Name: Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; 2 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar; ½ cup (113 grams) butter, softened; 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened; ¼ cup (57 grams) butter, softened (for frosting); 1 whole egg; ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon almond extract; 2 tablespoons milk; Pink food coloring gel (optional); Sprinkles (optional)

Sugar cookie bars deliver pure bliss in every decadent bite.

Sweet memories flood back with these nostalgic treats that melt perfectly on your tongue.

Home bakers adore their simplicity and crowd-pleasing charm, revolutionizeing ordinary ingredients into something magical.

Soft, tender textures blend seamlessly with rich, buttery notes that dance across your palate.

Each bar promises a delightful balance between crisp edges and tender centers, creating an irresistible contrast.

Minimal effort yields maximum satisfaction with this crowd-favorite dessert that feels both comforting and indulgent.

Prepare to elevate your baking game with a recipe that guarantees smiles and second helpings.

Effortless Baking Delight: These sugar cookie bars offer a simple, stress-free way to create a delectable dessert without the hassle of individual cookie shaping or complicated techniques.
Creamy Texture Explosion: The combination of cream cheese, butter, and soft frosting creates an incredibly smooth, melt-in-your-mouth experience that elevates these bars beyond traditional cookies.
Party-Perfect Treat: Decorated with cheerful sprinkles and potentially pink frosting, these bars become an instant crowd-pleaser for birthdays, holidays, or casual gatherings, making them a versatile dessert option that brings instant joy to any celebration.

Base Ingredients:

Butter: Provides rich flavor and tender texture, choose unsalted for better control of saltiness.
Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with browning, granulated white sugar works best.
Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure to the bars.
Vanilla Extract: Enhances overall flavor with warm, sweet notes.
Almond Extract: Adds depth and subtle nutty flavor to the cookie bars.
Cream Cheese: Contributes moisture and tangy richness to the dough.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Main structure for the cookie bars, ensures proper texture.
Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and become light and fluffy.

Frosting Ingredients:

Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting with perfect sweetness.
Milk: Helps adjust frosting consistency and adds creaminess.
Pink Food Coloring: Optional, provides decorative color to the frosting.
Sprinkles: Adds festive decoration and fun texture to the finished bars.

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Station

Warm up your oven to 350°F. Grab a 9×9-inch pan and line it with parchment paper, making sure the edges are covered for easy removal.

Step 2: Create the Creamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Crack in the egg, then add vanilla, almond extract, and cream cheese. Mix until everything is beautifully combined and smooth.

Step 3: Form the Cookie Dough

Gently fold in the dry ingredients:

Flour
Baking powder

Stir until a soft, cohesive dough forms. Don’t overmix – you want a tender texture.

Step 4: Bake to Golden Perfection

Spread the dough evenly across the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for a beautiful golden color and slightly firm edges as your doneness signal.

Step 5: Whip Up the Dreamy Frosting

In a clean bowl, blend together:

Softened butter
Powdered sugar
Milk
Vanilla extract

For a playful touch, add a few drops of pink food coloring if you’re feeling fancy.

Step 6: Decorate and Serve

Once the bars have completely cooled, spread the frosting in a smooth layer. Sprinkle with colorful confetti sprinkles for extra joy. Slice into squares and watch them disappear!

Master the Butter Technique: Ensure butter is softened at room temperature for smooth, even mixing without lumps.
Prevent Overmixing: Stir flour just until combined to keep bars tender and prevent tough texture.
Create Perfect Edges: Use parchment paper with slight overhang for easy removal and clean bar cuts.
Gauge Baking Perfectly: Watch for golden edges and slightly soft center to avoid dry, crumbly bars.
Frosting Consistency Hack: Add milk gradually to achieve spreadable, silky frosting that sets beautifully on bars.

Refrigerate: Store sugar cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover the bars completely to prevent them from drying out or absorbing other food odors.
Freeze: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Frozen sugar cookie bars will maintain their quality for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
Reheat: Warm refrigerated bars gently in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to restore their soft, fresh-from-the-oven texture. For best results, let the bars sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to enhance their flavor and softness.

Pair with Creamy Vanilla Latte: Complement the sweet sugar cookie bars with a smooth, rich vanilla latte. The warm, velvety coffee balances the sugary treat, creating a delightful morning or afternoon indulgence.
Match with Chilled Strawberry Milk: Cool down the richness of the cookie bars with a refreshing strawberry milk. The fruity, sweet drink enhances the almond and vanilla notes in the dessert, offering a playful flavor combination.
Serve alongside Chai Tea: Enjoy the subtle spices of chai tea with these soft sugar cookie bars. The warm, aromatic tea brings out the buttery texture and adds depth to the dessert's sweet profile.
Pair with Sparkling Rosé: Elevate the dessert experience with a light, bubbly rosé. The wine's crisp and slightly fruity notes provide a sophisticated contrast to the sweet, creamy cookie bars.

Citrus Burst Bars: Replace almond extract with fresh lemon or orange zest for a bright, tangy flavor profile that adds a refreshing touch to the classic sugar cookie.
Chocolate Swirl Bars: Marble melted dark chocolate into the batter before baking, creating rich chocolate ribbons throughout the soft, tender cookie bars.
Nutty Crunch Edition: Fold chopped pecans or sliced almonds into the dough and sprinkle extra nuts on top for a delightful textural contrast and nutty depth of flavor.
Seasonal Spice Bars: Mix in warm ground cinnamon, nutmeg, and a pinch of ginger to transform these cookies into a cozy, winter-inspired treat that captures holiday warmth.

Mary Ellen

Founder, Pastry Chef & Recipe Developer

Expertise

Artisanal Bread Making
Exquisite Pastry Craftsmanship
Creative Dessert Presentation
Flavor Profile Development
Menu Concept Innovation.

Education

Savannah Technical College

Program: Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts
Focus: A specialized program focusing on baking and pastry fundamentals, including bread making, cake decorating, and advanced pastry techniques. Developed creative presentation skills and an understanding of ingredient functions through lab-based practice.

Mary Ellen is the heart and soul of thatsmyhome.com. As the founder, pastry chef, and recipe developer, she refined her skills at Savannah Technical College with an Associate of Applied Science in Culinary Baking & Pastry Arts.

Mary blends classic techniques with modern twists to make artisanal breads, beautifully crafted pastries, and desserts full of unique flavor. Her passion is evident in every recipe, and she enjoys sharing her expertise through hands-on pastry workshops and insightful articles in local culinary magazines.