Sugar cookie bars offer a delectable twist on the timeless charm of traditional sugar cookies.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply craving a sweet treat, these bars deliver the same beloved flavor in a convenient and shareable form.
From their soft, chewy texture to the endless possibilities for customization, sugar cookie bars are a must-have addition to your baking repertoire.
Unlike regular sugar cookies, there’s no need for rolling and cutting to make sugar cookie bars, saving not only time but also ensures a consistent thickness for even baking.
The great thing about sugar cookie bars is how versatile they are. Experiment with different flavors, decorations from chocolate chips to colorful sprinkles or try different frostings such as vanilla buttercream frosting or chocolate ganache.
Personalize your bars to suit any theme or occasion. Simple sugar cookie bars are the perfect dessert for parties, gatherings, or even as thoughtful gifts.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ c granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 ¼ c all purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ c butter, softened
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 c powdered sugar
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease the baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line the prepared pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
In a bowl, cream butter with sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy with a hand mixer.
For best results, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. This will help create a smooth and creamy base for the cookie dough.
Add the eggs and vanilla until creamy.
In another bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix with a fork or whisk to break up any lumps.
Add the dry ingredients slowly (about ½ cup at a time) into the wet ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated before adding more. Continue until all ingredients are mixed.
Using a spatula or a knife, spread the batter on a 9 x 13” baking sheet.
When pressing the dough into the prepared baking pan, use your hands or the back of a spatula to ensure an even layer. This will help the bars bake evenly.
Place in the oven for 20-22 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place on a cooling rack and allow to completely come to room temperature.
To make the cream cheese frosting recipe, cream the butter and cream cheese with the vanilla until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until frosting is smooth and without lumps.
Once bars are completely cooled off, spread the frosting over the top in an even layer and add desired sprinkles!
If you find that your bars are a bit too soft to cut cleanly, you can chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing.
Store frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to store them for a longer period, consider refrigerating them, especially if your frosting contains butter.
More Favorite Cookie Recipes
Experiment with Flavors & Colors
While a traditional sugar cookie base has a vanilla flavor, you can experiment by adding other extracts like almond extract, lemon, or even spices like cinnamon for a unique twist on your easy sugar cookie bars.
You can use food coloring to tint the frosting any color you like. Think pink frosting for Valentine’s Day or even a baby shower. Or use red food coloring to make Christmas sugar cookie bars.
Gel food coloring is a good option as it won’t thin out the frosting.
Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe FAQs
Cookie bar recipes are a delicious dessert treat that’s based on the flavors and textures of traditional cookies but just in bar form. They are made in a larger baking pan and cut into bars or squares, rather than being shaped and rolled like individual cookies.
Yes, you can freeze sugar cookie bars. To do so, make sure they are completely cooled and frosted. Place them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, and then place them in the freezer. Thaw the bars in the refrigerator before serving.
Yes, you can make sugar cookie bars in advance. Baked and frosted bars can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you need to make them further in advance, consider refrigerating or freezing them.
Absolutely! If you’re looking to save time, you can use store-bought frosting.
To get clean cuts, use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. If the bars are too soft, refrigerate them for a short while to firm up slightly before cutting.
Ingredients
- ½ c unsalted butter, softened
- 4 oz cream cheese, softened
- ¾ c granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 ¼ c all purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ c butter–softened
- 2 oz cream cheese–softened
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
- 2 c powdered sugar
Instructions
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
Grease the baking pan with nonstick cooking spray, then line the prepared pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides for easy lifting.
In a bowl, cream butter with sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy with a hand mixer.
For best results, make sure your butter is softened to room temperature before creaming it with the sugar. This will help create a smooth and creamy base for the cookie dough.
Add the eggs and vanilla until creamy.
In another bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix with a fork or whisk to break up any lumps.
Add the dry ingredients slowly (about ½ cup at a time) into the wet ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated before adding more. Continue until all ingredients are mixed.
Using a spatula or a knife, spread the batter on a 9 x 13” baking sheet.
When pressing the dough into the prepared baking pan, use your hands or the back of a spatula to ensure an even layer. This will help the bars bake evenly.
and place in the oven for 20-22 minutes until golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.
Place on a cooling rack and allow to completely come to room temperature.
To make the cream cheese frosting recipe, cream the butter and cream cheese with the vanilla until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until frosting is smooth and without lumps.
Once bars are completely cooled off, spread the frosting over the top in an even layer and add desired sprinkles!
If you find that your bars are a bit too soft to cut cleanly, you can chill them in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes before slicing.
Store frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for a few days. If you want to store them for a longer period, consider refrigerating them, especially if your frosting contains butter.