Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect blend of chewy and sweet, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion. With their soft texture and delightful flavor, these bars are perfect for birthdays, celebrations, or simply a cozy night in. The best part? They are incredibly easy to make and even easier to devour! Let’s dive into this simple yet delicious recipe that will surely become a favorite in your household.

Why This Recipe Works

This Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is designed to deliver a soft, chewy texture that melts in your mouth. The combination of unsalted butter, granulated sugar, and vanilla extract creates a rich and flavorful base, while the baking powder ensures a light rise. By using both granulated and powdered sugars, we achieve a balanced sweetness that complements the buttery flavor perfectly. Plus, these bars can be customized with sprinkles or food dye for an added touch of fun!

Shopping List

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature (for frosting)
• 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
• 1 tablespoon milk (add more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Food dye (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional, for topping)

Appliances & Accessories

• Mixing bowls: Essential for combining ingredients.
• Electric mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugar easy and efficient.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Accurate measurements are key to success.
• Baking pan (9×13 inch): The perfect size for baking these cookie bars.
• Spatula: Helpful for spreading the frosting evenly.

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until everything is well combined.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your bars.

Step 6: Bake the Cookie Bars

Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Step 7: Cool the Bars

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 8: Prepare the Frosting

While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

These Sugar Cookie Bars are SO DELICIOUS! Chewy, sweet, and perfect for any celebration or cozy night in.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 40 minutes mins

Servings: 12 servings

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the Cookie Bars:

• 2.5 cups all-purpose flour spooned and leveled
• 1.25 teaspoons baking powder
• 0.5 teaspoon salt
• 0.75 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs at room temperature
• 1.5 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the Frosting:

• 0.5 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
• 2 cups powdered sugar sifted
• 1 tablespoon milk (add more if needed)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• Food dye (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional, for topping)

Equipment

• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Baking pan (9x13 inch)
• Spatula

Method

 

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this mixture aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, mix in the vanilla extract until everything is well combined.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix just until combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can affect the texture of your bars.
6. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool in the pan for about 10 minutes. Then, transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
8. While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar.

Notes

• Customize your bars by adding sprinkles or food dye.
• Make sure to let the bars cool completely before frosting.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container for up to a week.