Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe – A Sweet Slice of Comfort

The aroma of warm cookies baking in the oven brings back memories of my grandmother’s kitchen, where laughter blended with the sweet, sugary scent that filled the air. Every bite of her Sugar Cookie Bars felt like a warm hug, a comforting reminder that good things come in simple packages. Today, I want to share this lovely recipe with you, a beautiful blend of soft cookie texture that melts in your mouth, topped with a creamy frosting and sprinkles that bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Why You’ll Love It

• Quick and easy to make — perfect for busy days!
• Comforting homemade flavor that reminds you of childhood.
• Made with simple ingredients you probably already have in your pantry.
• Great for any occasion — potlucks, birthdays, or cozy nights in.
• Always a crowd-pleaser — who can resist a sweet treat?

Ingredients You’ll Need

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (for frosting)
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 1/4 cup milk, room temperature
• Red food coloring
• Sprinkles

(Note: Using unsalted butter helps you control the sweetness in your treats, ensuring they are just right!)

How to Make It

1. Preheat your oven: Start by heating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. As the warmth fills your kitchen, grab a 9 by 13 inch baking dish and spray it lightly with cooking spray or line it with parchment paper. That little extra step will make your life easier when you lift out those delicious bars later!

2. Whisk the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and salt. Give it a quick whisk, then set it aside. Trust me, this simple step lays the foundation for perfectly fluffy bars.

3. Cream the butter and sugar: In a large mixing bowl, mix the room-temperature butter and sugar on medium speed until it becomes light and fluffy, about 3 to 6 minutes. You’ll know it’s ready when the mixture starts to pull away from the sides of the bowl, and you can smell that sweet butter aroma wafting through the air.

4. Add eggs and vanilla: Now, drop in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Pour in those 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and let your mixer work its magic until beautifully combined.

5. Combine wet and dry: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, starting on low speed so you don’t end up with a cloud of flour. Once you see everything coming together, crank up the mixer for just a few seconds until those flour streaks disappear. Remember to scrape down the bowl; we want every bit of that batter!

6. Bake those bars: Gently press the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out so it’s even. Pop it in the oven for 25 to 27 minutes until the edges turn a lovely golden brown. Your kitchen will smell divine! Once done, let it cool for an hour — I know it’s hard to wait, but it’ll be worth it!

7. Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, use your hand mixer or stand mixer to beat the room-temperature butter. Add 1 cup of powdered sugar and blend well while scraping down the sides. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract before gradually adding more powdered sugar until you achieve that luscious, creamy frosting consistency. For a pop of color, drop in the red food coloring until you’ve reached your desired shade.

8. Frost and sprinkle: After frosting, grab those fun sprinkles and sprinkle them liberally across the bars. The more, the merrier!

9. Slice and serve: Once frosted, cut the bars into 24 equal squares. For the best presentation, store them in a single layer — we don’t want that frosting to get ruined!

Kitchen Tips

• Time-saving trick: If you’re in a rush, try not to overmix the batter. The less time you spend mixing, the faster you can enjoy those Sugar Cookie Bars.
• Common mistake: Avoid overbaking! Start checking your bars a few minutes before the timer goes off — a slightly underbaked bar is chewy and delicious.
• Personal twist: Want a flavor twist? Swap out the vanilla for almond extract for a fun spin on these cookie bars!

Serving Ideas

These delightful Sugar Cookie Bars are fantastic for sharing. Picture a cozy family dinner, where you cut them into squares and pass around the plate for everyone to enjoy. Or imagine bringing these to a holiday gathering, where the colors burst with festive cheer. Pair them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a cup of warm milk for a delightful dessert.

Storing & Leftovers

• Store these irresistible bars in the fridge, in an airtight container, stacked between parchment paper to keep them fresh.
• If you find yourself with leftovers (which is rare), freeze them in a single layer for future sweet cravings!
• You can even make a fun dessert sandwich by placing some ice cream between two bars for an unforgettable summer treat!

FAQs

Q: Can I make this ahead of time?
A: Definitely! They often taste even better the next day as the flavors meld beautifully together.

Q: Can I swap any ingredients?
A: Of course! This recipe is very forgiving. Feel free to use milk or a dairy alternative, or change up the extracts if that’s what you have on hand.

Q: What’s the best way to serve it?
A: Fresh from the pan, while they’re still warm and aromatic.

Q: How do I know it’s perfectly cooked?
A: Look for golden edges and that delicious, fragrant smell — that’s your sign!

Final Thoughts

These Sugar Cookie Bars are more than just a sweet treat; they’re a slice of love shared with friends and family. Whenever I whip up a batch, I’m flooded with joy and warmth, and I hope you feel the same. Whether you enjoy them fresh from the oven or save a few for later, I encourage you to try making them your own. Life is too short not to enjoy every last crumb of these delightful bars. So, roll up your sleeves and savor the sweetness of your very own Sugar Cookie Bars!

Sugar Cookie Bars

Deliciously soft and comforting Sugar Cookie Bars topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles, perfect for any occasion.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Cook Time 27 minutes mins

Total Time 47 minutes mins

Servings: 24 squares

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Calories: 250

Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients

  

For the cookie bars

• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature Helps control the sweetness in your treats.
• 1 1/2 cups sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

For the frosting

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
• 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/4 cup milk, room temperature
• Red food coloring For coloring the frosting
• Sprinkles For decoration

Method

 

Preparation

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and prepare a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or parchment paper.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then set aside.

Making the Cookie Dough

1. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 to 6 minutes.
2. Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
3. Gradually mix the flour mixture into the wet ingredients on low speed until combined.

Baking the Bars

1. Gently press the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish and bake for 25 to 27 minutes until the edges are golden brown.
2. Let the cookie bars cool for an hour.

Making the Frosting

1. In a medium bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and 1 cup of powdered sugar until well blended.
2. Mix in the milk and vanilla extract, then gradually add more powdered sugar until you achieve a creamy consistency. Add red food coloring to your desired shade.

Assembly

1. Frost the cooled cookie bars and top with sprinkles.
2. Cut into 24 equal squares and store in a single layer.

Notes

Store in the fridge in an airtight container, stacked between parchment paper. These bars can also be frozen for future cravings.