If you love the classic flavor of sugar cookies but crave an easier way to enjoy them without the fuss of rolling and cutting dough, this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is exactly what you need. It turns all those bright, buttery, vanilla-scented cookie vibes into a luscious, chewy bar form topped with a creamy, dreamy frosting and colorful sprinkles that make every bite feel like a celebration. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or just want a sweet treat that’s quick to slice and serve, these bars deliver all the nostalgic comfort of sugar cookies packed with an extra dose of joy in every square.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, you’ll use simple pantry staples and a few special touches that create a perfect balance of textures and flavors. Each ingredient plays a key role, from the fluffy butter and cream cheese in the dough to the rich, silky frosting on top.
- Flour (2½ cups): The base that gives structure to the cookie bars for that perfect chewy-yet-soft bite.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Helps the bars rise just enough to stay tender without becoming cakey.
- Baking soda (½ tsp): Adds subtle lightness and works with the cream cheese for a slight lift.
- Salt (¼ – ½ tsp): Balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors.
- Sugar (1â…“ cups): Sweetens the cookie dough perfectly while contributing to a slight crisp on the edges.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, room temp): Provides richness and moisture, essential for soft, tender bars.
- Large eggs (2, room temp): Bind the ingredients and add to the soft texture.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Adds tang and richness, making the cookies extra moist and flavorful.
- Vanilla bean paste (1½ tsp): Delivers a deep, fragrant vanilla flavor—the real secret to a memorable sugar cookie.
- Almond extract (½ tsp): Offers a subtle nuttiness that elevates the overall flavor profile.
- Butter for frosting (½ cup, softened): Creates a silky base for the frosting.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and thickens the frosting to that perfect fluffy texture.
- Sea salt (pinch): Balances the sweetness in the frosting.
- Heavy cream (1-2 Tbsp): Adjusts the frosting consistency for spreading or piping.
- Sprinkles: Because every batch deserves a pop of color and fun on top!
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13 inch pan with parchment paper. This step is key to ensuring your bars bake evenly and come out cleanly for slicing later.
Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed throughout the flour, so every bite gets a balanced texture and flavor.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed until the mixture is pale and fluffy, about 3 to 5 minutes. This step adds air into the batter, giving your cookie bars a wonderfully light texture despite their chewy nature.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Cream Cheese, and Flavorings
Add the eggs, softened cream cheese, vanilla bean paste, and almond extract to the creamed butter and sugar. Beat everything until it’s fully incorporated. The cream cheese in this step is a game-changer, adding moistness and slight tanginess that makes these bars extra special.
Step 5: Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture while mixing on low speed, just until no streaks of flour remain. Toss in sprinkles now if you’re adding them inside the bars—they add cheerful pops of color and a fun surprise texture. Avoid over-mixing to keep your bars tender.
Step 6: Press Dough and Bake
Press the sticky dough evenly into your parchment-lined pan. Lightly oiling your hands or using another piece of parchment on top makes this easier. Bake for 17 to 22 minutes until the edges turn a light golden brown. It’s okay if the center looks slightly underbaked; it will set as it cools, just like a brownie.
Step 7: Make the Frosting
While the bars cool completely, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, then beat in the heavy cream to reach a fluffy, spreadable consistency. This frosting is pure decadence with a subtle hint of almond.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Finish by sprinkling more colorful sprinkles on top for a joyful, festive touch. Allow the frosting to set before slicing to keep clean edges and perfect bar shapes.
How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Adding vibrant sprinkles not only lifts the look but also brings a satisfying crunch that contrasts with the soft bars. For a seasonal twist, try edible glitter or colored sugar crystals to match holidays or parties.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars pair wonderfully with a cold glass of milk for the ultimate nostalgic combo. For a grown-up treat, serve alongside a cup of hot coffee or tea, which balances the sweetness beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a decorative platter with fresh berries or mint leaves. For parties, consider stacking small bars in cupcake liners to make them easy for guests to grab and enjoy without crumbs.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, cover the bars tightly with plastic wrap or store them in an airtight container. They keep wonderfully at room temperature for up to three days, maintaining their soft texture and fresh flavor.
Freezing
You can freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then in a freezer-safe container for up to three months. Thaw completely before frosting and serving to keep the frosting fresh and creamy.
Reheating
If you prefer a slightly warm bar, gently microwave an individual piece for 10 to 15 seconds. Avoid overheating so the frosting doesn’t melt completely—warm enough to soften the cookie for a melt-in-your-mouth experience.
FAQs
Can I use butter extract instead of vanilla bean paste?
Butter extract has a different flavor profile and is less intense than vanilla bean paste, so while you can use it, the bars may lack that iconic vanilla depth. For best flavor, stick to vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract.
What if I don’t have cream cheese?
Cream cheese adds moisture and a slight tang, but if you don’t have it, you can try substituting with an equal amount of sour cream or Greek yogurt. The texture will be slightly different, but your bars will still be delicious.
How do I make sprinkles stay on top better?
Sprinkle them right after frosting while the buttercream is still soft so they stick well. You can also press them lightly into the frosting for a more secure hold.
Are these bars gluten-free?
This recipe uses regular flour, so it is not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose blend. Be aware that texture may vary slightly depending on the blend used.
Can I make these bars vegan?
To make a vegan version, substitute butter with vegan margarine, use flax or chia eggs, replace cream cheese with vegan cream cheese, and choose a plant-based milk for the frosting. The flavor and texture will be close but slightly different.
Final Thoughts
You honestly can’t go wrong with this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe—it’s so joyful and simple that it quickly becomes a crowd favorite for any occasion. Whether baked for holidays, birthdays, or just a cozy weekend treat, these bars bring a comforting sweetness paired with a gorgeous creamy frosting that makes you want to come back for just one more piece. Give it a try, and prepare to see why everyone falls in love with these bars every single time!
Print
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delightfully soft and buttery frosted sugar cookie bars featuring a creamy almond-vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles. These bars are easy to make with a tender cookie base enriched with cream cheese and topped with a luscious homemade buttercream, perfect for celebrations or a sweet treat any time.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour (312 g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt
- 1â…“ cups granulated sugar (267 g)
- 1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (226 g)
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1½ tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- Sprinkles (optional, for mixing in dough)
Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (113 g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream (more as desired)
- Sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to prepare for baking the cookie bars.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer on medium-high speed for 3 to 5 minutes, until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Eggs and Flavorings: Beat in the eggs, vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and softened cream cheese until fully incorporated and smooth. Slowly add the dry ingredients and mix on low speed just until the flour disappears and no streaks remain. If desired, fold sprinkles in at this stage, being careful not to overmix.
- Prepare Baking Pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly spray your hands with oil or use parchment to press the sticky cookie dough evenly into the pan.
- Bake the Cookie Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 to 22 minutes, or until the edges start to turn a light golden brown and the center looks just set but may still be slightly underdone. This will allow the center to finish cooking as it cools.
- Cool Completely: Remove the bars from the oven and let them cool completely in the pan to set properly before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened butter in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and a pinch of sea salt, mixing until combined. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, then add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time while beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the buttercream frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and sprinkle additional sprinkles on top. Allow the frosting to set before slicing into bars.
Notes
- For easier pressing of sticky dough, lightly oil your hands or cover the dough with parchment paper while pressing into the pan.
- Make sure eggs and butter are at room temperature for better mixing and texture.
- Don’t overmix the dough once you add the flour; this keeps the bars tender.
- You can add sprinkles inside the dough and on top for a fun, colorful look.
- Allow the bars to cool fully before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
- Store bars covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
