Sweet Slice of Paradise: Easy Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Baking soft sugar cookie bars brings pure joy to any kitchen.

These delightful sugar cookie bars pack a sweet punch of comfort and nostalgia.

Layers of buttery goodness melt in your mouth with each delectable bite.

The simple ingredients create a classic treat that sparks childhood memories.

Crumbly edges and a tender center make these bars irresistible to anyone with a sweet tooth.

Crafted with love, this recipe promises to become a staple in your dessert rotation.

You’ll want to share these heavenly bars with everyone you know.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 298 kcal

Servings: 16

Ingredient List for Sugar Cookie Bars

• Butter: Provides rich, creamy flavor and helps create tender texture with smooth consistency.
• Sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps create golden, crisp edges during baking.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients together, add moisture, and contribute to soft, chewy structure.

• All-Purpose Flour: Creates foundational structure and ensures classic sugar cookie texture.
• Baking Powder: Helps bars rise and become light, preventing dense and heavy result.
• Salt: Enhances overall flavor and balances sweetness of the cookie bars.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds deep, warm aromatic flavor and complements sweet base of cookie bars.

What You Need to Bake Perfect Sugar Cookie Bars

• Large mixing bowl: Essential for creaming butter and sugar, mixing wet ingredients.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• 9×13-inch baking dish: Key for creating even cookie bars.
• Spatula: Helps spread dough evenly and smooth the surface.
• Electric mixer or hand mixer: Useful for creaming butter and sugar efficiently.
• Measuring cups and spoons: Precise for accurate ingredient amounts.
• Parchment paper (optional): Makes removing bars easier and prevents sticking.

How to Prepare Soft and Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

• Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350F and prep a 9×13 pan with a quick spray or parchment paper lining.

• Whip Up the Base

Blend softened butter and sugar until they become a fluffy cloud. Splash in eggs and vanilla, mixing until everything looks smooth and happy.

• Mix Dry Ingredients

In another bowl, gently combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly fold these dry ingredients into your buttery mixture, stirring just until everything comes together.

• Spread the Love

Nudge the dough into your prepared pan, using gentle hands or a spatula to create an even, dreamy surface.

• Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Watch for golden edges but keep the center soft and tender. Let the bars cool completely right in the pan for maximum deliciousness.

Helpful Tips to Make Sugar Cookie Bars Extra Flavorful

• For ultra-soft bars, remove from oven when edges are barely golden and center looks slightly underbaked, as they'll continue cooking while cooling.
• Add orange or almond extract alongside vanilla for a delightful subtle twist that elevates the classic sugar cookie taste.
• These bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months when wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and stored in an airtight container.
• Swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend to make these bars suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
• Once cooled, top with simple buttercream frosting or colorful sprinkles to transform these bars into festive treats perfect for holidays or celebrations.

Serving Ideas for Colorful Sugar Cookie Bars

• Sweet Celebration Platter: Arrange bars on a festive cake stand with colorful sprinkles scattered around, perfect for birthdays or special gatherings.
• Afternoon Tea Companion: Serve alongside hot tea or coffee, cut into elegant diamond or triangle shapes for a sophisticated dessert experience.
• Dessert Buffet Centerpiece: Create a stunning display by layering bars on tiered platters, mixing with other cookies and adding fresh berries for visual appeal.
• Kids' Snack Time Fun: Cut into fun shapes using cookie cutters, pair with cold milk, and watch children's eyes light up with excitement during after-school treats.

How to Store Sugar Cookie Bars for Freshness

• Allow bars to cool entirely in the baking pan for at least 1-2 hours, preventing crumbling and ensuring clean, crisp cuts.
• Store cooled bars in an airtight container between layers of wax paper, keeping them fresh for 5-7 days in the refrigerator.
• Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe containers. Frozen sugar cookie bars maintain quality for up to 3 months when sealed properly.
• Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 3-4 days, placing a piece of bread inside to maintain moisture and softness.

FAQs

• Can I make these sugar cookie bars without eggs?

Yes, you can substitute eggs with 1/4 cup of applesauce or a commercial egg replacer to keep the bars moist and binding.

• How do I know when the sugar cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. They should appear slightly soft in the middle when you remove them from the oven, as they’ll continue cooking while cooling.

• Can I use different extracts instead of vanilla?

Absolutely! Almond extract, lemon extract, or even peppermint extract can create unique flavor variations while maintaining the classic sugar cookie texture.

• Is it necessary to use parchment paper when baking these bars?

While not mandatory, parchment paper makes removing and cutting the bars much easier. If you don’t have it, generously grease the baking dish to prevent sticking.

Heavenly Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.5 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

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Description

Classic sugar cookie bars offer a delightful twist on traditional cookies, delivering sweet, buttery goodness in one convenient pan. Rich layers of vanilla and butter create a memorable treat that delights families and friends.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 large eggs
• 2 ½ cups (310 grams / 11 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (227 grams / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 grams / 7 oz) granulated sugar
• 1 ½ tsps vanilla extract
• ½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (113 grams / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (360 grams / 12 oz) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps (30 milliliters / 1 fl oz) milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

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Instructions

1. Preparation: Ignite the oven to 350F (175C), draping a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or a delicate butter layer.
2. Creaming: Whisk butter and sugar until voluminous and pale, then integrate eggs and vanilla, creating a silky, unified mixture.
3. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Sift flour, baking powder, and salt together, then gently fold into the wet ingredients, maintaining a light touch to preserve the dough’s tender structure.
4. Pan Distribution: Seamlessly spread the dough across the prepared pan, crafting an even, smooth canvas with gentle fingertip pressure.
5. Baking Transformation: Nestle the pan into the heated oven, allowing the bars to bake for 18-20 minutes. Monitor for golden-kissed edges and a soft, pillowy center – the quintessential indicator of perfect doneness.
6. Cooling Finale: Allow the baked creation to rest and cool completely within the pan, enabling it to set into a delectable, slice-ready confection.

Notes

• Prevent Overmixing: Stop stirring the dough as soon as dry ingredients blend with wet ingredients to maintain a tender, soft texture without developing tough gluten.
• Precise Baking Timing: Check bars at 18 minutes to avoid overbaking; a slightly soft center ensures moist, chewy cookies with golden edges.
• Temperature Matters: Use room temperature butter and eggs for smoother, more even mixing that creates a consistent, fluffy cookie base.
• Customize Texture: Add 1-2 tablespoons of cornstarch to create an extra soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture that makes these bars incredibly delicate.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 299
• Sugar: 22 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 8 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 41 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 36 mg