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Sugar Cookie Bars: A Sweet and Soft Treat for Every Occasion

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Sugar cookie bars combine the beloved flavor of classic sugar cookies with the simplicity of a bar form. These thick, soft, and chewy bars are the perfect treat when you want all the sweetness of a sugar cookie without the time and effort of rolling out dough and cutting it into shapes. Topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles, these bars are an indulgent dessert that’s just as fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re planning a party, celebrating a holiday, or just craving a sweet bite, sugar cookie bars are sure to please everyone at the table. From the first bite to the last, these bars provide a satisfying experience that makes them ideal for any occasion.

Ingredients

Ingredients for the Sugar Cookie Bars:

  • Butter (1/2 cup, softened): Butter is the key fat in this recipe and plays a crucial role in giving the bars their rich, smooth texture. It helps the dough hold together while providing a delicious flavor base.
  • Sugar (3/4 cup): The sugar provides sweetness to the dough and contributes to the cookies’ slightly crispy edges. The combination of butter and sugar is what creates that melt-in-your-mouth sweetness in every bite.
  • Egg (1 whole): The egg serves as a binding agent, helping to hold the dough together and providing structure. The egg also adds richness and moisture, making the bars soft and chewy.
  • Vanilla extract (1 tsp): This extract is a classic ingredient in sugar cookies. Its sweet, aromatic flavor enhances the overall taste of the bars, giving them a comforting and familiar taste.
  • Almond extract (1/2 tsp): Almond extract adds a subtle nutty flavor, complementing the vanilla and making the sugar cookie bars more complex in taste. You can also experiment with other extracts, like lemon or coconut, if you prefer a different flavor profile.
  • Cream cheese (3 tablespoons, softened): Cream cheese helps to create a softer, more delicate texture for the bars. It also adds a slight tanginess that balances out the sweetness of the sugar.
  • Baking powder (1 tsp): Baking powder is essential for providing lift to the bars, making them soft and fluffy instead of dense or heavy. It ensures the cookies bake evenly and rise perfectly.
  • All-purpose flour (2 cups): The flour is the primary dry ingredient that gives structure to the dough. It provides the necessary texture and consistency to hold the dough together and shape the bars.

Ingredients for the Sugar Cookie Frosting:

  • Butter (1/4 cup, softened): Just like in the dough, butter plays a key role in making the frosting smooth and creamy. It helps the frosting spread easily over the bars and gives it a rich, buttery flavor.
  • Powdered sugar (2 cups): Powdered sugar is crucial for achieving a smooth, velvety frosting. It dissolves easily into the butter, creating a frosting that’s not grainy or too thick.
  • Milk (2 tablespoons): The milk helps thin out the frosting, making it easy to spread. It also adds a touch of creaminess to balance out the sweetness.
  • Vanilla extract (1/2 tsp): Vanilla extract is added to the frosting for flavor. It complements the vanilla in the cookie bars and enhances the overall taste.
  • Pink food coloring gel (optional): You can use food coloring to tint the frosting for a fun pop of color. This is especially great for special occasions like Valentine’s Day or birthdays.
  • Sprinkles (optional): Sprinkles add texture and a burst of color to the frosting, making the bars even more visually appealing. Choose sprinkles that match the occasion or season, such as heart-shaped sprinkles for Valentine’s Day or rainbow sprinkles for a fun celebration.

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven and prepare the pan: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This will prevent the bars from sticking to the pan and make it easier to remove them once they’re baked.
  • Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a hand or stand mixer to beat together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 2-3 minutes. The texture should be smooth, with no lumps of butter remaining. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed to ensure the butter and sugar are fully incorporated.
  • Add the wet ingredients: Next, add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese to the bowl. Beat until everything is combined and the mixture is smooth. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl to make sure all ingredients are evenly mixed.
  • Incorporate the dry ingredients: Slowly add the flour and baking powder to the wet ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together and forms a thick cookie dough. Avoid overmixing, as this can lead to dense bars. The dough should be soft but not too sticky.
  • Spread the dough into the pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly across the bottom with a spatula. Make sure the dough is level and covers the entire surface of the pan. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until the top is light golden brown. You can check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center of the bars—if it comes out clean, the bars are done.
  • Prepare the frosting: While the cookie bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until the frosting is smooth and creamy. If desired, add a few drops of pink food coloring gel to achieve a festive color. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
  • Frost the cookie bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled to room temperature, spread the frosting evenly over the top using a spatula. Be generous with the frosting to cover every corner of the bars. Top with sprinkles to add a fun, colorful touch.
  • Cut and serve: Once the frosting is set, cut the sugar cookie bars into 16 smaller squares or 9 larger ones, depending on your preference. Serve and enjoy! These bars are perfect for sharing with friends and family or storing for later.

Notes

  • Holiday-themed frosting and sprinkles: You can easily make these bars for any holiday by changing the color of the frosting and the sprinkles. For Christmas, use red and green sprinkles, or for Halloween, use orange and black sprinkles.
  • Add-ins for extra flavor: Try mixing mini chocolate chips, crushed candy canes, or chopped nuts into the dough for added flavor and texture.
  • Switch up the frosting: You can swap the vanilla frosting for other flavors like cream cheese frosting or lemon frosting to add variety to your bars.

Find it online: https://susanrecipes.com/sugar-cookie-bars-a-sweet-and-soft-treat-for-every-occasion/