Dessert

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

ByLily Cross October 24, 2025October 24, 2025

Introduction

These Sugar Cookie Bars combine the soft, buttery texture of classic sugar cookies with a luscious, sweet frosting. Perfect for sharing at parties or enjoying as a comforting treat, they offer a delightful twist on a beloved favorite.

A close-up of two stacked dessert squares, each with two layers: a bottom layer of dense, tan cookie dough speckled with colorful sprinkles, textured with crumbs and bits of color; and a thick, smooth top layer of soft pink frosting adorned with small, multicolored round sprinkles, sitting on a piece of parchment paper over a white marbled surface. The edges of the squares are neat and sharp, showing the clear separation between the cookie and frosting layers. In the background, more of the same square desserts are softly blurred. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
3/4 cup sugar
1 whole egg
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. almond extract
3 Tbsp. cream cheese, softened
1 tsp. baking powder
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup butter, softened (for frosting)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (for frosting)
Pink food coloring gel (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
Step 2: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese, mixing until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Step 3: Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the mixture until a thick cookie dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the texture tender.
Step 4: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set and lightly golden on top. Let cool for a few minutes.
Step 5: While the bars cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring gel if using. Adjust with more milk or powdered sugar to reach desired consistency.
Step 6: Once the bars are cooled, spread the frosting generously over the top. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Tips & Variations

For a dairy-free option, substitute vegan butter and non-dairy cream cheese in the recipe.
Add a pinch of cinnamon or lemon zest to the dough for a subtle flavor twist.
Use different food coloring gels to create fun frosting colors for holidays or celebrations.
Chilling the dough briefly before baking can help achieve a thicker, chewier texture.

Storage

Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week. Bring bars to room temperature before serving, or warm them slightly in the microwave for a soft, fresh-from-the-oven feel.

How to Serve

Two square pieces of dessert stacked on each other are shown on crinkled parchment paper over a white marbled surface. Each piece has two layers: the bottom layer is a thick, cookie-like base with a light yellow color speckled with colorful bits of sprinkles inside, and the top layer is a fluffy, smooth pink frosting topped with small, round, multicolored sprinkles. The texture of the frosting is soft and airy, contrasting with the crumbly cookie base. In the background, more square pieces of the same dessert are visible but out of focus. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, salted butter can be used, but reduce any additional salt in the recipe if you add it. The frosting should balance the sweetness without extra salt.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

To reduce sweetness, use slightly less powdered sugar and increase the butter or cream cheese base for a richer flavor. You can also experiment with adding a bit of lemon juice for a tangy contrast.