Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

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These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect blend of soft, chewy texture with a creamy, melt-in-your-mouth vanilla frosting. They offer all the nostalgic flavor of classic sugar cookies, but in a much easier and more shareable bar form. Each bite is buttery, sweet, and perfectly balanced with the rich frosting and a playful touch of sprinkles.

Whether you’re baking for the holidays, a family gathering, or just because you’re craving something sweet, these bars are a true crowd-pleaser. They slice beautifully, transport easily, and can be customized with seasonal sprinkles or colored frosting to match any occasion. It’s a simple, timeless dessert that always brings joy.

Full Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt

Frosting:

½ cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoons milk
Sprinkles, for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined.
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Do not overbake.
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Slowly add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
Frost the cooled cookie bars evenly and top with sprinkles. Cut into squares and serve.

Prep Time: 15 minutes | Cooking Time: 25 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes

Kcal: 320 kcal | Servings: 16 bars

There’s something timeless about the simple sweetness of a sugar cookie. The buttery, chewy bite and hint of vanilla instantly bring back memories of holidays, school bake sales, and afternoons spent in the kitchen with family. But let’s be honest, rolling out dough, cutting shapes, and decorating dozens of individual cookies isn’t always practical. That’s where Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars come in.

These bars deliver the same nostalgic flavor and texture of a traditional sugar cookie but in an easier, quicker format. Imagine the softest sugar cookie base baked in a single pan, slathered with creamy vanilla frosting, and topped with colorful sprinkles. No rolling pin, no cookie cutters, no hours in the kitchen, just pure joy in every bite.

Whether you’re baking for a crowd, planning a holiday platter, or simply craving a sweet treat on a weeknight, these bars are the answer. They’re festive enough for celebrations, simple enough for everyday baking, and versatile enough to adapt for different seasons or occasions.

Why You’ll Love These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Effortless but impressive: Skip the rolling and cutting; the dough spreads into one pan and bakes beautifully.
Perfectly soft and chewy: The butter-rich dough guarantees a soft center with just the right amount of chew.
Crowd-pleasing frosting: Smooth, fluffy vanilla buttercream elevates the cookie base into something truly special.
Customizable for any occasion: Change the sprinkles, frosting color, or add flavor variations to suit holidays, birthdays, or themed parties.
Make-ahead friendly: They stay soft and delicious for days, making them ideal for gifting or preparing ahead.

Ingredient Notes and Tips

While the recipe is simple, understanding each ingredient helps ensure the best results.

Butter: Use unsalted butter at room temperature. It creates the tender, rich base of the cookie bars and adds flavor to the frosting. Salted butter can be used, but reduce the added salt slightly.
Sugar: Granulated sugar keeps the bars sweet and helps achieve the light, chewy texture.
Eggs: Provide structure and help bind the dough. Room-temperature eggs blend more smoothly.
Vanilla Extract: The star flavoring of both the dough and the frosting. For a stronger, more aromatic flavor, use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation.
Flour: All-purpose flour gives structure. Make sure to measure correctly by spooning into the cup and leveling off, too much flour leads to dense bars.
Baking Powder & Salt: A small lift and balance of flavor come from these. Don’t skip them!
Powdered Sugar (for frosting): Creates a smooth, creamy buttercream that spreads beautifully.
Milk: Adjusts the frosting’s consistency. Add just enough to make it spreadable without being runny.
Sprinkles: The fun finishing touch. Seasonal or themed sprinkles can instantly transform the bars for Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Easter, or birthdays.

Variations to Try

One of the best things about sugar cookie bars is how adaptable they are. Here are some delicious ways to switch things up:

Colorful Frosting: Tint the frosting with gel food coloring to match a holiday or theme.
Flavored Frosting: Swap vanilla extract for almond, lemon, or peppermint extract for a new twist.
Chocolate Lovers: Mix mini chocolate chips into the dough or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted bars.
Fruit-Inspired: Top the frosting with fresh berries or sprinkle freeze-dried fruit powder into the buttercream.
Festive Themes: Use orange and black sprinkles for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, or pastel shades for spring celebrations.

Tips for Perfect Bars Every Time

Don’t Overbake: The bars should look slightly underdone in the center when you take them out. They’ll continue to set as they cool, keeping them soft and chewy.
Cool Completely Before Frosting: If the bars are warm, the frosting will melt and slide off. Patience pays off here.
Use an Offset Spatula for Frosting: It helps spread the buttercream evenly and smoothly across the top.
Cut with a Sharp Knife: Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat, bakery-style squares.
Make Ahead: Bake the bars a day in advance, store unfrosted, and frost before serving for the freshest look and taste.

How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

These bars are as versatile as they are delicious. Serve them at:

Holiday Gatherings: Arrange on a dessert platter with brownies, fudge, and other cookies.
Birthday Parties: Kids and adults alike love the sweet simplicity and sprinkle fun.
School or Office Events: Easy to transport and share, making them perfect for potlucks.
Everyday Treats: Sometimes you don’t need an occasion; just enjoy them with coffee, tea, or a glass of milk.

Storage and Freezing

At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3-4 days. The bars stay soft and the frosting holds well.
Refrigerated: If you live in a warm climate, refrigerate for up to 5 days, but bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Freezing: Bake and cool the bars completely before frosting. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight, then frost fresh for a just-baked taste.

Why These Bars Are a Better Alternative to Cut-Out Cookies

While traditional cut-out sugar cookies are beautiful, they can be time-consuming: rolling dough, cutting shapes, baking in multiple batches, and then decorating each cookie individually. Sugar cookie bars cut down on the effort without sacrificing the taste. Instead of hours of work, you get one pan of perfectly chewy cookies ready to slice and serve.

For busy families, holiday bakers, or anyone who loves sugar cookies but doesn’t love the hassle, these bars are a lifesaver. They’re the kind of recipe that makes baking fun again instead of stressful.

Conclusion

Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are a sweet reminder that sometimes the simplest recipes are the most loved. With a buttery cookie base, fluffy vanilla frosting, and cheerful sprinkles, these bars bring comfort, joy, and nostalgia in every bite. They’re easy to prepare, fun to customize, and perfect for sharing with the people you love most.

Whether you’re making them for a holiday celebration, a birthday party, or just an ordinary day that needs a little sweetness, these cookie bars are guaranteed to put smiles on faces. Baking doesn’t need to be complicated to be meaningful and this recipe proves it with every soft, frosted square.