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- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour - 1 teaspoon baking powder - ½ teaspoon baking soda - ½ teaspoon salt - ½ cup unsalted butter, softened - 1 cup granulated sugar - 1 large egg - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ½ teaspoon almond extract - 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting) - 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting) - Food coloring (optional, for frosting) - Sprinkles (for garnish) For common allergens, here are some easy swaps: - Butter: Use coconut oil or margarine for a dairy-free option. - Egg: Replace with a flax egg (1 tablespoon flaxseed meal + 2.5 tablespoons water). - Milk: Use almond milk or soy milk for a dairy-free choice. - Flour: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. You will need specific tools to make these cookie bars: - Baking Dish: A 9x13-inch baking dish lined with parchment paper. - Mixing Bowls: A large bowl for mixing wet ingredients and a medium bowl for dry ingredients. - Electric Mixer: This helps cream the butter and sugar together easily. - Spatula: For spreading the dough and frosting evenly. - Wire Rack: To cool the cookie bars after baking. With these ingredients and tools, you are ready to create a sweet treat that everyone will love! {{ingredient_image_2}} 1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). 2. Prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper. Leave some paper hanging over the edges for easy removal later. 3. Mix dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Set aside. 4. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, beat ½ cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup of granulated sugar. Use an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-4 minutes. You want it light and fluffy. 5. Incorporate wet ingredients: Add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix on low speed until well combined. 6. Combine mixtures: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture. Stir gently until just combined. Do not overmix; this keeps the bars soft and light. 7. Spread in pan: Spoon the dough into your prepared baking dish. Use a spatula to spread it evenly. 8. Bake: Place in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. The edges should be lightly golden. Check with a toothpick; it should come out clean. 9. Cool the bars: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, lift them out using the parchment paper. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 10. Prepare frosting: While cooling, whisk 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk in a bowl until smooth. If you want color, add a few drops of food coloring. 11. Frost the cookies: Once cooled, spread the frosting generously over the bars. Use a spatula or knife for even coverage. 12. Add sprinkles: Finish by sprinkling colorful toppings over the frosting for a fun touch. 13. Slice and serve: Use a sharp knife to cut into squares or rectangles. Enjoy these sweet delights! To avoid common baking mistakes, measure your flour carefully. Use a spoon to fluff the flour and scoop it into your measuring cup. Don't pack it down. Overpacking can lead to dry cookie bars. Mix your dry ingredients well to ensure even baking. When combining wet and dry, mix just until blended. Overmixing makes the bars tough, not soft. To ensure the perfect texture, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. This step helps create air in the dough. Also, cool the bars completely before frosting. Warm bars may melt the frosting, making it runny. For the best frosting consistency, start with room-temperature butter. Mix the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. If it’s too thick, add more milk slowly. If it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar. For mixing in food coloring effectively, use gel colors for vibrant shades. Add a little at a time and mix well. This helps you control the color and avoid a watery frosting. For serving and garnishing ideas, use a decorative platter or cake stand. This makes your cookie bars look extra special. Add colorful sprinkles on top for a festive touch. You can also use edible glitter for fun. To store leftovers attractively, place them in an airtight container. You can layer parchment paper between the bars to keep them from sticking together. This keeps them fresh and easy to grab later. Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For thicker cookie bars, chill the dough for 30 minutes before spreading it in the pan. This helps the bars maintain their shape while baking. Frosting Consistency: If your frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, a teaspoon at a time, until you reach the desired spreadable consistency. Make Ahead: These cookie bars can be made a day in advance. Just store them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Customizable Toppings: Get creative with toppings! You can use crushed candies, nuts, or even drizzle melted chocolate over the frosting for added flavor and texture. {{image_4}} You can change the taste of your sugar cookie bars easily. Try adding different extracts, like lemon or orange. These will give your bars a fresh twist. You can also mix in spices like cinnamon or nutmeg for a warm flavor. If you love chocolate, fold in some chocolate chips. They add a sweet and rich taste. You can even use white chocolate or butterscotch chips. The options are endless, and you can