Easy Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

4.72 from 14 votes

These super easy Sugar cookie bars are extremely soft and absolutely amazing! to pair, a soft cream cheese frosting and rainbow sprinkles

Prep Time20

Cook Time35

Total Time55

Servings: 16 bars

Author: Maria Corcuera

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie dough

3/4 Cup granulated sugar
1 Cup unsalted butter room temperature
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 large eggs room temperature
1 teaspoon Vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon Almond Extract
2 Cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream Cheese frosting

8 ounces full fat cream cheese room temperature
1 1/4 Cup unsalted butter room temperature
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 Cups powdered sugar sifted
1/8 cup Sprinkles to top

Instructions

Cookie Bars

Line the bottom and sides of an 8x8 in baking pan with parchment paper. Pre-heat oven to 350 F
Mix Sugar, butter and salt until no lumps are visible and butter is creamed. Add in eggs, vanilla and almond extract and mix
3/4 Cup (150 g) granulated sugar, 1 Cup (227 g) unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt, 2 large eggs, 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 teaspoon) Almond Extract
Mix in flour and baking powder until just combined. Pour into prepared pan and spread evenly, bake for 25-30 minutes or until edges are golden brown but center is still gooey. Let cool completely
2 Cups (250 g) all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream Cheese Frosting

Beat cream cheese, butter, vanilla and almond extract until creamy and until no lumps are visible. Gradually, add powdered sugar and salt and mix until fluffy
8 ounces (226.8 g) full fat cream cheese, 1 1/4 Cup (283.8 g) unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon (0.3 teaspoon) almond extract, 1/2 teaspoon (0.5 teaspoon) salt, 4 Cups (480 g) powdered sugar
Pulling the parchment paper, remove the bars from the pan and frost, add sprinkles and cut into 16 equally sized squares
1/8 cup (20 g) Sprinkles

Notes

Expert Tips

Butter is capable of holding air when whipped at room temperature, so make sure that it’s at room temperature when making your bars. Take it out of the fridge 1 hour prior to using; this will make for softer, more airy sugar cookie bars
Eggs should also be at room temperature; if pressed on time, allow eggs to sit -completely covered- in warm (not hot) water for 5 minutes, this way ingredients will mix more evenly, and your bars will get better volume
Cream cheese and butter need to be at room temperature for a creamy frosting. Allow both to sit on the counter for 1 to 2 hours before using them
To avoid a lumpy frosting, sift your powdered sugar!
Let the bars cool fully before frosting to prevent melting or sliding.
Use an offset spatula for smooth, even frosting coverage.
For clean slices, wipe your knife between cuts.
Slightly underbaking keeps the centers soft and creates the best chewy cookie bar texture.
Press the dough evenly into the pan to ensure uniform baking.

How should I store sugar cookie bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They stay soft and fresh for several days.

Can I make these easy sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can bake the bars a day in advance. Frost them the day you plan to serve for best texture.

Can I freeze sugar cookie bars?
The unfrosted bars freeze very well. Thaw at room temperature, then frost before serving.

Do these taste like traditional sugar cookies?
Yes, they have the same flavor as traditional cookies, just baked in bar form for convenience.

Why use room temperature ingredients?
Using room temperature ingredients ensures smoother mixing, even baking, and a better final texture.

Can I make my cookie bars ahead of time?

Sure, you can! You can make the dough and refrigerate it for up to 3 days. When ready to bake, let it come to room temperature enough to spread evenly on your baking pan and bake.

You can also bake your bars, remove them from the pan (preferably uncut), and freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. Take them out of the freezer, let them defrost, frost them with cream cheese frosting, cut them, and enjoy!

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