Description
Soft Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies, baked into easy-to-cut bars and topped with creamy vanilla frosting. Perfectly soft and tender, these cookie bars combine a rich buttery dough with a fluffy, sweet frosting that can be customized with food coloring and sprinkles for a festive touch. Ideal for parties, gatherings, or a simple homemade dessert treat.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Bars
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for your dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to ensure even distribution of leavening agents and seasoning.
- Combine Wet and Dry: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Press Dough into Pan: Evenly press the dough into the prepared baking pan, making sure the surface is smooth and uniform in thickness for even baking.
- Bake the Bars: Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. Be careful not to overbake to maintain softness.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Prepare the Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat the mixture until it is fluffy and smooth. Add food coloring if desired.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Add sprinkles if desired for a festive look.
- Serve: Cut into 24 squares and serve. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
Notes
- For an extra soft texture, avoid overbaking the cookie bars; the center should be just set.
- These bars store well in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to a week.
- You can customize the frosting with different food coloring to suit any occasion.
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
