Here we present the best sugar cookie bars you’ll ever make, offering a perfectly chewy, buttery base that’s incredibly simple to whip up. This recipe is your go-to for a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s ideal for holidays, parties, or just a sweet treat any day of the week.
Key Ingredients for Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks or 226g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Frosting (optional but highly recommended):
- ½ cup (1 stick or 113g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Sprinkles for decorating (optional)
How to Make Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
This recipe promises an unbelievably easy and utterly delicious sugar cookie experience that’s immensely satisfying. The preparation time is a breezy 15 minutes, with bake time around 25-30 minutes, making it perfect for even a weeknight sweet craving. Its tender crumb and sweet, buttery flavor are guaranteed to impress, offering a delightful shortcut to cookie perfection.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare Your Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This ensures your best sugar cookie bars won’t stick.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer or a bit longer by hand. Ensure the butter is truly softened, not melted, for the best texture.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
- Combine Wet and Dry Mixtures: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be thick.
- Spread the Dough: Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands (lightly floured or greased) to evenly press the dough into the pan, distributing it to the edges. Aim for an even layer so the best sugar cookie bars bake uniformly.
- Bake the Bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
- Cool Completely: Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to remove them. Once slightly cooled, you can use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan onto a cutting board. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting (Optional): While the bars are cooling, if you’re making frosting, beat the softened butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk or cream, and beat until smooth and spreadable. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Frost and Decorate: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Immediately sprinkle with your favorite decorations, like colorful sprinkles, before the frosting sets.
- Cut and Serve: Once the frosting is set, cut the best sugar cookie bars into your desired square or rectangle shapes. Enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
You’ll adore these best sugar cookie bars for their impossibly soft and chewy texture, with that perfect hint of buttery sweetness that defines a classic sugar cookie. Plus, making them at home is incredibly budget-friendly compared to store-bought treats, offering fantastic value for such a delicious reward. The optional creamy frosting and vibrant sprinkles elevate them from simple to spectacular, making them a showstopper at any gathering.
You’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again when a sweet craving strikes or when you need a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s far more satisfying than a basic dropped cookie. Imagine transforming simple pantry staples into these delightful squares that are sure to bring smiles to everyone’s faces – it’s truly a baking triumph waiting to happen. Don’t wait any longer; gather your ingredients and experience the joy of creating the best sugar cookie bars today!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Properly stored, these best sugar cookie bars will stay fresh for up to 5 days at room temperature. Keep them in an airtight container. If they are frosted, it’s best to store them in a single layer to prevent the frosting from smudging. For longer storage, you can freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then in aluminum foil, or place them in a freezer-safe container. To reheat, simply bring them to room temperature. If they are frosted, it’s unlikely they’ll need reheating, but if the frosting is a bit stiff from the cold, a brief moment at room temperature will soften it.
Final Thoughts:
These best sugar cookie bars are a delightful testament to how simple ingredients can create an extraordinary dessert that’s both comforting and celebratory. We encourage you to give them a try; they are sure to become a cherished addition to your baking repertoire.
try also :
- Lentil and Sweet Potato Salad
- Cranberry Brie Bites
- Crispy Sweet Potato Bites
- Matcha Cake Recipe
- find more in Pinterest
Best Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan, or line it with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides to easily lift the bars out later. This ensures your best sugar cookie bars won’t stick.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This will take about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer or a bit longer by hand. Ensure the butter is truly softened, not melted, for the best texture.1 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and well combined.2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures the leavening agent and salt are evenly distributed throughout the dough.2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed (or by hand) until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookies. The dough will be thick.
- Transfer the cookie dough to the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula or your hands (lightly floured or greased) to evenly press the dough into the pan, distributing it to the edges. Aim for an even layer so the best sugar cookie bars bake uniformly.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and the center is set. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out with moist crumbs attached, not wet batter.
- Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 15-20 minutes before attempting to remove them. Once slightly cooled, you can use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire slab out of the pan onto a cutting board. Allow them to cool completely before frosting.
- While the bars are cooling, if you’re making frosting, beat the softened butter in a medium bowl until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk or cream, and beat until smooth and spreadable. Stir in the vanilla extract.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 2 cups powdered sugar, 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Immediately sprinkle with your favorite decorations, like colorful sprinkles, before the frosting sets.sprinkles
- Once the frosting is set, cut the best sugar cookie bars into your desired square or rectangle shapes. Enjoy!