Posted Dec 08, 2023 Everyone loves a good cut-out sugar cookie recipe, however these sugar cookie bars are just as delicious and even easier to make because there is no rolling or cutting required! They are rich in flavor, perfectly sweet and deliciously chewy. Plus, they’re quick and easy to make because there is no chilling required. Top them with the homemade buttercream frosting (in the recipe card or linked here), your favorite sprinkles, or eat them plain!
Sugar Cookie Bars: Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour. pastry flour, bread flour and all-purpose gluten-free flour are all possible substitutions. Salted butter. Unsalted butter works well in place of salted butter. Granulated sugar. use white sugar or organic cane sugar for best results. Almond extract. optional but recommended- can be omitted. Eggs. Make sure your eggs are fresh and at room temperature. To get them to room temperature fast, put them in a bowl of warm water. Vanilla Buttercream Frosting: See this post on possible substitutions (note: we use half of this recipe)
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
Begin by preheating your oven to 350 degrees F. Then, line an 8×8” baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease, set aside. Next, combine the combine flour, baking powder, and sea salt in a medium bowl, then set it aside. Then, in the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl with a hand mixer), beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 1 minute). Next, add the egg, vanilla extract and almond extract beat until combined. Then, add the flour mixture and beat until the dough is smooth. Next, press the dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the sugar cookie bars for 25 minutes, or until the bars are set and lightly browned on top. Then, let the bars cool completely before frosting.
Make the Frosting
Once the bars have finished cooling, make the frosting (see this Vanilla Buttercream Frosting post for more details) In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, or in a large bowl with a handheld mixer, beat the butter, vanilla and sea salt until smooth. Then, add 1 cup powdered sugar and beat until combined. Then, add the milk and the remaining powdered sugar), and beat until smooth.
Assemble the Sugar Cookie Bars
Once the sugar cookie bars are completely cooled, remove them from the baking pan by lifting out the parchment paper. Then, remove the parchment paper and transfer the bars to a cutting board. Spread the frosting on the cooled bars. Here are some delicious frosting suggestions:
Obviously, this Vanilla Buttercream or if you like frosting with shortening, try this vanilla frosting. Or, try this chocolate buttercream frosting. Cream cheese frosting is a delicious choice. For a fruity option, try either this strawberry buttercream or lemon frosting.
If desired, evenly distribute sprinkles over the top of the bars. Then, chill in the refrigerator until the frosting is set (about 1 hour).
Serve
Once the frosting has hardened, cut the sugar cookie bars into squares and serve at room temperature.
Store/Freeze
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Freeze sugar cookie bars in an even layer in an airtight container for up to 2 months. If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
