Soft sugar cookie bars are the perfect sweet treat for any occasion! These soft, chewy bars topped with a creamy, sweet frosting are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies. This recipe is easy to follow, quick to make, and absolutely irresistible. I’ve been making these soft sugar cookie bars for years, and they’re always a hit with family and friends.
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Why You Will Love This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
These soft sugar cookie bars are a guaranteed crowd pleaser! What’s not to love about a buttery, meltinyourmouth cookie base covered in a luscious frosting? This recipe is especially perfect because it’s so easy and incredibly quick. No need to chill the dough or cut out individual cookies! Simply press the dough into a pan, bake, and frost once cooled.
The comforting flavor of these bars reminds me of childhood holidays and family gettogethers. Plus, the recipe is so versatile you can customize the frosting with different colors and sprinkles for any celebration. These cookie bars are the perfect comfort food, bringing a smile to every who tastes them.
Ingredients Needed for This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Here’s what you’ll need to create these delightful soft sugar cookie bars:
For the Cookie Base:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 cups allpurpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 34 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Sprinkles, for decoration (optional)
How to Make This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Let’s get started making these scrumptious soft sugar cookie bars. Follow these simple steps for a sweet treat everyone will adore!
- Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and lightly flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then stir in the vanilla extract.
- Combine the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Be careful not to overmix!
- Press the dough into the pan: Press the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Bake: Bake for 2025 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool completely: Let the cookie base cool completely in the pan before frosting. This is important to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Make the frosting: While the cookie base is cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add milk and vanilla: Gradually add the milk and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light and fluffy. Add more milk, one tablespoon at a time, if needed to reach your desired consistency.
- Frost the bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Decorate (optional): Sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles or decorations, if desired.
- Cut and serve: Cut the frosted sugar cookie bars into squares and serve. Enjoy!
How to Serve This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
These soft sugar cookie bars are fantastic on their own, but here are a few ideas to elevate your serving experience:
- Serve them with a tall glass of cold milk or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra decadent treat.
- Cut them into smaller squares for parties or gatherings, making them easy to grab and enjoy.
- Pair them with a cup of hot coffee or tea for a cozy afternoon snack.
- Consider adding fresh berries, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of caramel sauce on top for an elegant presentation.
How to Store This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Proper storage can keep your soft sugar cookie bars as fresh and delicious as the day you made them.
- Refrigeration: Store the frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This will keep the frosting from becoming too soft.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted cookie bars for up to 2 months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer safe bag or container. Thaw completely before frosting.
- Reheating: No need to reheat these bars! They are best enjoyed at room temperature or chilled.
- Shelf life: At room temperature, these bars are best consumed within 23 days.
Tips to Make This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Want to make the BEST soft sugar cookie bars ever? Here are a few tips and tricks:
- Don’t overmix the dough: Overmixing can lead to tough cookies. Mix until just combined.
- Use softened butter: Softened butter is key for a smooth and creamy texture in both the cookie base and the frosting.
- Measure flour accurately: Spoon the flour into your measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Avoid scooping directly from the bag, which can pack the flour and result in dry cookies.
- Cool completely before frosting: This will prevent the frosting from melting and creates a cleaner look.
Helpful Notes for This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Here are a few additional notes to ensure your soft sugar cookie bars turn out perfectly every time:
- Vanilla Extract: Use high quality vanilla extract for the best flavor.
- Butter: I used unsalted butter so that I could control the amount of salt in the recipe.
- Baking Pan: A light colored metal baking pan is recommended so you don’t overbake the edges of the cookie.
- Follow us on Pinterest for more delicious recipes and baking inspiration! Be sure to explore other tasty cookie recipes on our site.
- Adjust baking time depending on your oven. Some ovens may require slightly less or more time.
Variation of This Soft Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Looking to add a twist to your soft sugar cookie bars? Here are a few ideas:
- Seasonal Sprinkles: Use themed sprinkles for holidays or special occasions.
- Lemon Zest: Add lemon zest to the frosting for a bright and citrusy flavor.
- Chocolate Chips: Mix chocolate chips into the cookie dough for a chocolatey surprise.
- Nuts: Add chopped nuts to the cookie dough or sprinkle them on top of the frosting for added texture and flavor.
How do I keep my sugar cookie bars soft?
To keep your sugar cookie bars soft, avoid overbaking them. They should be slightly underdone in the center. Also, ensure you’re using enough butter and sour cream in your recipe, as these contribute to moisture.
Can I freeze sugar cookie bars?
Yes, you can freeze sugar cookie bars. Allow them to cool completely after baking, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2-3 months.
What’s the best frosting for sugar cookie bars?
A classic buttercream frosting is a popular choice for sugar cookie bars. It’s sweet, creamy, and complements the soft texture of the bars perfectly. You can add different extracts or food coloring to customize the frosting to your liking.
How can I prevent my sugar cookie bars from becoming too dry?
Prevent your sugar cookie bars from becoming too dry by accurately measuring your ingredients, particularly the flour. Over-measuring flour results in dry cookies. Also, make sure to not overbake them and store in an airtight container after cooling.
Conclusion
These soft sugar cookie bars are sure to become a family favorite! They’re easy to make, incredibly delicious, and perfect for any occasion. Give this recipe a try and let me know what you think in the comments below. I hope you enjoy these perfect soft sugar cookie bars as much as my family does!
Soft Sugar Cookie Bars: Easiest Frosted Recipe EVER
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
Description
Soft and chewy sugar cookie bars topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles! These easy frosted treats are perfect for parties and desserts.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softenedn1 1/2 cups granulated sugarn2 large eggsn1 teaspoon vanilla extractn3 cups allpurpose flourn1 teaspoon baking powdern1/2 teaspoon baking sodan1/4 teaspoon saltnn**For the Frosting:**n1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softenedn3 cups powdered sugarn34 tablespoons milkn1 teaspoon vanilla extractnSprinkles, for decoration (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch pan.nCream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.nBeat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla.nWhisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.nGradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.nPress dough evenly into the prepared pan.nBake for 2025 minutes, or until golden brown.nCool completely in the pan.nCream together butter and powdered sugar for the frosting.nGradually add milk and vanilla, beating until fluffy.nSpread frosting over cooled cookie bars.nSprinkle with sprinkles, if desired.nCut into squares and serve.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
Keywords: sugar cookie, cookie bars, frosted, easy dessert