Name: Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: PT-486498H20M22S
Total time: PT-486498H20M22S
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional); 1 cup vanilla frosting (optional)

Sweet memories often bloom from childhood favorite sugar cookie bars that transport you back to grandma’s kitchen.

Crisp edges and soft centers define these delightful treats perfect for any celebration.

Nostalgic flavors mingle with buttery richness, creating an irresistible dessert everyone adores.

Simple ingredients come together effortlessly, promising minimal effort and maximum satisfaction.

Each bite delivers a comforting blend of vanilla and sweet undertones that dance across your palate.

Baking these bars becomes an easy weekend project that sparks joy and connects generations through shared culinary love.

You’ll want to savor every crumb of this classic American dessert that feels like a warm hug.

Savor Sweet Beverage Companions: Craft a rich, creamy hot chocolate that complements the buttery, sweet cookie bars with its velvety warmth.
Elevate Flavor Matching: Pair the sprinkled cookie bars with a chilled glass of cold milk, creating a classic combination that highlights the dessert's vanilla and sugary notes.
Create Textural Contrast: Serve alongside a light, crisp champagne or prosecco, which cuts through the dense, rich cookie texture with its effervescent brightness.
Design Gourmet Experience: Accompany the bars with a smooth, caramel-infused latte that echoes the dessert's sweet undertones and provides a sophisticated coffee complement.

Store cooled cookie bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper for up to 5 days. Keep in the refrigerator to maintain freshness and prevent spoiling.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
Preheat oven to 300°F, place bars on a baking sheet, and warm for 5-7 minutes to restore slight crispness and bring back their just-baked texture.
Heat individual bars for 10-15 seconds on a microwave-safe plate. Check carefully to avoid overheating, which can make them tough or dry.

What ingredients can I substitute if I don't have some on hand?

You can replace vanilla extract with almond extract or use margarine instead of butter. Greek yogurt might work as an egg substitute in small quantities.

Are these cookie bars kid-friendly to make?

Absolutely! Kids can help mix ingredients, sprinkle decorations, and cut bars with adult supervision. It’s a fun, simple baking project that doesn’t require complex techniques.

How do I know when the cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a toothpick that comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs. The center should look set but not dry or cracked.

Craft with Minimal Effort: Perfect for busy bakers who want delicious treats without complicated techniques, this recipe requires basic mixing and spreading skills.
Customize for Any Celebration: Versatile cookie bars adapt seamlessly to birthdays, holidays, or casual gatherings with simple decorative sprinkle variations.
Quick Crowd-Pleaser: Bakes faster than traditional individual cookies, delivering a large batch of sweet treats that satisfy groups of hungry friends and family.
No-Fuss Preparation: Simple ingredient list and straightforward mixing method mean even novice bakers can create professional-looking dessert bars with confidence.

For the Base:

Butter: A rich, creamy ingredient that provides moisture and helps create a tender texture in the cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a light, golden color in the baked dessert.

For the Moisture and Binding:

Eggs: Act as a binding agent that helps hold the cookie bars together and provides structure.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor with its warm, sweet aroma.

For the Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Forms the main structure of the cookie bars and provides a soft, tender crumb.
Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, fluffy texture.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

For the Optional Decorations:

Jimmies, Nonpareils: Colorful sprinkles that add visual appeal and a fun texture to the cookie bars.
Vanilla Frosting: A sweet, creamy topping that can be used to decorate the finished bars.

Step 1: Prep the Baking Station

Warm up the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy bar removal later.

Step 2: Whip Up the Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, fluffy, pale yellow cloud. This process takes about 3-4 minutes of consistent mixing.

Step 3: Introduce the Eggs

Add eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in the vanilla extract and blend until the mixture looks smooth and perfectly combined.

Step 4: Create the Dry Mixture

In a separate bowl, sift together flour, baking powder, and salt. Ensure no pesky lumps remain in the dry ingredients.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry

Gently fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Stir carefully to combine, being extra cautious not to overmix the batter.

Step 6: Spread the Dough

Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to spread it evenly, creating a smooth, uniform layer across the pan.

Step 7: Add Some Sparkle

Sprinkle colorful jimmies or nonpareils across the dough surface for a playful, eye-catching touch.

Step 8: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges turn a beautiful golden brown. Test doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center – it should come out clean.

Step 9: Cool Down

Remove from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan for about an hour.

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Once cooled, lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang. Slice into uniform, delectable squares.

Step 11: Optional Glamour

For an extra festive look, decorate with vanilla frosting and sprinkle additional colorful toppings.

Choose Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter, eggs, and other dairy are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture.
Prevent Overmixing: Stir batter gently until ingredients are just combined to maintain a tender, soft cookie bar consistency.
Create Clean Cuts: Let bars cool completely before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat, professional-looking squares.
Add Sprinkle Variety: Experiment with different sprinkle colors and sizes to match themes or create unique visual designs on top of the bars.
Store Smartly: Keep cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Gluten-Free Sugar Cookie Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend and add xanthan gum for better texture and binding.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Mix semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough before baking, creating a classic chocolate-studded version with rich flavor.
Nutty Cookie Bars: Fold chopped almonds or pecans into the batter for added crunch and depth, providing a delightful nutty undertone to the sweet base.
Vegan Cookie Bars: Substitute butter with coconut oil, replace eggs with mashed banana or flax eggs, and use plant-based vanilla extract to create a dairy-free and egg-free alternative.

Jackson Reid

Founder & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Single-serving recipe development
Global flavor fusion
Minimalist cooking techniques
Food photography and styling

Education

Holyoke Community College – HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Farm-to-table cuisine, sustainable cooking practices, and hands-on kitchen training

Jackson’s love for cooking began one dish at a time. After earning his Culinary Arts Certificate from Holyoke Community College’s HCC-MGM Culinary Arts Institute, he focused on what mattered most: creating recipes that are simple to follow and full of flavor.
At 10 Below Ice Cream, Jackson brings together global influences and a less-is-more approach. His recipes reflect his belief that good food doesn’t need to be complicated; it just needs to make sense, taste great, and feel right.
When he’s not testing ingredients or adjusting seasonings, you’ll find him hiking near Asheville, exploring local markets, or chasing the best light for food photos.