If you have a soft spot for cookies but want to switch up the presentation, this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is a total game-changer. Imagine the delicate sweetness of classic sugar cookies but baked into a perfectly tender bar, topped with creamy vanilla frosting and a sprinkle of color. These bars are luscious, easy to slice, and bring all the cozy, buttery flavor you crave with zero fuss. They’re exactly the treat you didn’t realize you needed to brighten your dessert rotation or share with everyone you love.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this recipe plays a crucial role, but don’t worry — they’re all simple pantry staples that combine to create a rich, tender texture and that iconic sugar cookie sweetness. Every element, from the cream cheese to the almond extract, beautifully layers flavor and moisture, while the sprinkles add that festive pop of color once baked.
- 2½ cups flour (312 g): The foundation for structure, giving the bars their soft yet sturdy texture.
- 1 tsp baking powder: Provides gentle lift to keep the bars from being too dense.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Adds subtle tenderness and helps with browning.
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all other flavors.
- 1 â…“ cups sugar (267 g): Sweetens and helps with browning for that perfect golden crust.
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226 g): Adds richness and moisture, crucial for that melt-in-your-mouth feel.
- 2 large eggs (room temperature): Binds the dough together and completes the tender crumb.
- 4 oz cream cheese (softened): Infuses subtle tanginess and creamy softness that lifts the texture.
- 1½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract): Brings warm, aromatic sweetness that elevates every bite.
- ½ tsp almond extract: Adds a hint of nutty depth without overpowering the flavor.
- ½ cup butter, softened (for frosting): The base for a creamy, luscious frosting with a silky mouthfeel.
- 2 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the perfect consistency.
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract): Flavor enhancer for the frosting, making it bright and aromatic.
- ¼ tsp almond extract: A delicate touch to round out the frosting’s taste.
- Pinch of sea salt: Balances the frosting’s sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
- 1-2 Tbsp heavy cream (more as desired): Adjusts the frosting’s texture, making it fluffy and spreadable.
- Sprinkles for topping: Adds fun color and a festive finish to your bars.
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F so it’ll be ready for your cookie dough. This ensures even baking and that perfect golden edge on your bars. Meanwhile, line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper — this makes cleanup a breeze and helps your bars slide right out when they’re cool.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl. This step helps evenly distribute the leavening agents so your bars rise consistently and have a tender crumb every time.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This process not only helps dissolve sugar but also incorporates air, contributing to the light texture of the bars.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Extracts, and Cream Cheese
Mix in eggs one at a time, then beat in vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and the softened cream cheese until fully combined. Cream cheese is the secret hero here, adding richness and moistness that elevate these bars beyond ordinary sugar cookie bars.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures
Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain. If you want a colorful surprise inside, stir in sprinkles with the last bit of dry ingredients but be careful not to overmix to keep the bars tender.
Step 6: Press Dough into Pan and Bake
Lightly oiling your hands or placing parchment over the dough helps press this slightly sticky cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake the bars for 17 to 22 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown. Don’t worry if the center looks a bit underdone—after cooling, it will set perfectly.
Step 7: Prepare the Frosting
Beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth. Add vanilla, almond extract, and a pinch of sea salt, then gradually mix in powdered sugar. Beat in heavy cream little by little until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable, perfect for topping your bars.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Once the bars have cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly across the top and finish with sprinkles for a festive touch. Let the frosting set before slicing to keep your bars looking clean and polished.
How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A simple sprinkle of colorful sugar decorations or mini chocolate chips adds charm and texture on top of your frosting. Fresh berries can also be an elegant, juicy addition if you want to contrast the sweet richness.
Side Dishes
These bars shine on their own but pair wonderfully with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of caramel sauce, or even a cup of hot coffee or tea to balance out the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting them into bite-sized squares for a party platter or layering them with whipped cream and fresh fruit for an easy yet stunning parfait-style dessert. They also look adorable stacked on a dessert table with assorted sprinkles or edible flowers atop.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days to maintain their softness and freshness. If your kitchen is warm, refrigeration will help preserve them but can slightly firm up the frosting.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then placed in a freezer-safe bag for up to three months. Frost them after thawing to keep the frosting texture perfect and avoid sogginess.
Reheating
Warm bars very briefly in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds to bring back softness and amplify that just-baked feel. If frosted, be gentle to avoid melting the frosting too much.
FAQs
Can I make these bars gluten-free?
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures cup-for-cup the same. Just be sure it includes xanthan gum to help with texture and binding.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
While cream cheese adds wonderful moisture and tang, you can omit it and increase the butter slightly, but expect a slightly different texture and less richness.
How long do these bars stay fresh?
At room temperature in an airtight container, they stay fresh and soft for about 3 days. Refrigeration extends their life to about a week.
Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?
Absolutely! Vanilla extract works just fine though vanilla bean paste gives a more aromatic and less artificial vanilla flavor with those lovely specks.
Any tips to keep sprinkles from bleeding color?
Use high-quality sprinkles designed for baking, and add them right after frosting to prevent colors melting into the frosting. Some sprinkles specifically say “colorfast” which helps maintain bright colors.
Final Thoughts
This Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is a joy to make and even more enjoyable to share. It’s that perfect combination of comforting and fun, with frosting just sweet enough to make you smile without overwhelming the buttery cookie base. Give it a try for your next gathering or simply when you need a little homemade happiness in bar form.
Print
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, a heavenly twist on classic sugar cookies baked into a soft, chewy bar and topped with a creamy vanilla-almond buttercream frosting. Perfect for parties or anytime you crave a sweet and buttery treat with a festive sprinkle finish.
Ingredients
Dry Ingredients
- 2½ cups flour (312 g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt
Cookie Dough
- 1 â…“ cups sugar (267 g)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226 g)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- ½ tsp almond extract
Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened (113 g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1–2 Tbsp heavy cream (more as desired)
Topping
- Sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookie bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until well combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs, vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and softened cream cheese until fully incorporated.
- Combine Mixtures: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low speed just until no flour streaks remain. If desired, fold in sprinkles at this point without overmixing.
- Prepare Baking Pan and Shape Dough: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Press the sticky cookie dough evenly into the pan, lightly oiling your hands or using a piece of parchment on top to help smooth the surface.
- Bake Cookie Bars: Bake for 17-22 minutes until edges turn light golden brown and the center is set but may still be slightly soft. The bars will firm up as they cool.
- Cool Completely: Remove the baking pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Make Frosting: Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in vanilla bean paste, sea salt, and almond extract. Gradually add powdered sugar and continue beating until combined. Add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time and beat until the frosting is light, creamy, and fluffy.
- Frost Cookie Bars: Spread the buttercream evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Add Sprinkles and Set: Decorate the frosted bars with extra sprinkles. Allow the frosting to set before slicing into 24 bars for serving.
Notes
- Room temperature ingredients, especially butter, eggs, and cream cheese, help achieve a smooth batter and frosting.
- Do not overmix the dough once the dry ingredients are added to keep the bars tender.
- The cookie bars may appear slightly underdone in the center after baking; they will firm up as they cool.
- If the frosting is too thick, add a little more heavy cream until the desired consistency is reached.
- For a festive touch, use colorful sprinkles or seasonal decorations on top.
- Store frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
