsalted
- 1½ cups granulated sugar (300g)
- 3 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup butter softened (226g, unsalted
- 5 cups powdered sugar (600g)
- ¼ heavy cream (60ml)
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Food Coloring optional
- Sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
For the Cookie Bars:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9x13-inch baking pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper, leaving enough excess to hang over the sides.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes. Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl between additions, and beat each until fully combined. Beat in the vanilla.
- Add the flour mixture and beat on low speed until just combined, stopping to scrape down the sides once during mixing. Spread the dough in an even layer into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown around the edges, and a toothpick comes out clean. Let the cookie slab cool completely in the pan before removing it.
For the Frosting:
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the butter and powdered sugar together on low speed until powder sugar is combined, stopping to scrape down sides as needed. Increase the speed to medium and slowly pour in the heavy cream, vanilla, and salt, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy, about 1 minute. Add food coloring, if desired, and beat until evenly colored.
- Spread the frosting in an even layer on top of the cooled cookie slab. Top with sprinkles, and chill for 15 minutes before cutting and serving.
Notes
- Measure flour accurately using a kitchen scale or fluff and spoon method to avoid dry bars.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for better mixing.
- Avoid over-mixing the dough to keep bars soft.
- Line the baking pan with parchment paper with overhang for easy removal.
- Chill frosted bars for 15 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.
- Add sprinkles, mini chocolate chips, or chopped nuts to dough for variations.
- Substitute almond extract or lemon zest to alter flavor.
- Use Christmas sprinkles or food coloring for holiday-themed bars.
- Try cream cheese or chocolate buttercream frosting as alternatives.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 20bars
Amount Per Serving
Calories 436 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 436kcal | 22% |
| Carbohydrates | 68g | 23% |
| Protein | 4g | 8% |
| Fat | 17g | 26% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 4g | 20% |
| Trans Fat | 1g | 50% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 158mg | 7% |
| Potassium | 42mg | 1% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 49g | 98% |
| Vitamin A | 537IU | 11% |
| Calcium | 13mg | 1% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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