With their soft, buttery texture and creamy vanilla frosting, these Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect combination of sweet and indulgent! Whether you're looking for a dessert to share with friends or a special treat for yourself, these sugar cookies in bar form will hit the spot!
These sugar cookie bars are a delightful twist on the classic sugar cookie - they use classic sugar cookie ingredients, except they're baked in a sheet pan, making them easy to slice and share with friends and family. Then the cookie bars are then topped with a generous layer of smooth, creamy vanilla frosting, making them the ultimate indulgent treat!
The cookie itself is rich and buttery, with just the right amount of sweetness, while the frosting is a dreamy blend of butter, vanilla, and powdered sugar, whipped together until it's light and fluffy. It's the perfect complement to the cookie, creating a sweet and satisfying combination that's hard to resist.
Serve them as a dessert at your next dinner party or potluck, slice them up and pack them in your kids' lunchboxes, or enjoy them as a special treat with a cup of tea or coffee. These bars are perfect for sharing or treating yourself to something sweet and delicious that's easy to make!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Frosted sugar cookie bars are the perfect combination of soft and buttery cookies, topped with creamy vanilla frosting that's guaranteed to satisfy your sweet tooth cravings!
- This recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize the frosting with different colors and flavors, making it perfect for holidays and special occasions.
- These cookie bars are easy to make and perfect for sharing with friends and family. Plus, they're baked in a sheet pan, which means you can cut them into any shape or size you like.
- Whether you're serving them up for a party, packing them in your kids' lunchboxes, or enjoying them as a special treat, these bars are a must-try for anyone who loves sweet and indulgent desserts!
Ingredients You'll Need
- Butter- A key ingredient in this recipe, providing richness and flavor to the cookie bars. It also helps to create a soft and tender texture in the cookies.
- Granulated Sugar - Provides sweetness to the cookie bars and also helps to create a crispy texture on the edges.
- Eggs - Gives structure to the cookie bars, helping to hold the dough together and create a soft, tender texture.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds flavor, giving them a sweet and fragrant aroma.
- Salt - Enhances the flavor, bringing out the sweetness and adding depth to the taste.
- Baking Soda - Acts as a leavening agent in the recipe, helping the cookie bars to rise and become light and fluffy.
- All-Purpose Flour - Provides structure, helping them to hold their shape while combining with the rest of the ingredients.
Vanilla Frosting
- Butter - The base of the frosting, providing richness and flavor and a smooth and creamy texture.
- Vanilla Extract - Adds flavor to the frosting, giving it a sweet and fragrant aroma.
- Powdered Sugar - Gives sweetness and helps to create a smooth and creamy texture. It also helps to stabilize the frosting, preventing it from becoming runny.
- Heavy Cream - Used to thin out the frosting, creating a smoother and more spreadable consistency.
How To Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Frosting
Prepare for baking: Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare a cookie sheet (12"x17" or 13"x18") by spraying with cooking spray, and set aside.
Mix the wet ingredients: In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy for up to 3 minutes. Next, add vanilla and eggs, and mix well.
Add the dry ingredients: While the mixer is on, add the salt and baking soda, then slowly add the flour until combined and no dry streaks remain.
Pour and bake: Pour the cookie dough batter into the prepared cookie sheet and press the dough into the pan evenly. Sprinkle the top of the dough with flour to prevent your hands from sticking. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cookie dough is slightly golden brown. Let the cookie bars cool completely.
Make the frosting: Add the butter and vanilla extract to a mixing bowl and cream together until its light and fluffy. Then slowly add the powdered sugar and mix until the ingredients are well incorporated. Add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream and mix if the frosting is too thick.
Frost and slice: Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, frost the top with the vanilla frosting. Add sprinkles to the top for garnish. Enjoy!
Recipe Tips
- To ensure that your cookie bars bake evenly. Make sure to spread the dough out as evenly as possible in the baking pan.
- Don't overmix the cookie dough - this can cause the bars to become tough and dry. Mix until all the ingredients are just combined.
- For a smoother and creamier frosting, be sure to whip the butter and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy before adding the heavy cream.
- Let the bars cool completely before frosting them, as this will help to ensure that the frosting won't melt off the bars.
- For an extra-special touch, add some colorful sprinkles or decorations to the top of the frosting before it sets.
Variations
- For a fun and colorful twist, try adding a few drops of food coloring to the frosting. You can create different shades to match any occasion or holiday.
- To add some crunch to your cookie bars. Simply sprinkle some chopped nuts or candy pieces on top of the frosting before it sets.
- For a citrusy twist, add a tablespoon of lemon or orange zest to the cookie dough. This will add a fresh and zesty flavor to the bars.
- If you're a fan of chocolate, try swapping out some of the flour in the recipe for cocoa powder to create a chocolate sugar cookie bar. You can also add a chocolate frosting on top.
- Drizzle the cookie bars with melted chocolate for an extra indulgent treat.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: To store, place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with plastic wrap. They can be stored at room temperature for up to 3-4 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Freezing: If you want to freeze your cookie bars, wrap them tightly with plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. To thaw, simply leave them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight.
FAQ
Yes, you can make the frosting ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. When you're ready to use it, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick whipping with a hand mixer to restore its texture.
All-purpose flour works best in this recipe, but you can experiment with other types of flour, such as gluten-free flour or almond flour, to create a different texture and flavor.
Yes, you can omit the frosting or use a different type of frosting, such as cream cheese frosting or chocolate ganache. Just be aware that it will affect the overall taste and texture of the cookie bars.
More Easy Dessert Recipes
- Fruity Pebbles Rice Crispy Treats
- Lucky Charm Rice Krispie Treats
- Raspberry Lemonade Cookies
- Homemade Cherry Turnovers with Puff Pastry
- Salted Caramel Rice Krispie Treats
- Birthday Cake Cookies with Cake Mix
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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter
- 2½ cups granulated sugar
- 4 eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- ¾ tsp baking soda
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- 1 cup butter
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tbsp heavy cream For a thinner consistency
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare cookie sheet (12"x17" or 13"x18") by spraying with cooking spray, and set aside.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy (2-3 mins.).
- Next, add vanilla and eggs, and mix well.
- While the mixer is on, add salt and baking soda. Slowly add in flour until well blended.
- Pour the dough onto the cookie sheet and evenly distribute it in the pan. Press dough in the pan. Tip: sprinkle flour on top of the dough to avoid it sticking to your fingers.
- Bake for 20-25 min. or until slightly golden brown.
Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, add butter and vanilla extract. Cream together until light and fluffy.
- Slowly add in the powdered sugar and whip together until all the ingredients are well incorporated.
- If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons of heavy cream.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars. Top with sprinkles, and enjoy!
Nutrition
*All nutrition information provided is automatically calculated and is an estimate and will vary based on ingredients, brands, and changes in cooking methods listed in the recipe. If you need exact numbers on your ingredients, I would recommend calculating them with your prefered nutrition calculator.
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