Sugar Cookie Bars

These Sugar Cookie Bars are the ultimate shortcut to soft, bakery-style sugar cookies — without rolling pins, cookie cutters, or chilling time. Thick, fluffy, and melt-in-your-mouth tender, they bake in one pan and get topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and colorful sprinkles. Perfect for birthdays, holidays, bake sales, or when you need an easy dessert for a crowd. If you love soft frosted sugar cookies, this simplified bar version will become your new go-to recipe.

table of contents

Time Breakdown

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Cooling Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
• Total Time: 2 hours 5 minutes
• Servings: 24 small squares

Ingredients List

For the Cookie Bars

• 2 ¼ cups (319g) all-purpose flour (scoop and level)
• 1 Tbsp (10g) cornstarch
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs, room temperature
• 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 1 ½ tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp almond extract

For the Frosting

• 2 ¼ cups (270g) powdered sugar
• ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temperature
• 2–3 Tbsp heavy cream
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

Kitchen Tools You’ll Need

This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.

• 13×9-inch baking pan
• Mixing bowls
• Electric mixer
• Spatula
• Wire cooling rack
• Parchment paper (optional, for easy lifting)

Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions

1️⃣ Preheat & Prep

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
Butter a 13×9-inch baking pan (or line with parchment for easy removal).

2️⃣ Mix Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

3️⃣ Cream Butter & Sugar 🧈

In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar until smooth and creamy. Scrape down sides.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla and almond extract.

4️⃣ Combine & Spread

Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

Spread dough evenly into prepared pan. Lightly press flat with greased hands if needed.

5️⃣ Bake 🍪

Bake 14–16 minutes, until puffy and just set in the center. Do not overbake.

Let cool completely (about 90 minutes at room temp or 60 minutes in fridge).

6️⃣ Make the Frosting ✨

Beat butter until smooth.
Add powdered sugar, cream, and vanilla.
Beat until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed for spreadable consistency.
Add food coloring if desired.

Spread frosting over cooled bars and decorate with sprinkles.

Pro Tips

• Slightly underbake for ultra-soft bars.
• Chill bars briefly before slicing for cleaner cuts.
• Store in fridge for longer shelf life.
• Freeze unfrosted bars up to 2 months.

Nutrition Table

Serving Size	Calories	Protein	Carbs	Fat	Fiber	Sugar
1 square	420	18g	35g	22g	4g	6g

Disclaimer: Nutrition facts are estimated using online tools and may vary depending on ingredient brands and portion sizes. Consult a nutrition professional for precise values.

Conclusion

These Sugar Cookie Bars give you all the nostalgic sugar cookie flavor in an easy, no-fuss format. Soft, sweet, and topped with fluffy frosting, they’re guaranteed to be a crowd favorite at any gathering.