If you’ve ever wished you could get all the joy of a sugar cookie, but with way less fuss than rolling, cutting, and decorating individual cookies, Sugar Cookie Bars are here to make dessert dreams come true. These ultra-soft, thick, and buttery bars are slathered with creamy frosting and cheered up with colorful sprinkles on top. They’re the perfect nostalgic treat for a party, a potluck, or just a cozy afternoon when you want something sweet and special but also incredibly easy to whip up!

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of Sugar Cookie Bars lies in their simplicity — every ingredient truly counts. From rich butter to fragrant extracts and creamy frosting, each brings an essential something to the final bar. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:

Butter: Gives the bars their irresistible richness and a perfectly tender crumb.

Sugar: Sweetens the cookie base and ensures a soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Egg: Binds the dough and adds that chewy lift.

Vanilla extract: Brings the classic warm cookie flavor to every bite.
Almond extract: Just a touch for that bakery-fresh aroma and subtle nutty taste.

Cream cheese (softened): Adds moisture and a bit of tang, making these bars extra plush.
Baking powder: Lends gentle lift and just the right amount of fluffiness.
All-purpose flour: The sturdy backbone that holds it all together but still allows for a soft bite.

Butter (softened, for frosting): Creates a lusciously smooth and pipe-able frosting.
Powdered sugar: Dissolves seamlessly into the frosting for a silky finish.
Milk: Thin out the frosting to spreadable perfection.

Vanilla extract (for frosting): Layer on even more vanilla goodness in every frosted bite.
Pink food coloring gel (optional): A fun pop of color that makes these bars instantly festive.
Sprinkles (optional): Because who doesn’t love that satisfying crunch and happy splash of color?

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. This brings your kitchen to just the right temperature for perfectly-baked bars. Go ahead and line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This simple step guarantees you’ll be able to lift those bars out for beautiful, clean slices later — no sticky corners or broken bottoms.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, use your favorite hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar. Watch as it becomes airy and pale — that’s when you know you’re building the perfect fluffy foundation. Then add the egg, vanilla, almond extract, and cream cheese, and continue mixing until it’s all thoroughly combined. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl so every bit gets mixed in!

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Gradually sprinkle in the flour and baking powder. Combine just until you have a thick, cohesive cookie dough batter. The key here is to stop mixing as soon as you see no more streaks of flour — overmixing leads to tough bars, and we’re after ultimate softness!

Step 4: Spread and Bake

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and gently spread it out with a spatula. You want an even layer so every Sugar Cookie Bar bakes up beautifully. Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. The top should look set and just a hint golden. Resist the urge to overbake — they’ll continue to set as they cool, ensuring that signature tender texture.

Step 5: Whip Up the Frosting

While your bars cool, it’s frosting time! Beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and the pink food coloring gel if you’re feeling playful. Adjust with an extra splash of milk if your frosting is too thick or an extra dusting of powdered sugar if it’s looking runny. Go for a consistency that’s thick enough to hold up, but easy to spread in swoops across the bars.

Step 6: Frost, Decorate, and Slice

Once the bars are completely cooled, slather on the frosting generously and finish with a shower of sprinkles. Use a sharp knife to slice into 16 neat squares — and get ready for some serious cookie joy with every piece you serve!

How to Serve Sugar Cookie Bars

Garnishes

You can’t go wrong with a rainbow cloud of sprinkles, but the fun doesn’t stop there! For extra flair, try edible pearls, colored sanding sugar, or mini chocolate chips. Fresh berries or a dusting of edible glitter can take your Sugar Cookie Bars from birthday-party cute to brunch-chic in seconds.

Side Dishes

Balance the sweetness of your bars with a cool glass of milk, hot tea, or a creamy coffee. A scoop of vanilla or strawberry ice cream on the side creates a full-on dessert plate that’s hard to beat. For parties, pair with fresh fruit salad or a pitcher of lemonade for a colorful and refreshing spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your bars into fun shapes with a cookie cutter, or stack them up on a platter for a bakery-style treat tower. Wrap individual Sugar Cookie Bars in parchment and twine for sweet gift favors, or arrange them in a grid and let guests add their own sprinkles for a DIY decorating station — guaranteed to make any gathering even sweeter.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. The cream cheese in the dough helps them stay moist and soft, so you get that perfect bite even a couple of days later. If your kitchen is particularly warm, consider storing them in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh.

Freezing

These Sugar Cookie Bars freeze surprisingly well! Once frosted, arrange them in a single layer (or with parchment between layers) in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to three months. When you’re ready to enjoy, let them thaw in the refrigerator or on the counter and you’re set.

Reheating

While Sugar Cookie Bars don’t need reheating, you can bring chilled bars up to room temperature before serving for softest results. If you prefer a just-baked feel, give them a very quick 5-10 seconds in the microwave (without any foil or wrapping). This will revive their tenderness without melting off the frosting.

FAQs

Can I double this Sugar Cookie Bars recipe for a larger crowd?

Absolutely! Just double all the ingredients and bake the bars in a 9×13-inch pan. Keep an eye on the cook time — they’ll need a few extra minutes but watch for the same light golden color on top.

Can I make Sugar Cookie Bars without almond extract?

You can definitely leave out the almond extract if you prefer or if there are allergy concerns. The bars will still be deliciously soft and flavorful with just vanilla.

Why did my bars turn out dry?

The most common culprits are overbaking or measuring flour incorrectly (too much flour will sap the moisture). Always check for doneness early and spoon-and-level your flour for best results.

Can I color the frosting with different gel colors?

Of course! Feel free to use any shade of food coloring gel you love — pastels, bold brights, or even swirling multiple colors for tie-dye vibes. Make it your own signature style.

My frosting is too thin/thick — how do I fix it?

If your frosting feels too thin, add a bit more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, a little extra milk stirred in will bring it to spreading perfection.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about a dessert that’s as fun as it is simple, and I can’t recommend Sugar Cookie Bars enough for those moments when you want homemade sweets without the fuss. The combo of fluffy cookie base and billowy frosting is pure comfort — so grab your mixer and make a batch soon. You’ll be hooked!

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

★★★★★

5.3 from 24 reviews

Author: Lila

Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 16 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

Indulge in these delicious Sugar Cookie Bars that are easy to make and perfect for any occasion. Soft and chewy bars topped with a creamy frosting, these treats are sure to be a hit with everyone!

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Mix the dough: In a large bowl, beat together butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cream cheese. Mix well. Slowly add flour and baking powder until a dough forms.
Bake the bars: Spread the dough in the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown. Let cool.

Make the frosting: In a bowl, combine butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Adjust consistency with more milk or sugar.
Decorate and serve: Spread frosting on cooled bars, add sprinkles, and cut into squares. Enjoy!

Notes

You can customize the frosting color with different food coloring gels for various occasions.

Store leftover bars in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 20-25 minutes

Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 220
Sugar: 18g

Sodium: 70mg
Fat: 8g
Saturated Fat: 5g

Unsaturated Fat: 2g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 35g

Fiber: 0.5g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 30mg

Keywords: Sugar Cookie Bars, Dessert, Easy Recipe, Frosting, Baking