Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars (Print Version)
Buttery, soft sugar cookie bars topped with creamy colorful frosting—perfect for parties and easy to make in under an hour.
# What You Need:
→ Cookie Bars
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 large egg yolk
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 cup whole milk
→ Frosting
10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
13 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
14 - Food coloring (optional)
15 - Sprinkles (optional)
# Directions:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
04 - Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Beat until fully incorporated and smooth.
05 - With the mixer on low speed, alternately add the flour mixture and whole milk to the wet ingredients, beginning and ending with the flour. Mix until just combined and avoid overmixing.
06 - Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan and spread it evenly. Use an offset spatula to smooth the top surface.
07 - Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake.
08 - Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan set on a wire rack before adding frosting.
09 - Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
10 - Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Top with sprinkles if using. Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang and cut into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- You get all the flavor and joy of decorated sugar cookies without the chilling, rolling, and cookie cutter chaos.
- The frosting whips up in minutes and spreads like a dream, so even novice bakers can make something gorgeous.
- One pan feeds a crowd, making these the easiest potluck or party dessert you will ever bring.
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy here because the bars continue cooking in the hot pan after you pull them out, so pull them when the center still looks slightly underdone.
- Frosting warm bars is the most common mistake and will result in a runny mess, so patience is genuinely the hardest ingredient.
03 -
- The extra egg yolk is the secret to that chewy, bakery style texture so never skip it.
- If your dough feels too sticky to spread, wet your offset spatula with warm water and it will glide right through.