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    Home » Recipes » Brownies and bars

    Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

    March 21, 2021 by Kelly 22 Comments

    Thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars recipe topped with vanilla buttercream frosting. So pretty and so easy to make!

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch this recipe!

    Jump to Section

    • The BEST Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars!
    • Here's why you’ll love this bar cookies recipe!
    • Perfect for every occasion and so much FUN!
    • Quick and Easy Sugar Cookie Bars
    • Ingredients in Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
    • How to make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
    • How to cut bar cookies neatly and evenly
    • Tips for Success:
    • FAQ
    • Sugar Cookie Bars

    The BEST Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars!

    This Sugar Cookie Bars recipe is seriously the best. They’re soft and thick and chewy with a sugar cookie base and a dreamy cloud of buttercream frosting.

    Here's why you’ll love this bar cookies recipe!

    • Quick and easy – no dough chilling or ball rolling
    • Thick, soft, and chewy
    • The perfect buttercream frosting
    • Recipe can be easily doubled for a larger pan
    • So many ways to decorate
    • A vehicle for all the pretty sprinkles!
    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Perfect for every occasion and so much FUN!

    Just switch up the color of the frosting and use your favorite seasonal sprinkles, and you’ll have a fun and festive treat for any occasion.

    Ever see a pack of sprinkles that are so pretty but you don’t know what to sprinkle them on? These Sugar Cookie Bars are perfect for sprinkles!

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Quick and Easy Sugar Cookie Bars

    Bar cookies are so much quicker and easier to make than cookies. No chilling dough or rolling out cookies and frosting them one by one. Just 5 minutes to mix up by hand and 20 minutes to bake.

    Because we’re using melted butter, the cookie dough is super easy to mix up by hand – no mixer required!

    Perfect for potlucks, barbeques, and school time treats. They’re easy to transport and store.

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Ingredients in Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

    • All-purpose flour
    • Sugar – white granulated
    • Butter – Melted butter makes these bars extra chewy and super easy to mix together by hand.
    • Eggs – One egg plus one egg yolk for extra chewiness.
    • Vanilla – the star flavor in these bars.
    • Salt – brings out the flavor. Sweets without salt taste flat.
    • Baking powder and baking soda
    • Confectioners’ sugar – sift it first so your frosting doesn’t have lumps.
    • Cream – (or milk) I prefer cream for thinning the frosting.
    • Food coloring and sprinkles – to make them pretty!

    How to make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

    1. Mix up the cookie dough batter by hand in a bowl.
    2. Press into a baking pan and bake until the edges are golden.
    3. Combine the frosting ingredients and beat until fluffy and smooth.
    4. Frost the cooled bars, decorate with sprinkles, and slice.

    Make the cookie dough

    • Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
    • In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and melted, cooled butter and whisk until the butter is absorbed into the sugar. Add the egg and egg yolk and whisk until combined.
    • Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch
    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Press dough into baking pan and bake

    • Press the dough into an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper or foil.
    • Wetting your hands with water or spraying them with a little nonstick cooking spray helps to spread the dough easier.
    • Bake until just set on top and the edges are turning golden, about 20 minutes. Don’t overbake! They will look undercooked but will firm up after cooling.

    NOTE: All ovens bake differently

    Some ovens run hotter and some run cooler. Some have spots that are hotter than other areas. A cheap oven thermometer will ensure that your oven is at the correct temperature.

    How do you know when the Sugar Cookie Bars are done?

    These Sugar Cookie Bars are done when the edges are lightly golden brown and the top is set. They will seem a little undercooked, but will firm up as they cool. Overbaked bars are dry and crumbly.

    Make the frosting

    With a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through, about 2 minutes. Add more cream if needed to thin the frosting.

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Frost and decorate the bar cookies

    Make sure the bar cookies are completely cooled to room temperature before frosting or the buttercream will melt.

    Spread the frosting on the cooled bars, smoothing it out with a spatula. Decorate with sprinkles, if using. Cut into 9 or 16 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days.

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    How to cut bar cookies neatly and evenly

    Here are a few tips to get perfectly sliced bar cookies:

    • Let the frosting rest until it sets.
    • Use a long, clean knife to slice.
    • Rinse and wipe the knife after each cut.
    • Use a ruler to make all the bars the same size.

    Tips for Success:

    • Don’t overbake! Bake until the bars are set on top and just turning golden on the edges. They will continue baking after removing from oven and will firm up while cooling.
    • Measure your flour carefully. If you can, measure by weight. Otherwise, I’ve used the spoon and level method here. There’s a significant difference between measuring method and even different sets of measuring cups. Too much flour will make a dry cookie bar.
    • When making the frosting use a cool, room temperature butter. If the butter is too warm, the frosting won’t be smooth and fluffy.
    • Line the baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper so you can easily lift the entire cookie bar out of the pan.
    • These cookie bars are super sweet. You can make only a half batch of the frosting if you’d like them less sweet.
    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    FAQ

    What size pan do I use for these Sugar Cookie Bars

    This recipe fits an 8 by8-inch or a 9 by 9-inch square pan. I’ve used an 8 by 8-inch baking pan here. The bars will be slightly thinner in a 9 by 9-inch pan.

     Can I double this Sugar Cookie Bars recipe

    Yes. You can double the recipe and use a 9 by 13-inch pan. Add a few minutes onto the baking time.

    How long will Sugar Cookie Bars stay fresh?

    They will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature or a week at room temperature.

    How do you keep bar cookies soft?

    Put the bars into an airtight container as soon as they’re sliced.

    Can Sugar Cookie Bars be made in advance?

    The dough can be made in advance and wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days or in the freezer for 2 months. Let the dough come to room temperature before pressing into pan.

    Can bar cookies be frozen?

    They can be wrapped in plastic wrap or put in a plastic freezer bag, either the whole big cookie or individual squares. Don’t stack in the freezer until firm. Let thaw to room temperature before serving.

    Print
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    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe! #dessert #homemade #fromscratch

    Sugar Cookie Bars


    ★★★★★

    5 from 5 reviews

    • Author: Kelly
    • Total Time: 30 minutes
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    The BEST thick and chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla buttercream frosting. Quick and easy to make bar cookies recipe!


    Ingredients

    Scale

    For the sugar cookie bars:

    • 1½ cups all-purpose flour (6.7oz, 190g)
    • ½ teaspoon baking powder
    • ½ teaspoon baking soda
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • ½ cup unsalted butter (4oz, 113g), melted and cooled
    • ¾ cup white sugar (5.25oz, 149g)
    • 1 egg + 1 egg yolk

     

    For the frosting:

    • 6 tablespoons (3oz, 85g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
    • 2 cups (8.6oz, 245g) confectioners’ sugar
    • 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream, plus more as needed
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla
    • ¼ teaspoon fine sea salt
    • A drop or two of gel food coloring (optional)
    • Assorted sprinkles, for decorating (optional)

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Prepare an 8 or 9-inch square baking pan by lining with aluminum foil or parchment. Spray the foil or parchment with nonstick cooking spray.
    2. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and whisk to combine.
    3. In a mixing bowl, combine sugar and melted, cooled butter and whisk until the butter is absorbed into the sugar. Add egg and egg yolk and whisk until combined.
    4. Add the dry ingredients and stir to combine with a wooden spoon.
    5. Press into prepared baking pan. Bake until just set on top and the edges are turning golden, about 30 minutes. Don’t overbake! They will look undercooked but will firm up after cooling.
    6. Let cool completely before frosting.

    Make the frosting:

    1. With a hand mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add confectioners’ sugar, cream, vanilla, and salt with the mixer running on low. Increase the speed to high and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through, about 4 minutes. Add more cream if needed to thin the frosting.
    2. Spread the frosting on the cooled bars, smoothing it out with a spatula. Decorate with sprinkles, if using. Cut into 16 bars. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or in the refrigerator for 5 days.

