Description
Frosted sugar cookie bars bring nostalgic bakery charm straight to home kitchens with their irresistible sweetness. Creamy frosting and tender cookie base create a delightful dessert you’ll crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
Extracts and Seasonings:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 pinch salt
Optional Decorations:
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl, creating a uniform dry ingredient base.
- In a separate large bowl, blend butter and sugar until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth foundation for the cookie bars.
- Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, then introduce vanilla and almond extracts to enhance the flavor profile.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a cohesive dough forms without overmixing.
- Spread the dough evenly across the prepared baking dish, ensuring a consistent thickness for uniform baking.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, watching for light golden edges as an indicator of perfect doneness. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting by whipping butter and powdered sugar until smooth and creamy, creating a silky texture.
- Add vanilla and milk to the frosting, adjusting liquid to achieve a spreadable consistency that will glide effortlessly over the cooled bars.
- Apply the frosting in an even layer across the entire surface of the cooled cookie bars.
- Optional: Embellish with food coloring or sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Slice into squares and serve, presenting a delightful dessert perfect for any occasion.
Notes
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother creaming and better texture in the cookie bars.
- Use parchment paper with slight overhang for easy removal and clean cutting of bars.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to prevent tough, dense cookie bars with less tender crumb.
- Replace almond extract with additional vanilla for nut-free version or if preferred.
- Add food coloring to frosting for festive seasonal variations or matching party themes.
- Try different extract flavors like lemon or coconut for unique taste profiles.
- Store bars in airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days for maximum freshness.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 299
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 116 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 32 mg