Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Looking for an easy and delicious dessert to satisfy your sweet tooth? Look no further than these frosted sugar cookie bars! Perfect for parties, holidays, or just a treat at home, these bars are soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy layer of frosting that melts in your mouth. Follow this simple recipe, and you’ll have a batch of irresistible sugar cookie bars that everyone will love. Read on to discover how to make this delectable dessert, along with tips, variations, and answers to common questions!

What are Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars?
Frosted sugar cookie bars are essentially a simplified version of traditional sugar cookies, but instead of rolling out individual cookies, the dough is baked in a single layer like a bar. Once baked, these soft and chewy cookie bars are topped with a smooth, sweet frosting. Think of them as a cross between a sugar cookie and a frosted sheet cake! They offer all the same flavors you love in sugar cookies but with less effort and mess. Plus, they’re incredibly versatile—perfect for customizing with different frosting colors, sprinkles, or decorations for any occasion.

Ingredients List for Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
To make these delicious frosted sugar cookie bars, you’ll need the following ingredients:

For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg yolk (for extra richness)
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional but adds great flavor)
For the Frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
2 ½ cups powdered sugar
1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
2-3 tablespoon heavy cream or milk (to adjust consistency)
Food coloring (optional, for decorating)
Sprinkles (optional, for an extra festive touch)
Substitutions and Variations
If you’re missing an ingredient or want to change things up, don’t worry! There are plenty of ways to modify this frosted sugar cookie bar recipe:

Gluten-Free Version: Swap out the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that works as a 1:1 substitute.
Dairy-Free Option: Replace the butter in both the cookie bars and frosting with a vegan butter substitute, and use almond milk or another dairy-free milk instead of cream.
Almond-Free: If you don’t like or can’t use almond extract, simply leave it out or substitute it with more vanilla extract.
Frosting Flavors: You can switch up the frosting flavor by adding a hint of lemon or orange zest, or even a touch of peppermint extract for a seasonal twist.
Colorful Fun: For a festive look, use different food colorings in the frosting and top with seasonal sprinkles for any occasion, whether it's Christmas, Easter, or a birthday.
Step-by-Step Cooking Instructions

Here’s how to create the perfect batch of frosted sugar cookie bars:

Step 1: Preheat Your Oven and Prepare the Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. This will make it easy to lift the cookie bars out of the pan once they’re baked.

Step 2: Combine the Dry Ingredients
In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set the dry ingredients aside for later.

Step 3: Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat until well combined, making sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.

Step 5: Mix in the Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookie bars.

Step 6: Spread the Dough in the Pan
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. It may be a bit sticky, so you can use a spatula or slightly dampen your hands to help spread it smoothly.

Step 7: Bake
Bake the cookie bars in the preheated oven for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. You want them to stay soft, so don’t overbake.

Step 8: Cool Completely
Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. If you frost them while warm, the frosting may melt and become runny.

How to Cook Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars: A Step-by-Step Guide
Here’s a recap of the cooking process in a few easy-to-follow steps:

Prep the oven and pan: Preheat the oven and line your pan.
Mix dry ingredients: Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
Cream butter and sugar: Beat until fluffy for that perfect texture.
Add eggs and flavorings: Incorporate the eggs and extracts for rich flavor.
Combine everything: Add the dry ingredients to the wet, being careful not to overmix.
Bake: Spread the dough in the pan and bake until lightly golden.
Cool: Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Overbaking: The key to soft and chewy cookie bars is not to overbake them. Keep an eye on the edges, and once they start turning golden, take them out.
Not Cooling Before Frosting: If you’re too eager and frost the bars before they’re completely cooled, the frosting will melt and lose its consistency.
Overmixing the Dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars. Mix until just combined for the best texture.
Serving and Presentation Tips
Once your frosted sugar cookie bars are ready, serving and presenting them beautifully is the cherry on top. Here are some tips:

Cut Clean Squares: Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into neat squares. For extra clean cuts, wipe the knife between each cut or run it under hot water.
Decorate with Sprinkles: Sprinkles can add a fun, festive touch. Choose seasonal colors or themed sprinkles for holidays or events.
Add a Drizzle: For an extra layer of sweetness, drizzle some melted white chocolate or candy melts over the frosted bars.
How to Serve Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
These cookie bars are perfect for any occasion, from birthdays to casual get-togethers. They can be served as-is, or paired with a scoop of ice cream for an extra indulgent dessert. For parties, consider serving them on a tiered dessert stand or laying them out on a platter with other treats like brownies or cupcakes.

Presentation Ideas for Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Holiday-Themed Frosting: Use food coloring to create festive frosting. Red and green for Christmas, pastels for Easter, or orange and black for Halloween.
Personalized Messages: Use a piping bag to write personalized messages on each bar, such as "Happy Birthday" or "Congrats!"
Sprinkle Art: Create simple designs like hearts, stars, or initials using sprinkles on top of the frosting.
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe Tips
Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for easier mixing and a better texture.
Don’t Skimp on Frosting: A generous layer of frosting really makes these cookie bars stand out, so don’t be afraid to pile it on.
Chill the Bars: For a firmer texture and easier cutting, you can chill the bars in the fridge for about 30 minutes before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Can I freeze frosted sugar cookie bars? A: Yes! You can freeze them with or without the frosting. If freezing with frosting, freeze them on a tray first, then transfer to an airtight container with wax paper between layers.

Q: How long do these cookie bars stay fresh? A: Stored in an airtight container, they’ll stay fresh for about 3-4 days at room temperature or up to a week in the fridge.

Q: Can I double this recipe? A: Absolutely! You can double the ingredients and bake in a larger pan or use two 9x13-inch pans.

Q: Can I make the dough ahead of time? A: Yes, you can prepare the dough up to a day in advance and store it in the fridge. Just bring it back to room temperature before pressing it into the pan and baking.

Conclusion
These frosted sugar cookie bars are a must-try dessert for any occasion. They’re easy to make, customizable, and simply delicious. Whether you’re making them for a holiday party or just because, everyone will love the soft, chewy texture and sweet frosting on top. Follow the tips and tricks in this guide, and you’ll have the perfect batch every time. So, what are you waiting for? Grab your ingredients and start baking today!

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