Name: Easy Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (180 g); 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/4 teaspoon baking soda; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (113 g); 1/2 cup granulated sugar (100 g); 1 large egg; 2 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 cup unsalted butter (113 g); 1/4 cup cream cheese (30 g); 2 cups powdered sugar (240 g); 1 teaspoon vanilla; 2 tablespoon heavy cream; 1 drop food coloring; Sprinkles

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Frosted sugar cookie bars are one of the most iconic choices at dessert tables. The soft slightly sweet cookie bar is easy to make and made perfect with a sweet and fluffy layer of homemade cream cheese icing on top. Whether you make these just because, or for a holiday, they are sure to be one of your new favorite desserts.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Cookie bars aren't much different than a traditional cookie. They just happen to be baked all together and cut out after baking. Of course, a cookie bar is often a bit denser or thicker, but the flavor is still there, and this one is a perfect example of the ultimate sugar cookie in bar form. Not too sweet, not dry, but just right!

Another similar option would be these frosted sour cream lemon cookies. While not in bar form, they are a similar texture and of course another great frosted cookie option for your treat jars.

Do These Have to Have Frosting on Top?

No, you do not. If you prefer a cookie that doesn't have to be refrigerated, you can definitely leave these unfrosted. You can sprinkle them with sugar before baking, or you can add frosting just when serving instead of over the entire batch at one time.

You can also use a basic buttercream rather than cream cheese if you prefer a more stabilized frosting that won't need refrigeration after decorating.

What Holidays Can I Make These Sugar Cookie Bars For?

One of my favorite things about sugar cookie bars is how versatile they are. These have a fun pink frosting on top, but they could be made with any color or decoration to work with any holiday, season, or party. Some holiday ideas for this recipe are below.

Valentine's Day: pink, red, or white with heart sprinkles.
Easter: any pastel color with an Easter sprinkle blend.
St. Patrick's Day: green with white and gold sprinkles or shamrock sprinkles.
Mother's Day: pink, red, or purple with flower sprinkles or glitter sugar.
Father's Day: green or blue with gone fishing sprinkles, or superhero sprinkles.
4th of July: red, white, or blue with patriotic sprinkles.
Back to School: yellow frosting with back-to-school sprinkles.
Halloween: orange, black, green, or purple with a Halloween sprinkles blend.
Thanksgiving: orange, yellow, brown, or burgundy with fall leaves sprinkles or pumpkin sprinkles.
Christmas: white, green, blue, or red with Christmas tree sprinkles, candy cane sprinkles, or snowflake sprinkles.

If you want some other ideas for holiday cookies, we also have these great soft Italian Easter cookies, my favorite Christmas sugar cookies with homemade glaze, or these red velvet cookies with cream cheese frosting.

Can You Add Mix-Ins to Sugar Cookie Dough?

You sure can! For a sugar cookie bar with frosting, you will probably want to do something pretty basic or that will pair well with the cream cheese frosting. Finely chopped pecans or walnuts are a great addition, as are mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or even just a ½ teaspoon cinnamon in the cookie dough before baking.

Without frosting, you can easily add other things like dried cranberries, different flavors of chips like peanut butter or butterscotch, and even caramel bits or candy pieces. Use your imagination and pair things together that you already know and love. Just make sure whatever you add, is no more than ½ cup additional total.

What Do You Need to Make Sugar Cookie Bars?

All-purpose flour
Cornstarch
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt
Unsalted butter
Granulated sugar
Egg
Vanilla extract

Ingredients for Frosting

Unsalted butter
Cream cheese
Powdered sugar
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream

Optional: food coloring and sprinkles

Handy Kitchen Tools

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F and line an 8"x8" baking pan with parchment paper or grease well, then set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.

In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until fluffy, approximately 1 to 2 minutes.

Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture and mix until incorporated.

Pour the dry ingredients into the butter mixture.

Mix until combined and a thick dough forms.

Press the cookie dough into the prepared pan.

Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean and the edges are just golden.

Set the pan aside to cool completely.

How to Make Cream Cheese Frosting

In a large bowl, beat together the cream cheese and butter until well incorporated and no lumps remain.

Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and food coloring (optional) and beat until the mixture is fluffy and incorporated.

Using an offset spatula, spread in an even layer over the top of the cooled cookie bars.

Top with sprinkles if desired.

Use the edges of the parchment paper to lift the cookies out of the pan and slice them into bars.

How to Store Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Since these bars have cream cheese frosting, they should be refrigerated within 2 hours of icing. Slice and place them in a single layer in an airtight container with a lid and store for up to 1 week in the refrigerator. Bring to room temperature before serving.

More Easy Cookie Recipes

If you are in love with cookies as much as I am, then you will want to add more tasty ideas to your menu. Below are some of my favorite easy-to-make cookies that are sure to be loved when in your cookie jar! Make sure to pin, print, or bookmark these recipes to make soon!

📖 Recipe

Yield: 12