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Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5.1 from 19 reviews

Delight in these soft and buttery Sugar Cookie Bars topped with a creamy, sweet frosting that’s perfect for any occasion. This easy-to-make recipe transforms classic sugar cookie flavors into a convenient bar format, ideal for sharing or snacking.

Ingredients

Scale

Sugar Cookie Bars

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 3/4 cup sugar
  • 1 whole egg
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp almond extract
  • 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour

Sugar Cookie Frosting

  • 1/4 cup butter, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 2 tbsp milk
  • 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
  • Pink food coloring gel (optional)
  • Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring the edges hang over the sides for easy removal later, and set aside.
  2. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, using a hand or stand mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese, then mix until fully combined, scraping down the bowl sides as needed.
  3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Stir gently until a thick cookie dough batter forms, taking care not to overmix to keep the texture tender.
  4. Spread Dough and Bake: Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the cookie bars are set and the top turns a light golden brown. Remove from oven and allow to cool for several minutes.
  5. Prepare Frosting: While the bars cool, make the frosting by beating together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and optional pink food coloring gel in a medium bowl. Adjust the consistency by adding more milk if too thick or more powdered sugar if too thin.
  6. Frost and Serve: Once the bars have cooled sufficiently, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into 16 squares and serve. Enjoy your delicious sugar cookie bars!

Notes

  • Ensure the cream cheese and butter are softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Do not overmix the dough to maintain a tender and soft texture.
  • Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy removal of bars from the pan.
  • The frosting can be tinted with food coloring for a festive touch.
  • Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
  • For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookie bars, easy cookie bars, sugar cookie recipe, frosted cookie bars, soft sugar cookies

Find it online: https://dailysimplerecipe.com/sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/