Sugar Cookie Bars
The BEST sugar cookie bars with a thick, soft (never dry!) sugar cookie base topped with super fluffy, rich buttercream frosting. No chilling, no rolling, better even than a classic sugar cookie. Try them chilled straight from the fridge to take these to the next level!
Servings:16 bars
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks butter, 12 tablespoons or 3/4 cup
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 cups flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons corn starch
For the Frosting
- 1 cup butter, at room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4-8 tablespoons milk, as needed
- pinch of salt
- 1-2 drops food coloring
- sprinkles, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment or foil.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar for 2 minutes til very fluffy.
- Mix in eggs and vanilla.
- In a medium bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and corn starch.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients and mix until completely incorporated. (Batter will be very thick!)
- Use a rubber spatula or spoon to spread/press dough into prepared pan in an even layer. (The batter is very thick so this will take a minute but trust me, these are worth a little elbow grease!)
- Bake in preheated oven for about 18 minutes. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a large bowl cream butter for 2-3 minutes until very fluffy. Mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons of milk. Mix in an additional tablespoon of milk at a time - creaming thoroughly after each addition - until frosting is very fluffy. Stir in 1-2 drops of food coloring if desired.
- Frost cooled bars and add sprinkles if desired. Cut into squares and serve OR store in airtight container at room temperature up to three days OR store in the fridge for 5 days (try them chilled, it's AMAZING.).
Notes
Pro tip: These are incredible at room temperature - and somehow even better chilled, straight from the fridge! Try it, I promise you'll love it.
Pro tip: add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the batter, and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the frosting for a fun flavor twist (this is my favorite!).
Pro tip: add 1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the batter, and 1/4-1/2 teaspoon almond extract to the frosting for a fun flavor twist (this is my favorite!).
Nutrition
Calories: 272 kcal, Carbohydrates: 60 g, Protein: 4 g, Fat: 2 g, Saturated Fat: 1 g, Trans Fat: 1 g, Cholesterol: 33 mg, Sodium: 271 mg, Potassium: 64 mg, Fiber: 1 g, Sugar: 42 g, Vitamin A: 76 IU, Calcium: 45 mg, Iron: 1 mg
