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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) I use standard cups and teaspoons for this recipe. Cups help measure flour and sugar. Use teaspoons for baking powder, baking soda, and extracts. You can add food coloring to make the frosting bright and fun. Sprinkles add a festive touch too. Feel free to mix and match colors for any occasion! {{ingredient_image_1}} First, you need to get your oven ready. Preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Grab a 9x13-inch baking dish. Line it with parchment paper. Let the paper hang over the sides. This helps you lift the bars out later. Now, take a medium bowl. In it, whisk together 2 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and ½ teaspoon of salt. Make sure everything is well mixed. Set this bowl aside for later. Next, grab a large bowl and your electric mixer. Add ½ cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar. Beat these together for about 3-4 minutes. You want it to be light and fluffy. This step is key for soft bars. Add 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon of almond extract to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is combined well. Now, slowly add your dry ingredients from the first bowl. Mix until just incorporated. Be careful not to overmix. Spread the cookie dough evenly in your prepared baking dish. Pop it into the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges. A toothpick should come out clean when inserted in the center. While the bars bake, you can make the frosting. In a bowl, whisk 1 cup of powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons of milk until smooth. If you want, add a few drops of food coloring to make it pretty. After baking, let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift them out onto a wire rack. Allow them to cool completely. Once cool, spread the frosting on top. Add your favorite colorful sprinkles for fun. Finally, cut them into squares or rectangles. Enjoy your tasty treats! To get soft and chewy cookie bars, use room-temperature butter. Beat it with sugar until fluffy. This step adds air, making your bars light. Mix the dry ingredients just until combined. Overmixing can make them tough. Let the bars cool fully before frosting. This helps the frosting stay smooth. One big mistake is not measuring the flour right. Too much flour makes the bars dry. Always scoop flour into your cup and level it off. Another mistake is baking too long. Keep an eye on the edges; they should be lightly golden. Use a toothpick to check the center. If it comes out clean, they are done. For fun and festive bars, get creative with your frosting! Add food coloring to match your theme. Use bright colors to make them pop. Top with colorful sprinkles for crunch and flair. You can also add drizzles of melted chocolate for a tasty twist. Try using cookie cutters for fun shapes after frosting! Pro Tips Chill the Dough: For even better flavor and texture, chill the cookie dough for about 30 minutes before baking. This helps prevent spreading and results in thicker bars. Use Quality Extracts: The flavor of the cookie bars greatly depends on the quality of your extracts. Opt for pure vanilla and almond extracts for the best taste. Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the baking time! Remove the bars from the oven as soon as the edges are golden and a toothpick comes out clean to ensure they remain soft and chewy. Customize the Frosting: Feel free to experiment with different food colorings and flavors for the frosting. Try adding lemon or orange zest for a citrusy twist! {{image_2}} You can easily change the flavor of these sugar cookie bars. Try adding lemon zest for a bright taste. A hint of chocolate can come from cocoa powder. You can swap half of the flour for cocoa to make chocolate cookie bars. For a fun twist, try peppermint extract. This adds a nice touch during the holidays. If you need a nut-free version, skip the almond extract. You can replace it with extra vanilla extract. For gluten-free bars, use a gluten-free flour blend. Make sure to check the labels of all ingredients for allergens. This way, everyone can enjoy these bars. Toppings can take your cookie bars to the next level. Use colorful sprinkles for a festive look. You could add crushed candies or nuts on top too. For a more gourmet touch, drizzle melted chocolate over the frosting. You can also add fresh fruits like strawberries or raspberries. This adds flavor and a nice pop of color. To keep your frosted sugar cookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. You can layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Make sure to keep them at room temperature. This helps maintain their soft texture. If your kitchen is warm, it's better to refrigerate them. When stored properly, these cookie bars last for about 5 days at room temperature. If you refrigerate them, they can last up to a week. Just be sure to take them out a little before serving. This way, they can warm up and regain their softness. You can freeze these cookie bars for later enjoyment. Cut the bars into squares and wrap each piece tightly in plastic wrap. Place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can last for up to three months in the freezer. When you're ready to eat them, just thaw them in the fridge overnight. Then, enjoy the soft, sweet goodness! Yes, you can make these cookie bars gluten-free. Use a gluten-free flour blend. Ensure it measures cup-for-cup like all-purpose flour. This swap keeps the texture light and nice. To store your cookie bars, place them in an airtight container. This keeps them fresh for longer. You can layer them with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Absolutely! You can use cream cheese frosting, chocolate frosting, or even whipped cream. Each option brings a new flavor twist. Be creative and have fun with it. Check for a light golden edge and a clean toothpick. Insert a toothpick in the center to test. If it comes out clean, your bars are ready to cool. Yes, you can easily double the recipe. Just use a larger baking dish. Keep an eye on the baking time, as it may need a little longer. Enjoy the extra bars! In this post, we explored how to make tasty cookie bars. I shared the key ingredients, how to measure them, and optional ones for flavor. You learned step-by-step instructions for mixing, baking, and frosting. We also covered tips to perfect your bars and variations to try. Remember to store your cookie bars well for the best taste. With these tips, you can create delicious treats every time. Enjoy baking and sharing your creations!

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
  • 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 optional Food coloring (for frosting)
  • None for garnish Sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal later.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
  • In a large bowl, using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  • Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture and mix until well combined.
  • Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just incorporated. Do not overmix.
  • Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking dish. Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or 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 use the parchment overhang to lift them out and transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In the meantime, make the frosting by whisking together the powdered sugar and milk until smooth. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring to tint the frosting.
  • Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
  • Finish by sprinkling your choice of colorful sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
  • Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy!

Notes

Use different food colorings for a fun and colorful frosting.
Keyword bars, dessert, frosted, sugar cookies