If you love soft, buttery sugar cookies but wish they were easier and quicker to bake, these Sugar Cookie Bars are about to become your new obsession. They deliver all that classic sweet vanilla-almond flavor in a thick, chewy bar you can frost and decorate to your heart’s content—no rolling or cutting required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Fuss, No Rolling: Skip chilling and rolling dough—just press this Sugar Cookie Bar batter right in the pan for fast, easy prep every time.
- Ultra-Soft & Chewy: Thanks to a perfect blend of butter and sugar, every bite is thick, moist, and irresistibly tender.
- Versatile for Any Occasion: Top with your favorite colored frosting and sprinkles to fit any holiday, party, or craving.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavor: Rich vanilla and almond extract make these bars taste just like your bakery favorite—but homemade and even better.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Just a handful of pantry staples come together to create the magic of these Sugar Cookie Bars. You’ll recognize every ingredient, but each one works its own little alchemy for flavor, texture, or sky-high frosting!
- Butter (softened): Provides that rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and classic cookie flavor. Use real butter for the best results.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie layer and brings that signature sugar cookie crunch.
- Egg: Binds everything together and keeps the bars soft and chewy.
- Vanilla extract: For that nostalgic, comforting flavor—don’t skimp on quality!
- Almond extract: The secret weapon: just a hint adds bakery-style aroma and depth.
- All-purpose flour (fluffed): The foundation—fluffing before measuring helps ensure soft, light bars.
- Baking powder: Lifts the dough just enough for a tender, thick cookie base.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights every other ingredient.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for a silky-smooth, creamy frosting.
- Milk: Thins the frosting to your perfect spreadable consistency.
- Sprinkles: Optional, but highly recommended for color, crunch, and pure joy!
Variations
One of the best things about Sugar Cookie Bars? How adaptable they are! You can easily tweak the flavors, toppings, or even the texture to match your mood, occasion, or pantry.
- Lemon Twist: Swap the almond extract for a little fresh lemon zest and a splash of lemon juice for a bright, sunny spin.
- Gluten-Free: Use your favorite 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend—the bars turn out just as soft and scrumptious.
- Chocolate Lovers: Stir in mini chocolate chips to the dough or add a layer of chocolate frosting instead of vanilla.
- Seasonal Fun: Change up sprinkles and frosting color to match holidays or birthday themes—think pastels for spring, red and green for Christmas, or neon for birthdays!
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1: Prep the Pan & Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper and give it a quick spray with nonstick cooking spray—this makes lifting out the bars a total breeze when they’re done, and cleanup is even easier.
Step 2: Cream the Butter & Sugar
With an electric mixer, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about two minutes, until the mixture is super light and fluffy. Don’t rush this step—creaming gives your bars that signature soft crumb and bakery-style texture.
Step 3: Add Eggs & Flavorings
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl so every bit gets incorporated, then give it another quick mix to blend until smooth and glossy.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
Add the flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together—it may look crumbly at first, but if you grab a small handful, it should press together easily. No need to overmix!
Step 5: Press & Bake
Transfer the dough to your prepared baking dish and press it down evenly with your hands or a spatula. Bake for 20–25 minutes, just until the edges turn light golden and the center is set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 6: Whip Up the Frosting
Once the cookie base is fully cool, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract for the frosting. Add milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s perfectly spreadable and creamy—then pile it generously on top of your bars.
Step 7: Decorate & Slice
Finish by sprinkling your favorite sprinkles over that fluffy frosting. Slice into bars (I love 24 squares, but you can cut larger or smaller to suit your crowd) and get ready for the smiles!
Pro Tips for Making Sugar Cookie Bars
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and egg are both at room temperature—this creates the creamiest batter and fluffiest bars.
- Don’t Overbake: For ultra-soft Sugar Cookie Bars, pull them out of the oven as soon as the edges are golden and the center no longer jiggles. They’ll firm up as they cool.
- Even Frosting Every Time: To get that bakery-worthy, thick layer of frosting, use an offset spatula or back of a spoon to smooth it across cooled bars.
- Sprinkle Strategy: If you’re using sprinkles, add them immediately after frosting, before it sets—this way, they stick beautifully!
How to Serve Sugar Cookie Bars
Garnishes
You can never go wrong with a generous flourish of rainbow or holiday-themed sprinkles, but you can also mix things up with a drizzle of melted chocolate, colored sugars, or even a dusting of edible glitter for a touch of magic.
Side Dishes
Sugar Cookie Bars are perfectly sweet for coffee time or dessert, so pair them with a fresh fruit salad, vanilla ice cream, or a cold glass of milk for a playful, nostalgic treat. They also make a fun companion to berry compote or lemon curd for those who like a little tart with their sweet!
Creative Ways to Present
Try cutting the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or stack mini squares in treat bags for festive party favors. You can also turn them into “Cookie Bar Sandwiches” by stacking two with a little extra frosting in between—kids especially love these!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Sugar Cookie Bars ultra-soft by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature—they’ll stay fresh and chewy for up to 3 days. For extra insurance, tuck a piece of wax paper between layers to keep the frosting looking perfect.
Freezing
Yes, you can freeze Sugar Cookie Bars! Slice and layer with parchment in an airtight container. They’ll keep their flavor and texture for up to 2 months—just thaw at room temperature before serving (sprinkles and all!).
Reheating
If you like your bars a bit warm, zap individual slices in the microwave for about 7 seconds. It’ll soften them up without melting the frosting completely—a cozy treat on a chilly day!
FAQs
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Can I make Sugar Cookie Bars ahead for parties?
Absolutely! You can bake and frost them up to a day in advance—just cover tightly and store at room temperature until you’re ready to slice and serve. They hold up beautifully for gatherings.
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What’s the best way to get clean slices?
For neat edges, cool the bars completely and use a large, sharp knife. Wipe the blade between cuts to keep sprinkles and frosting looking tidy. Chilling in the fridge for 10 minutes can help if the frosting is super soft.
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Can I double this Sugar Cookie Bars recipe?
Yes! Simply bake the bars in two 9×13-inch pans, or use a large sheet pan and adjust baking time as needed. It’s a great idea for parties or bake sales.
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Do Sugar Cookie Bars need to be refrigerated?
No need to refrigerate unless your kitchen is very warm or you’re storing them for more than a couple of days. Room temperature is perfect for preserving their texture and flavor.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something magical about sharing a big tray of Sugar Cookie Bars—everyone loves them, they’re endlessly customizable, and they’re as fun to bake as they are to eat. I hope you’ll give these a try and find as much joy in them as I do. Enjoy every soft, sweet, sprinkle-topped bite!
Print
Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies. Soft, chewy cookie bars topped with a creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles, they’re perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cookie bars:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour, fluffed*
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 1 lb powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3–4 tablespoons milk
- Sprinkles, if desired, for decoration
Instructions
- For the cookie bars: Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper and spray with nonstick cooking spray.
- Using an electric hand mixer, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
- Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula and mix again.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix just until incorporated. The dough should stick together and hold its shape.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared dish and press down. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Cool completely.
- For the frosting: Using an electric hand mixer, combine butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Add 3 tablespoons of milk, mix well, then add more until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars and add sprinkles if desired. Cut into bars and serve.
The parchment paper is for easy removal.
Notes
- Fluffing the flour means aerating it before measuring to ensure you don’t use too much.
- Feel free to customize the frosting with food coloring for different occasions.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
