Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup/225 grams unsalted butter
at room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan, 2 sticks
- 2 3/4 cups/350 grams all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1 package cream cheese
at room temperature, 8-ounce/225-gram
- 1 1/2 cups/300 grams granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 6 tablespoons/85 grams unsalted butter
at room temperature, 3/4 stick
- 2 cups/245 grams confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream
plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
plus more as needed
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
plus more as needed
- 1/4 teaspoon fine sea salt
- A drop or two of gel food coloring
optional
- Assorted sprinkles
for decorating, optional
Directions
- 1
Heat oven to 350 degrees. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line the pan with parchment paper, running it up the two long sides of the pan and letting it extend past the rim by about 2 inches.
- 2
Make the bars: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour and salt. In a large bowl with an electric mixer, or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Add the granulated sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add the egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula. Gradually add the flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until blended, about 1 minute.
- 3
Using a spatula, scrape the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer. Bake just until the edges are starting to turn light golden brown, and a toothpick inserted in the middle has moist crumbs, 20 to 25 minutes. (Do not overbake! The bars should be quite moist, and almost slightly underbaked in the middle.) Remove the pan from the oven and set it on a wire rack. Let cool completely. When fully cooled, remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper.
- 4
Make the frosting: Place the butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed until fully combined, then repeat with remaining 1 cup confectioners’ sugar. Add the 1 tablespoon milk or heavy cream, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, the vanilla, salt and food coloring, if using, and beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through, about 4 minutes. Add more milk if needed to thin out the mixture. Add lemon juice and vanilla to taste.
- 5
Using a spatula, spread the frosting on top, then decorate with sprinkles, if using. Cut into 20 bars and serve.
Sugar Cookie Bars
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About this Recipe
Craving soft, sweet sugar cookies without the fuss of rolling and cutting? These delightful Sugar Cookie Bars deliver all the classic flavor you love, baked effortlessly in a single 9-by-13 pan.
Why This Recipe Works
The secret to their irresistibly tender crumb lies in the genius addition of cream cheese to the batter, creating a subtle tang that beautifully balances the rich, sweet buttercream frosting. This smart technique, adapted from “American Girl Cookies,” ensures a perfectly moist, chewy bar that stands out from drier sugar cookie recipes.
What to Expect
Prepare for pure happiness in every bite. You'll bite into a rich, slightly tangy cookie base that's incredibly soft and chewy, a perfect counterpoint to the generous layer of luscious, creamy buttercream. The texture is designed to be melt-in-your-mouth tender; a key tip is to never overbake, as you're looking for just a few moist crumbs to cling to a toothpick when testing for doneness. The vibrant colors you can achieve with optional gel food coloring and an abundance of assorted sprinkles make these bars as joyful to look at as they are to eat.
Customization & Variations
These bars are wonderfully versatile. Feel free to get creative with your frosting! Experiment with different gel food coloring shades to match any holiday or occasion. You can also adjust the amount of fresh lemon juice or vanilla extract in the frosting to fine-tune the flavor profile, and, of course, choose your favorite assorted sprinkles to decorate with abandon.
Serving & Context
These crowd-pleasing Sugar Cookie Bars are perfect for potlucks, birthday parties, bake sales, or simply as a comforting sweet treat to brighten any day. Their easy-to-serve format makes them ideal for gatherings, and they pair wonderfully with a cup of coffee, tea, or a cold glass of milk.