If you have a sweet tooth and love the aroma of freshly baked treats filling your kitchen, you are absolutely going to adore this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe. These bars are the perfect marriage of soft, buttery cookie texture topped with a luscious, creamy frosting that just melts in your mouth. Whether you’re aiming to wow at a party, or just craving a comforting dessert, these cookie bars deliver that classic sugar cookie flavor in a fun, easy, and utterly irresistible form. Each bite is a celebration of vanilla and almond notes with a delightful sprinkle of colorful sprinkles, making every moment of baking and eating pure joy.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe relies on simple, pantry-friendly ingredients that pack a punch when combined. Every element—from flour to cream cheese to that splash of almond extract—plays an important role in creating the perfect texture, flavor depth, and eye-catching appearance that make these bars unforgettable.
- Flour (2½ cups): Acts as the sturdy backbone binding all the goodies together and ensuring a tender crumb.
- Baking powder (1 tsp): Helps your bars rise just enough without turning cakey.
- Baking soda (½ tsp): Works alongside the baking powder to add lightness and tender texture.
- Salt (¼ – ½ tsp): Balances sweetness and boosts all the other flavors, a small pinch making a huge difference.
- Sugar (1â…“ cups): Sweetens and caramelizes slightly during baking for that classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Unsalted butter (1 cup, room temperature): Contributes rich, creamy flavor and a tender bite.
- Large eggs (2, room temperature): Bind everything together and add moisture.
- Cream cheese (4 oz, softened): Adds a subtle tang that elevates the cookie base with extra moisture and softness.
- Vanilla bean paste (1½ tsp for dough, 1 tsp for frosting): Infuses a deep, fragrant vanilla flavor that feels luxurious.
- Almond extract (½ tsp for dough, ¼ tsp for frosting): A small addition that adds an irresistible nutty undertone.
- Butter for frosting (½ cup, softened): The creamy base for the smooth, dreamy frosting topping.
- Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweet and silky, it transforms the frosting into fluffy perfection.
- Sea salt (pinch in frosting): Balances sweetness and enhances flavor complexity.
- Heavy cream (1-2 Tbsp): Adjusts the frosting’s consistency making it fluffy yet spreadable.
- Sprinkles: Adds fun, color, and festive vibes to your bars, both inside and on top.
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare
Begin by setting your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s perfectly warm when your dough is ready. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper to ensure effortless removal later and to keep those edges clean and crisp.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a small bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This helps distribute the leaveners evenly, which means every bite will have consistent texture and rise.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and sugar on medium-high speed for 3-5 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale. This step is key for incorporating air, so the final bars are tender and not dense.
Step 4: Add Eggs, Extracts, and Cream Cheese
Beat in the eggs one at a time followed by the vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and softened cream cheese. The cream cheese adds creaminess and moisture, which makes these bars really stand out from traditional sugar cookies.
Step 5: Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles
Slowly add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low just until no flour streaks remain. If you’re feeling festive, fold in sprinkles at this stage to distribute tiny bursts of color inside your bars. Be careful not to overmix to preserve that tender crumb.
Step 6: Press Dough into the Pan
Transfer the sticky dough into your prepared pan and press it evenly. To ease this step, lightly spray your hands with oil or lay a sheet of parchment over the dough and gently press down, avoiding sticking and getting a perfectly even surface.
Step 7: Bake and Cool
Bake the bars for about 17-22 minutes, until the edges start to turn a delicate golden brown. Don’t worry if the center looks slightly underdone — it will finish setting as it cools, just like a fudgy brownie. Cooling completely is essential before frosting.
Step 8: Make and Spread the Frosting
Beat the softened butter until silky, then mix in vanilla, almond extract, and a pinch of sea salt. Gradually add powdered sugar and beat well. Finally, add heavy cream a tablespoon at a time until you have that creamy, fluffy frosting. Spread it generously over the cooled bars and top with extra sprinkles for that irresistible festive look.
How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
While the colorful sprinkles already add charm, you can also get creative! Try edible glitter, mini chocolate chips, or finely chopped nuts to add texture and a bit more personality to your bars.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars shine on their own but pairing them with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of homemade caramel sauce can elevate your dessert game. A hot cup of coffee or fresh milk is an ideal companion to balance the sweetness.
