These easy sugar cookie bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a smooth creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles. I love how they bake up tender and cake-like, making them a simple dessert that feels festive enough for parties, holidays, or any day I want a sweet homemade treat.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
I love this recipe because it gives me all the flavor of classic sugar cookies without the extra work of chilling, rolling, and cutting dough. The bars come together in one pan, which makes the process quicker and less messy. I also like how soft the texture stays under the sweet frosting, and the sprinkles make them easy to customize for birthdays, holidays, or casual family desserts.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Food coloring, optional
Sprinkles, optional
Directions
I preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking pan.
In a medium bowl, I whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
In a large mixing bowl, I cream together the butter and granulated sugar until blended.
I mix in the eggs one at a time, then blend in the vanilla extract and almond extract.
I gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
I spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the surface.
I bake the bars for 14 to 16 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden.
I remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely.
In a bowl, I beat the powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the frosting is light and fluffy. I add food coloring if I want a festive look.
I spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars and decorate with sprinkles.
I cut the bars into squares and serve.
Servings and timing
I get 24 servings from this recipe, which makes it a great choice when I need a dessert for a group. The prep time is 20 minutes, the cooking time is 15 minutes, and the total time comes to 35 minutes. Each bar has about 242 calories.
Variations
I like changing these sugar cookie bars in simple ways depending on the occasion. I can tint the frosting pink, red, green, or pastel shades to match a holiday or party theme. I also like swapping the sprinkles for seasonal shapes or colors. When I want a different flavor, I sometimes add a little lemon extract instead of almond extract for a brighter taste. For a richer finish, I can top the bars with extra buttercream or add a light layer of jam under the frosting.
Storage/Reheating
I store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days if I want the frosting to stay extra fresh. If I stack them, I place parchment paper between the layers so the frosting stays neat. I usually serve them at room temperature because the texture is softer and the frosting is creamier that way. I do not usually reheat frosted bars, but I let chilled bars sit out for a few minutes before serving.
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FAQs
Can I make these sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes, I can make them a day in advance and keep them covered until I am ready to serve. I find that they stay soft and flavorful, which makes them perfect for parties and holiday baking.
Can I skip the almond extract?
Yes, I can leave it out if I prefer a more classic vanilla flavor. The bars will still taste delicious and the vanilla will stand out more clearly.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
I look for a top that is set and just lightly golden. I try not to overbake them because I want the bars to stay soft and tender.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead?
Yes, I can use store-bought frosting when I need a faster option. I still like homemade frosting best because it gives the bars a fresher and creamier finish.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, I can freeze them, although I usually get the best texture by freezing the unfrosted bars first. Once they are fully cooled, I wrap them well and freeze them for up to 2 months, then thaw and frost them before serving.
Conclusion
I love how these easy sugar cookie bars deliver all the charm of sugar cookies in a much simpler form. They are soft, buttery, colorful, and easy to share, which makes them one of my favorite desserts for gatherings and celebrations. When I want a dependable sweet treat that looks cheerful and tastes comforting, I always find these bars a great choice.
📖 Recipe:
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Easy Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars baked in a single pan and topped with a smooth creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles. These easy bars deliver the classic flavor of sugar cookies without the extra work of rolling and cutting dough.
Ingredients
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp cornstarch
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
2 1/4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
2 to 3 tbsp heavy cream
1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
Food coloring, optional
Sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and butter a 9×13-inch baking pan.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until blended and smooth.
- Mix in the eggs one at a time, then blend in the vanilla extract and almond extract.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix just until combined.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and smooth the surface.
- Bake for 14 to 16 minutes, until the top is set and lightly golden.
- Remove the pan from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely.
- In a bowl, beat the powdered sugar, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars and decorate with sprinkles.
- Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
You can skip the almond extract for a classic vanilla flavor.
Tint the frosting with food coloring to match holidays or party themes.
Swap almond extract for lemon extract for a brighter flavor variation.
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
Place parchment paper between layers if stacking to keep the frosting neat.
For freezing, wrap unfrosted bars tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 242 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 11 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 34 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
