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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 58 reviews

These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars offer a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies with a soft, buttery base topped with a smooth, creamy vanilla and cream cheese frosting. Perfectly baked and cut into bars, they make an ideal treat for gatherings or a sweet everyday indulgence.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars

  • 3/4 cup (1.5 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 2/3 cups granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • A pinch of salt
  • 3 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat and Prepare Baking Dish: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper or spray it with non-stick spray to ensure the cookie bars don’t stick.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until well combined. Sift in the powdered sugar and beat again until the mixture is light and fluffy, which creates a tender texture.
  3. Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until the batter is smooth and evenly mixed. This adds flavor and richness to the dough.
  4. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisk these dry ingredients to ensure they are evenly distributed.
  5. Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients: Pour the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients and beat until just combined. Then use your hands to press and bring the dough fully together.
  6. Press Dough and Bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared baking dish, creating a uniform layer. Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges puff up and the top starts to crack, indicating it’s done.
  7. Cool the Bars: Remove the baking dish from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely before frosting. To speed up cooling, you can place the dish in the refrigerator.
  8. Prepare the Frosting: Beat the softened butter and cream cheese together until light and fluffy for a smooth base. Add the vanilla extract and a pinch of salt, mixing until well combined.
  9. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually sift in the powdered sugar, about a cup at a time, beating well after each addition until the frosting is smooth and fluffy.
  10. Frost and Serve: If you used parchment paper, lift the cooled cookie bars out of the pan; if not, keep them in the pan. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the bars. Cut into 12 equal-sized pieces and serve.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter and egg are at room temperature for the best creaming results, which helps yield a tender texture.
  • You can speed up cooling by refrigerating the bars before frosting.
  • Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.
  • These bars can be served chilled or at room temperature, depending on personal preference.

Keywords: sugar cookie bars, frosted cookie bars, cream cheese frosting, easy dessert, baked cookie bars, vanilla sugar bars

Find it online: https://ricoloranz.com/frosted-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/