Sugar cookie bars are soft, thick cookie bars with classic sugar cookie flavor and a layer of fluffy buttercream frosting on top. They have the same sweet vanilla taste as frosted sugar cookies, but they're easier because you bake them in one pan.
A Quick Look at the Recipe
✅ Recipe Name: Sugar Cookie Bars
🕒 Ready In: ~45 minutes
👪 Serves: 12 bars
🥣 Main Ingredients: Butter, sugar, flour, egg, vanilla, powdered sugar, heavy cream, sprinkles
👌 Difficulty: Easy - press, bake, frost
⭐ Why You'll Love It: These sugar cookie bars are soft and thick with classic vanilla sugar cookie flavor, topped with fluffy buttercream and festive sprinkles.
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These sugar cookie bars bake up tender with lightly golden edges and a soft center, then get finished with a smooth, creamy frosting and a sprinkle topping. They're perfect for holidays, birthdays, and parties when you want an easy dessert that serves a crowd.
If you love festive desserts, you might also like our Christmas Cookie Bars, Molasses Cookies, or Gingerbread Cheesecake.
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Why You'll Love Sugar Cookie Bars
Easy sugar cookie shortcut: All the flavor of frosted sugar cookies without rolling or cutting dough.
Soft and thick texture: Tender center with lightly golden edges for the perfect cookie bar bite.
Fluffy buttercream frosting: Smooth, sweet topping that makes them taste bakery-style.
Perfect for decorating: Change the sprinkles for any holiday, party, or season.
Key ingredients
- Butter: Creates the rich sugar cookie base and makes the bars soft and tender.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and gives them classic sugar cookie flavor.
- All purpose flour: Gives the bars structure so they slice cleanly without crumbling.
- Heavy cream: Makes the buttercream frosting smooth, fluffy, and easy to spread.
- Holiday sprinkles: Add a festive finish and make the bars perfect for any occasion.
Scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of this page for exact quantities.
Easy Substitutions & Variations
- Add almond flavor: Swap ½ teaspoon almond extract for ½ teaspoon vanilla in the bars for a classic bakery taste.
- Change the sprinkles: Use seasonal sprinkles for Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter, or birthdays.
- Make them thicker: Use a smaller pan or double the recipe for extra thick sugar cookie bars.
- Tint the frosting: Add a drop of gel food coloring to match your holiday or party theme.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
- Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 8×8-inch baking dish. Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Step 2: Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Step 3: Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt stirring until just combined. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Step 4: Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow it to cool. Beat the butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream together until smooth and fluffy. Spread evenly over the cooled cookie bars and top with sprinkles.
Recipe Notes & Tips
- Do not over bake: Pull the sugar cookie bars when the edges are lightly golden and the center still looks soft so they stay tender.
- Press evenly: An even dough layer helps the bars bake level and prevents dry edges.
- Cool completely before frosting: Warm bars will melt the buttercream and make it slide.
- Adjust frosting texture: Add a splash more cream to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken it.
- Slice cleanly: Chill the frosted bars for 15 to 20 minutes, then cut with a sharp knife for neat squares.
Make-Ahead & Freezing Options
- Make ahead: Bake the bars a day in advance and store them unfrosted, then frost before serving.
- Room temperature storage: Store frosted sugar cookie bars covered at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Refrigerator storage: Keep them covered in the fridge for up to 5 days, then bring to room temperature before serving.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly for up to 2 months.
- Thawing: Thaw at room temperature, then frost and add sprinkles before serving.
Sugar Cookie Bars faqs
To keep sugar cookie bars soft, do not over bake them and remove them when the edges are lightly golden and the center still looks slightly underdone. Store the bars tightly covered once cooled so they do not dry out.
Sugar cookie bars do not have to be refrigerated for short storage, but refrigerating helps the frosting stay firm and the bars stay fresh longer. If you refrigerate them, bring the bars to room temperature before serving for the softest texture.
Most sugar cookie bars bake in an 8×8 pan at 350°F for about 12 to 15 minutes. They are done when the edges look lightly golden and the center still looks soft.
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Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease a 8×8-inch baking dish.
- Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until well combined.
- Gradually add the flour, baking soda, and salt stirring until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 12-15 minutes or until the edges are golden but the center is still soft. Allow it to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the butter, powdered sugar, and heavy cream together until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and top with holiday sprinkles.
Nutrition
Notes
- Do not over bake: Pull the sugar cookie bars when the edges are lightly golden and the center still looks soft so they stay tender.
- Press evenly: An even dough layer helps the bars bake level and prevents dry edges.
- Cool completely before frosting: Warm bars will melt the buttercream and make it slide.
- Adjust frosting texture: Add a splash more cream to thin it or more powdered sugar to thicken it.
- Slice cleanly: Chill the frosted bars for 15 to 20 minutes, then cut with a sharp knife for neat squares.
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