    Equipment

    Image of sprinkles

    sprinkles

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    hand mixer

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    Image of 8 by 8-inch baking pan

    8 by 8-inch baking pan

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    Notes

    Recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9 by 13-inch pan. Just add a couple of extra minutes to the baking time.

    Don’t overbake! Bake until the bars are set on top and just turning golden on the edges. They will continue baking after removing from oven and will firm up while cooling.

    Measure your flour carefully. If you can, measure by weight. Otherwise, I’ve used the spoon and level method here. There’s a significant difference between measuring method and even different sets of measuring cups. Too much flour will make a dry cookie bar.

    When making the frosting use a cool, room temperature butter. If the butter is too warm, the frosting won’t be smooth and fluffy.

    These cookie bars are super sweet. You can make only a half batch of the frosting if you’d like them less sweet.

    • Prep Time: 10
    • Cook Time: 20
    • Category: dessert
    • Cuisine: American

    Keywords: cookie bars, sugar cookies, bars, sugar cookie bars, bar cookies

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    1. angiesrecipes

      March 21, 2021 at 11:38 pm

      They look so pretty and festive. Love those colourful sprinkles.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        The sprinkles they have these days are amazing! Thanks so much, Angie!

        Reply
    2. Easyfoodsmith

      March 22, 2021 at 2:42 am

      I love all the bar recipes that you have share and this one is no different. So pretty and so so good!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks so much, Taruna!

        Reply
    3. Neil

      March 22, 2021 at 6:42 am

      These look so delicious Kelly. And what a perfect bake for Easter too! My nieces will love this easy tray bake recipe. Thank you!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        Thanks so much, Neil!

        Reply
    4. Cookie Monster

      March 22, 2021 at 9:47 am

      The Cookie Monster loves these cookies, they’re delicious.

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:19 pm

        Thanks so much, Cookie Monster!

        Reply
    5. David Scott Allen

      March 22, 2021 at 10:59 am

      I’m not sure I could eat one and walk away! Just from the photos, I can tell they are addictive!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:19 pm

        Thanks so much, David!

        Reply
    6. Laura

      March 22, 2021 at 4:05 pm

      oh my goodness, kelly, I could reach through the screen and so enjoy one of these right now! It's the perfect treat for those days you just neeeeeed a sweet. like today, and every other day, to be truthful. Thanks for the easy recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:19 pm

        Every day! Thanks so much, Laura!

        Reply
    7. Raymund

      March 23, 2021 at 11:10 pm

      So pretty and colourful! love it

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:18 pm

        Thanks so much, Raymund!

        Reply
    8. John / Kitchen Riffs

      March 24, 2021 at 10:16 am

      These look delightfully good! Love the pink hue you've colored the frosting. Nice recipe -- thanks.

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        Thanks so much, John!

        Reply
    9. Valentina

      March 24, 2021 at 5:33 pm

      These are just so pretty - such soft colors and so festive, not to mention tasty. I think they'd be equally as lovely at a kids birthday party, as they would be at a fancy high tea. 🙂 ~Valentina

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:21 pm

        I love how they can be decorated for any holiday! Thanks so much, Valentina!

        Reply
    10. Susan

      March 31, 2021 at 2:13 pm

      Almost too pretty to eat! Almost 🙂 What a lovely treat for spring!

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 17, 2021 at 3:17 pm

        Thanks so much, Susan!

        Reply
    11. Rawan AbuShaban

      May 01, 2021 at 9:52 pm

      So much easier than cookies!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Kelly

        May 02, 2021 at 12:01 pm

        They really are! Thanks so much, Rawan!

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Kelly Shaban

    Hi there! So nice to meet you! Welcome to my little corner of the internet. I’m so glad you're here! I’m Kelly, a homeschooling mother of five (and a CPA in a previous life). When I’m not teaching differential equations or Newton’s Law of Universal Gravitation, you’ll find me in the kitchen, whipping up something good to eat for my hungry crew. Read More About Me

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