Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: No need to roll or cut dough, just mix, bake, and frost.
- Customizable: Change the frosting color and sprinkles to fit any occasion or holiday.
- Soft and Chewy: These bars have the perfect texture—thick, soft, and not too sweet.
- Fun and Festive: They’re a hit for birthdays, holidays, and gatherings!
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Sprinkles (optional)
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
Directions
- Make the Dough: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and sugar. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cream cheese, and mix until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add the flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a thick dough forms. Avoid overmixing.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake at 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until the top is golden brown and set. Let the bars cool for 10 minutes in the pan before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. If the frosting is too thick, add more milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Frost and Enjoy: Once the bars are cooled, spread the frosting evenly on top. Add sprinkles for decoration, then cut into squares and serve.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: 16 bars
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
Variations
- Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Add lemon zest and lemon juice to the dough and frosting for a fresh twist.
- Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars: Add chocolate chips to the dough and top with chocolate frosting.
- No Frosting: If you prefer less sweetness, skip the frosting and sprinkle the dough with extra sugar before baking.
Storage/Reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 1 week. These bars can also be frozen for up to 3 months. To enjoy, just let them thaw at room temperature.
FAQs
Can I use whole wheat flour instead of all-purpose flour?
Yes, but the flavor and texture will be slightly different. Whole wheat flour will make the bars a bit denser.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can omit the almond extract, or replace it with an additional 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract for a more traditional flavor.
How do I get perfect cuts on the frosted bars?
Refrigerate the frosted bars for about 10-15 minutes before cutting to help achieve clean, sharp edges.
Can I make these bars without frosting?
Yes, you can simply enjoy them as plain sugar cookie bars or add sprinkles to the dough before baking.
What can I substitute for cream cheese in the dough?
For a lighter texture, you can use sour cream or plain Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese.
How thick should the dough be?
The dough should be thick enough to hold its shape but still spreadable. It should easily fill the baking pan when spread out.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead?
Absolutely! If you’re short on time, store-bought frosting works just as well.
How do I make the bars more festive?
Use colored frosting and sprinkles to match the theme of a holiday or event, such as red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Yes, after baking and frosting, let the bars cool completely before wrapping them tightly and freezing for up to 3 months.
How do I store leftover bars?
Store the leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
Conclusion
These Sugar Cookie Bars are a simple and delicious treat that everyone will love. Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or just need a sweet snack, these bars are easy to make, customizable, and perfect for sharing.
Sugar Cookie Bars
Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert for any occasion! These thick, soft, and chewy bars bring all the deliciousness of sugar cookies without the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. Topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles, they’re fun, festive, and easy to make—ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any gathering.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp milk (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: Cream together butter and sugar in a large bowl. Add egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cream cheese. Mix until smooth.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Slowly add flour, baking powder, and salt, mixing until a thick dough forms.
- Bake: Spread the dough evenly in a greased 9×13-inch pan. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Let cool for 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Make the Frosting: Beat together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Adjust milk to reach desired consistency.
- Frost and Serve: Once bars are cooled, spread frosting evenly on top. Decorate with sprinkles, cut into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Lemon Twist: Add lemon zest and juice to the dough and frosting for a fresh citrus flavor.
- Chocolate Variation: Mix chocolate chips into the dough and top with chocolate frosting.
- No Frosting Option: Skip the frosting for a less sweet option and sprinkle with sugar before baking.
