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If you love sugar cookies, but hate the work, these Sugar Cookie Bars are for you!  Sweet, chewy and frosted with the best buttercream frosting, these simple cookie bars are guaranteed to please a picky crowd!

 

 

Whether you are mass-producing goodie plates to take along with your caroling route or you’re trying to supply a huge amount of cookies for a party, this sugar cookie bars recipe is for you!

With all the decadent sweetness of sugar cookies — minus the rolling and cutting and shaping and batch baking — this recipe simplifies one of the classic holiday cookies and makes it perfect for any occasion! 

I have to admit, I’m a huge fan of sugar cookies, and these frosted sugar cookie bars really hit the mark when it comes to simplicity without sacrificing flavor and texture. 

And sugar cookies are so versatile! They really are great for any occasion — birthdays, parties, holidays, cookouts — I really can’t think of a place sugar cookies wouldn’t be acceptable fare, and this recipe makes it so much quicker and easier to prepare! 

 

 

What do I need to make sugar cookie bars?

Making a batch of these sugar cookie bars is easy! You probably already have most, if not all, of the ingredients you need in your pantry. 

• White sugar – combined and creamed with the softened butter, this forms the light and fluffy portion of your cookie dough base. 
• Butter – room temperature; you won’t be able to cream the butter and sugar if the butter is melted, so be sure not to over-soften it if you’re using the microwave. 
• Vegetable oil – oil helps maintain the consistency of a cookie bar. It makes the cookies dense enough to hold their shape when cut, but not so dense as to negatively impact the cookie’s texture. 
• Milk – a touch of milk adds a little extra moisture. 
• Almond extract – I LOVE the flavor of almond extract in my sugar cookies! I think it adds a fantastic subtle complexity. If Almond extract isn’t your thing, you can do half almond, half vanilla. If you have tree nut allergies, substitute all vanilla. 
• Eggs – eggs are the glue that holds everything in this tasty cookie bar recipe together.
• Flour – This is the other half of the cookie dough base. 
• Baking powder – baking powder provides the leavening for you sugar cookie bars. While the creamed butter and sugar and eggs provide a little leavening, the baking powder provides the perfect extra amount needed. 
• Salt – ever accidentally leave the salt out of cookies? Even the littlest amount makes a difference! That’s because salt is a flavor enhancer. A little salt helps all the individual flavors to really SING. 
• Sugar – use a couple extra tablespoons of sugar to sprinkle over the top of the cookie bars before they bake. 

 

 

How to make sugar cookie bars?

There are really three steps to making the best sugar cookie bars.

1. Dough.  You’ll want to whip up your dough.  The dough will not be overly sticky so you’ll be able to press it into place.
2. Bake.  Bake it up.  Pro Tip:  This dough does not sink and fill in gaps.  It will bake exactly as it is in the pan, so make sure to smooth it out as much as possible before baking.
3. Frost.  Frosting is my favorite part.  I’m a HUGE fan of my buttercream frosting and if you simply dye it pink you’ll have one heck of a tasty dessert!

 

 

Can I add frosting?

Absolutely, you can add frosting! In fact, I insist that you do. Use this fantastic Homemade Buttercream Frosting recipe (it’s our favorite!).

 

 

Can I add sprinkles?

YES! I’m almost as insistent on this as I am about frosting. Almost. 

I recommend the long, skinny type of sprinkles — you know, the kind often used for ice cream sundaes? These aren’t too crunchy, so they won’t send a shockwave through your jaw when you bite down on them (not to mention distract from the soft, chewy sweetness that are these sugar cookie bars). They also maintain their shape and won’t bleed color all through your frosting. 

Other sprinkle options are the colored sugar granules, but these will eventually bleed into the buttercream frosting … but they provide nice color! 

 

 

How long do Sugar Cookie Bars last?

The unfrosted cookie bars themselves can last up to a week in an airtight container, but dry out and get crunchy after about 3 days at room temperature. 

Once the cookies are frosted, you’re dealing with the buttercream timeline, which is slightly reduced. At room temperature, frosted sugar cookies are good in an airtight container for a day or two. After that, you’ll want to store frosted cookies in the fridge for up to a week (though good luck getting these tasty little morsels to last that long!). 

 

 

Can you freeze frosted sugar cookie bars?

Yes, you can freeze these frosted sugar cookie bars! Buttercream frosting does great in the freezer and lasts up to 3 months if stored and frozen properly. Freeze leftover frosted cookies in a single layer, or separate layers with waxed or parchment paper. Cookies can be frozen for up to 3 months! 

To thaw, simply remove the cookies from the freezer and set out at room temperature for about 20 minutes. I actually enjoy eating ice-cold cookies and brownies; it’s almost like an ice cream sandwich to me! 

 

 

More Dessert Bar Recipes You’ll Love…

• Cranberry Meringue
• Scotcahroos
• Strawberry Crumb Bars
• Peach Bars
• Raspberry Almond Bars
• Banana Bars
• Turtle Bars
• Cranberry Bars
• Coconut Lime Bars
• Blackberry Bars
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Lemon Creme Bars
• Maple Pecan Bars

 

 

When it comes to mass producing a delicious dessert for a crowd, these chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with Buttercream Frosting are always a hit!  Simple to make and can be any color you wish!

 

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