make these bars your own! Frosting is where you can get creative. The basic frosting recipe is great. But you can try other flavors too! Adding cocoa powder gives you chocolate frosting. Or try cream cheese for a tangy twist. If you want a vegan option, use coconut cream instead of milk. You can also make a simple frosting with powdered sugar and nut milk. This way, everyone can enjoy these delicious bars. Pair your frosted sugar cookie bars with fun drinks. A glass of cold milk is a classic choice. But you could also serve them with hot cocoa or tea. These bars are perfect for parties! Use them for birthdays, holidays, or any celebration. You can even decorate them with themed sprinkles to match your event. Everyone will love these sweet treats! To store your cookie bars at room temperature, let them cool completely. Then, cut them into squares. Place the squares in an airtight container. This helps keep them fresh. Use parchment paper between layers to avoid sticking. You can enjoy them for up to a week this way. The best containers for maintaining freshness are glass or plastic containers with tight lids. If you have a cake dome, that works great too. Just make sure the bars are fully cooled before sealing them. For long-term storage, you can freeze the cookie bars. First, cut them into squares. Wrap each square in plastic wrap tightly. This protects against freezer burn. Then, place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last up to three months in the freezer. When you want to enjoy them again, thaw the bars in the fridge overnight. If you need to reheat them, pop them in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. This warms them up without drying them out. Enjoy your sweet treat! What is the best way to cut cookie bars? To cut cookie bars, first cool them completely. Use a sharp knife for clean cuts. For neat edges, wipe the knife with a damp cloth between cuts. You can also line the baking dish with parchment paper to help lift the bars out easily. How long do frosted sugar cookie bars last? Stored in an airtight container, these bars last for about five days. If you keep them in a cool place, they stay fresh longer. For best results, enjoy them within three days for peak flavor. Can I substitute ingredients in the recipe? Yes, you can swap some ingredients. If you need a dairy-free option, use vegan butter. Coconut flour can replace all-purpose flour, but you will need to adjust the amount. For a lower-sugar option, try using less granulated sugar or a sugar substitute. How to make these gluten-free? To make these bars gluten-free, use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend. Make sure the blend includes a binding agent, like xanthan gum. Follow the recipe as written for the other ingredients. What to do if the bars come out too dry? If your bars are dry, you may have overbaked them. Check your oven temperature with an oven thermometer to ensure it's accurate. Next time, bake for a shorter time and watch for a lightly golden edge. How to fix over-chilled frosting? If your frosting gets too cold, let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes. Then, mix it again until smooth. If it’s still too thick, add a splash of milk to loosen it up. This blog post covered all you need to make perfect cookie bars. We went over key ingredients and helpful substitutions for allergies. I provided a thorough baking guide, from preparation to cooling and frosting. You now have tips and tricks to avoid common mistakes. I also shared variations for flavors and frostings to keep it fun. With proper storage tips, your cookie bars will stay fresh longer. Enjoy your baking journey! It's time to create something tasty.

Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Delicious and festive sugar cookie bars topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 24
Calories 150 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 2.75 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 0.5 teaspoon baking soda
  • 0.5 teaspoon salt
  • 0.5 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 0.5 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)
  • None none Food coloring (optional, for frosting)
  • None none Sprinkles (for garnish)

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a 9x13-inch baking dish by lining it with parchment paper.
  • In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt until evenly combined.
  • In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened unsalted butter with the granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until light and fluffy.
  • Add the large egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing on low until well combined.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently until just combined.
  • Spoon the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish and spread it evenly. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
  • Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes, then lift them out using the parchment overhang and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth and creamy. Add food coloring if desired.
  • Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting generously over the top.
  • Sprinkle colorful sprinkles over the frosted surface for decoration.
  • Cut the cookie bars into squares or rectangles and serve.

Notes

For a fun twist, try adding different flavors of extracts or colored sprinkles.
Keyword cookie bars, frosted cookies, sugar cookies