Creative Ways to Present
Slice your cookie bars into bite-sized squares and serve them on a pretty platter for a party or stack them in a clear jar tied with a ribbon as a delightful gift. You can even cut them into fun shapes using cookie cutters for themed events or holidays!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The frosting stays soft but firm enough to keep the bars deliciously moist and satisfying.
Freezing
You can freeze frosted cookie bars by placing them in a single layer on a baking sheet until firm, then transferring to an airtight container or freezer bag. They’ll keep well for up to 2 months and can be thawed overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
If you enjoy them slightly warm, gently microwave a bar for about 10-15 seconds. This softens the frosting and enhances the buttery, comforting flavors—just be careful not to melt the frosting too much.
FAQs
Can I use regular vanilla extract instead of vanilla bean paste?
Absolutely! Both work wonderfully. Vanilla bean paste adds a little extra speckled charm and more intense vanilla flavor but standard vanilla extract won’t disappoint in this recipe.
Is cream cheese necessary in this recipe?
Cream cheese gives the cookie bars a wonderful moistness and subtle tang that truly enhances the overall flavor, but if you’re allergic or out of it, you can try omitting or substituting with an equal amount of additional butter.
Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?
You can substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend following the package instructions, but expect a slightly different texture. Sometimes a little xanthan gum helps to keep the bars tender and chewy.
What’s the best way to get sprinkles evenly mixed into the dough?
Add the sprinkles near the end of mixing the dry ingredients into the wet. Fold them in gently so the colors don’t bleed or fade during baking, keeping those fun pops of color vibrant.
How thick should I press the dough in the pan?
Press the dough evenly so it’s about half an inch to three-quarters inch thick. Too thin and the bars might bake too crisp; too thick and they’ll take longer to bake through.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly comforting and joyful about baking this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe and sharing its sweet, buttery whole-family appeal. These bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, bursting with flavor and topped with a frosting that’s absolutely dreamy. Once you try them, I bet these bars will become a beloved staple in your recipe rotation too—perfect for celebrations, gifts, or just a moment to treat yourself. Happy baking!
Print
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Deliciously soft and chewy frosted sugar cookie bars featuring a classic vanilla and almond-flavored cookie base topped with a creamy buttercream frosting and festive sprinkles. Perfect for parties, holidays, or anytime you crave a sweet treat that’s easy to make and share.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- 2½ cups flour (312 g)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
- ¼ – ½ tsp salt
- 1 â…“ cups 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 for topping (optional)
Frosting
- ½ cup butter, softened (113 g)
- 2 cups powdered sugar (approximately 240 g)
- 1 tsp vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
- ¼ tsp almond extract
- Pinch of sea salt
- 1–2 Tbsp heavy cream (15–30 ml), more as desired
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 well combined.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, add the softened butter and sugar. Using an electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat for 3-5 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and extracts: To the creamed mixture, add the eggs, vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and softened cream cheese. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
- Combine dry and wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry flour mixture to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed just until no streaks of flour remain. If desired, fold in sprinkles with the last bit of dry ingredients. Avoid overmixing to keep the batter tender.
- Prepare baking pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper. Lightly oil your hands or cover the dough with parchment to help press the sticky dough evenly into the pan.
- Bake the bars: Bake for 17-22 minutes, until the edges begin to turn a light golden brown. The center may still appear slightly underbaked, which is fine as it will set while cooling.
- Cool completely: Remove the bars from the oven and allow them to cool fully in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Beat the softened butter in a bowl until smooth and creamy. Add the vanilla bean paste, almond extract, and sea salt, mixing to combine.
- Add sugar and cream: Slowly add the powdered sugar to the butter mixture, beating until incorporated. Then add heavy cream and beat until the frosting is creamy and fluffy. Adjust cream quantity if needed for consistency.
- Frost and decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Top with additional sprinkles if desired.
- Set and serve: Allow the buttercream frosting to set before cutting into bars and serving.
Notes
- For easier handling, lightly spray your hands with oil or use parchment paper to press the dough evenly into the pan.
- Do not overmix the batter after adding the dry ingredients to ensure tender, soft bars.
- Allowing the bars to cool completely before frosting prevents the buttercream from melting.
- These bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Sprinkles are optional but add a festive touch perfect for celebrations.
