Best Sugar Cookie Bars are the quintessential treat for any occasion, offering a delightful simplicity that’s surprisingly satisfying. This recipe delivers perfectly soft, chewy bars with a hint of classic sugar cookie flavor, making them an invaluable addition to your baking repertoire for easy entertaining or a simple sweet craving.
Key Ingredients for Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- For the Frosting:
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- ¼ cup milk (or heavy cream for richer frosting)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Optional: Sprinkles, food coloring
How to Make Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
Whip up pure happiness with these incredibly easy Best Sugar Cookie Bars. In just under 30 minutes of active prep time, you’ll have a tray of tender, sweet delights that practically melt in your mouth. Their simple ingredient list and straightforward construction make them a perfect project for bakers of all skill levels, promising a wonderfully satisfying result without the fuss of individual cookies.
Step-by-Step Instructions:
- Preheat and Prepare: 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 for easy lifting.
- Cream the Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.
- Press into Pan: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. You can use a lightly greased spatula or your hands to press it into a uniform layer.
- Bake: Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool: Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for the frosting to set properly.
- Make the Frosting: While the bars cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk (or cream), mixing until smooth and spreadable. Stir in the vanilla extract. If using, add food coloring and mix well.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
- Decorate (Optional): Immediately sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles, or add other desired decorations before the frosting sets.
- Cut and Serve: Cut the cooled, frosted sugar cookie bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy!
Why You’ll Love This Best Sugar Cookie Bars:
You’ll adore these Best Sugar Cookie Bars for their delightfully soft and chewy texture, perfectly capturing that classic sugar cookie taste in a convenient bar form. Unlike intricate cut-out cookies, these bars are a breeze to make, offering a budget-friendly way to satisfy sweet cravings without breaking the bank, especially when you consider the cost of store-bought treats. The customizable frosting, whether simple and classic or adorned with vibrant sprinkles, adds an extra layer of joy and elegance, elevating these humble bars into something truly special, making them a crowd-pleasing alternative to brownies or sheet cakes.
Ready to bake up some pure happiness? These Best Sugar Cookie Bars are calling your name. They’re the perfect sweet solution for potlucks, holidays, or just because. Give them a try and discover how easy it is to create a memorable treat that everyone will rave about!
Storing and Reheating Tips:
Store leftover Best Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If they are frosted, ensure the frosting has set completely before stacking or covering to prevent smudging. For longer storage, you can refrigerate the bars for up to a week; they may become slightly firmer but will soften at room temperature. To freeze, place the unfrosted bars or frosted bars (ensure frosting is fully set) in a single layer on a baking sheet until frozen, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag, where they can be kept for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator if frozen. Reheating is generally not necessary as they are best served at room temperature, but if you prefer a slightly softer texture, you can warm individual bars very briefly in a microwave on low power for about 5-10 seconds.
Final Thoughts:
These Best Sugar Cookie Bars are a testament to the magic of simple ingredients and straightforward baking. They are incredibly forgiving, wonderfully versatile, and guaranteed to bring smiles. Give this recipe a try; you’ll be delighted with the results!
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 for easy lifting.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes with an electric mixer.1 cup unsalted butter, softened, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough.2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, ½ teaspoon salt
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. You can use a lightly greased spatula or your hands to press it into a uniform layer.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial for the frosting to set properly.
- While the bars cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, alternating with the milk (or cream), mixing until smooth and spreadable. Stir in the vanilla extract. If using, add food coloring and mix well.½ cup unsalted butter, softened, 3 cups powdered sugar, ¼ cup milk (or heavy cream for richer frosting), 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Once the bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
- Immediately sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles, or add other desired decorations before the frosting sets.Sprinkles, food coloring
- Cut the cooled, frosted sugar cookie bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy!