Description
Delicious and easy-to-make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars featuring a rich buttery cookie base topped with a smooth vanilla frosting. Perfectly soft and slightly golden, these bars are great for sharing with family and friends at any occasion.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 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 (optional, for thinner consistency)
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to get it ready for baking the cookie bars.
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Spray a 12×17 or 13×18-inch cookie sheet with cooking spray to prevent sticking. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a stand mixer bowl, beat together 1 cup butter and 2½ cups granulated sugar for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy, which ensures the cookies have a tender texture.
- Add Vanilla and Eggs: Mix in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract and 4 eggs thoroughly to combine into the butter-sugar mixture.
- Add Dry Ingredients: With the mixer running, add 1 teaspoon salt and ¾ teaspoon baking soda, then slowly add 5 cups of all-purpose flour. Mix until well blended but do not overmix.
- Spread Dough on Pan: Pour the cookie dough onto the prepared cookie sheet and evenly distribute it. Press the dough flat in the pan; sprinkling some flour on top will prevent sticking to your fingers.
- Bake: Place in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn slightly golden brown, signaling that the cookie bars are done.
- Prepare Frosting: While the cookie bars cool, beat 1 cup butter and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract together until light and fluffy in a mixing bowl.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar to the butter mixture, whipping to blend thoroughly until smooth.
- Adjust Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream to thin it out to a spreadable consistency.
- Frost Cookie Bars: Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top and optionally decorate with sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice into bars and serve to enjoy a sweet, buttery treat.
Notes
- Make sure the cookie bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- If you prefer, you can use an electric hand mixer instead of a stand mixer for creaming and whipping.
- Sprinkling a little flour on your hands or spatula helps prevent dough from sticking while pressing it into the pan.
- Store cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for longer storage.
- Feel free to customize the frosting by adding food coloring or different extracts for variety.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: sugar cookie bars, frosted cookies, easy cookie bars, vanilla frosting, baked cookie bars, holiday dessert, buttery cookies
