Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting Recipe

If you’ve ever wished for a buttery, soft cookie you can just slice and enjoy without the fuss of rolling and cutting out shapes, this Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting Recipe is exactly what you need. I absolutely love how these bars blend the classic sugar cookie flavor with a creamy, dreamy vanilla frosting that just takes it over the top. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just craving an easy homemade treat, these bars deliver on taste and simplicity.

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Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients in this sugar cookie bars with vanilla frosting recipe come together beautifully—simple staples that you might already have in your pantry. I love that the combination of butter and shortening keeps the bars tender and moist, while the almond extract gives that signature sugar cookie punch.

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter lets you cream it easier, which helps make the bars fluffy.
• Shortening: This adds tenderness and helps the bars hold their shape without getting greasy.
• Granulated sugar: Adds just the right sweetness and helps with the soft texture.
• Eggs: I always use room temperature eggs for better mixing and consistency.
• Almond extract: A little goes a long way to create that classic sugar cookie flavor.
• All-purpose flour: The base of the dough; I make sure it’s fresh for best results.
• Baking powder: Helps the bars rise just enough for a tender crumb.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
• Confectioners sugar: For the frosting’s smooth, creamy sweetness.
• Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps you achieve the perfect frosting consistency.
• Clear vanilla extract: Keeps the frosting wonderfully white—and yes, it’s imitation vanilla but boosts that vanilla flavor nicely.
• Festive sprinkles: Because what’s sugar cookie bars without a little fun on top, right?

Variations

One of the things I love most about this sugar cookie bars with vanilla frosting recipe is how easy it is to tweak to your liking. I’ve played around with different extracts and mix-ins, so I encourage you to personalize it and make it your own!

• Using vanilla extract instead of almond: I switch to pure vanilla extract when I want a more mellow, traditional flavor. Just note your frosting might have a slight tint.
• Adding lemon zest: For a bright twist, I sometimes add fresh lemon zest to the dough — it pairs great with the vanilla frosting.
• Sprinkle swaps: Try rainbow, holiday-themed, or even edible glitter sprinkles for seasonal flair—my family goes crazy for these little touches!
• Nut or chocolate chips: Sometimes I fold in mini chocolate chips or chopped nuts for extra texture, but keep the base recipe in mind—the bars do best when not crowded.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining an 8×8-inch pan with parchment paper. I love leaving some parchment hanging over the sides — it makes lifting the bars out a breeze once they’re baked. Set the pan aside while you mix up the dough.

Step 2: Cream Butter, Shortening & Sugar

In a large bowl, beat the room temperature butter, shortening, and granulated sugar together until fluffy and well combined. This step really sets the stage for soft bars, so don’t rush it. When I’m in a hurry, I usually blend on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes—it’s worth the extra time!

Step 3: Add Eggs and Almond Extract

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. When you add the second egg, include the almond extract so its flavor really melds in. Almond extract is subtle but makes a huge difference here—you’ll notice that classic sugar cookie aroma filling your kitchen.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your wet mixture, mixing just until everything comes together. Be careful not to overmix here because you want tender, soft bars—not dense ones.

Step 5: Bake the Bars

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven. Bake for about 25 minutes or until the edges and top turn a light golden brown. I’ve learned that underbaking slightly is better than overbaking—these bars should be just set with a few moist crumbs when you poke with a toothpick. This keeps them perfectly soft and chewy.

Step 6: Make the Vanilla Frosting

While the bars cool completely (don’t rush this!), beat together confectioners sugar, butter, heavy cream, and clear vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. If you want thinner frosting, add heavy cream by the tablespoon until you get your desired spreadability. This frosting is my favorite part—it balances the sweet bars perfectly.

Step 7: Frost and Decorate

Spread the frosting evenly over your cooled bars, then add festive sprinkles right on top. It’s a simple way to make them feel special and celebratory! Slice into squares and enjoy with a fresh cup of coffee or tea.

How to Serve Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting Recipe

Garnishes

I’m a sucker for festive sprinkles—they add a pop of color and some crunch. Sometimes, I like to toss on a light dusting of edible glitter or even chopped toasted nuts for texture. It’s fun especially during holidays or birthday parties.

Side Dishes

These bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of coffee or a cold glass of milk. For occasions, I often serve alongside fresh fruit or a fruit salad which adds a nice contrast to the buttery, sweet bars.

Creative Ways to Present

For birthdays or holidays, I like to arrange these bars on a decorative platter with some sprigs of fresh mint or edible flowers around the edges. You can also layer them in a clear box as a sweet gift that looks homemade and special.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days—after that, I move them to the fridge to keep the frosting fresh. They stay soft and delicious this way, trust me.

Freezing

Whenever I have extra bars, I wrap the unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap and freeze in a sealed container for up to three months. When I’m ready, I thaw them at room temperature and frost fresh—it’s a game changer for advance prep.

Reheating

If you want warm bars, I reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. Just be mindful not to overdo it, or the bars can get too soft and the frosting might melt—still tasty, but a little messier!

FAQs

Final Thoughts

I have to say, this Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting Recipe holds a special place in my heart—not just because of how delicious it is, but because it’s saved me countless times when I needed a quick, crowd-pleasing dessert. I love sharing it with friends and family and seeing their faces light up with every bite. If you give it a try, I think you’ll find the same kind of joy in baking and sharing it as I do. Trust me, once you make these bars, they’ll become your go-to sugar cookie treat!

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