These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery and topped with a thick layer of creamy frosting and fun sprinkles. They’re a cozy twist on classic sugar cookies, no rolling or cookie cutters required. Each bite has that sweet sugar cookie flavor you love, baked in an easy bar form that’s perfect for the holiday season or any special occasion.
With simple ingredients, a soft crumb, and the perfect balance of sweetness, these bar cookies are easy enough for beginners and impressive enough for a bake sale or festive dessert tray.
Interesting in some more simple sugar cookie recipes? Try our Frosted Halloween Sugar Cookies or Lemon Blueberry Sugar Cookies.
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Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Soft and Tender Texture: These cookie bars bake up with moist crumbs and buttery flavor in every bite.
- No Rolling Required: Skip the cookie cutters and bake the dough in a square pan for the easiest sugar cookies ever.
- Perfect Frosting Layer: A thick, smooth buttercream frosting adds sweetness and color for a fun, bakery-style finish.
- Ideal for Sharing: Cut into squares for bake sales, cookie trays or gifts; they hold their shape beautifully.
Ingredients
With just a few simple ingredients you can whip up these cookies.
See the recipe card below for the exact quantities of each ingredient.
- Sea Salt: Enhances sweetness and balances the flavors.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and creates that classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Unsalted Butter: Adds rich flavor and moisture; make sure it’s softened before mixing for your frosting.
- Egg Yolk: Using just the yolk will keep the bars more dense and chewy.
- Icing Sugar/Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting to the right consistency.
- Whole Milk: Used to thin the frosting slightly for smooth spreading.
Grab yourself an 8x8 metal pan, parchment paper, a stand mixer (with paddle attachment), measuring cups and spoons and an offset spatula to get started.
Variations
- More Height: If you want a slightly taller, more chewy bar, add a full egg or substitute it for ⅓ cup Greek yogurt.
- Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the buttercream for cream cheese frosting for extra richness.
- Almond Extract: Add a little bit for a hint of bakery-style flavor.
- Lemon Zest: Brightens up the flavor and pairs beautifully with vanilla frosting.
- Different Colors: Use gel food coloring to tint your frosting for any theme or holiday.
How to Make Frosted Cookie Bars
With just a few easy steps you can make these frosted cookie bars for any occasion.
Preheat oven to 325F and line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper leaving the sides high to pull out easier once baked.
In a medium bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, sea salt and baking powder. Set aside.
Using a stand mixer, mix sugar and melted butter on low speed to combine.
Add in egg yolk and pure vanilla. Mix again on low for about 30 seconds, scrape down the sides as you go.
Transfer dry ingredients and run on low until the dough is fully combined (about 60 seconds). Again, scrape down the sides as needed.
With an offset spatula (or metal spoon) flatten cookie dough into prepared pan.
Bake for about 20 minutes, the edges should look set and a will toothpick come out of the center with moist crumbs.
Cool on a wire rack fully then start your frosting.
Combine icing sugar, butter and milk in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth using the paddle attachment (about 2-3 minutes).
Place dollops of frosting over cooled bars (I prefer to do this in the pan for cleaner edges), then add any sprinkles.
Slice and serve or chill for cleaner cuts.
Hint: For a bright white icing add drops of purple food coloring (I use 8 drops of a gel food coloring). Always start with less and add 2 drops at a time. If it starts to look gray, you went too far, but you can add more icing sugar to brighten it back up!
Recipe Tips
- Mix Slowly: Begin on low speed using the paddle attachment to gently combine the dry ingredients. Mix for about 60 seconds, just until everything is evenly blended.
- Scrape the Bowl: Use a rubber spatula to clean the sides of the bowl and keep the batter consistent.
- Even Layer: Spread the cookie dough evenly in your prepared pan for uniform baking and thickness.
- Cool Completely: Wait until the bars are fully cooled before frosting for the best results and smooth application.
Looking for a spooky-themed dessert? Decorate them with festive sprinkles like our Halloween Cookie Bars.
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Storage Instructions
- Countertop: Store fully cooled cookies in an airtight container for up to 5 days (best flavor 3-4), out of direct sunlight.
- Refrigerator: Keep for 5-7 days, covered with plastic wrap to prevent drying out.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted cookie bars for up to 3 months, tightly wrapped in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil or in an airtight freezer-safe container. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.
Serving Suggestions
- Simple Desserts: Enjoy other easy recipes like our Espresso Chocolate Chip Cookies, Red, White and Blue Cookies, Chocolate Cake Mix Cookies or Strawberry Rhubarb Dump Cake.
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Always start with softened butter and mix on medium speed until smooth and creamy, about 3 minutes. If the butter is too cold and begins to separate, transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl and warm it for 5-10 seconds. Then continue mixing on medium speed, repeating as needed until the texture is perfectly smooth.
Use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts or chill the frosted bars briefly before slicing.
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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
- Stand Mixer with Paddle Attachment
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- 8x8 Metal Pan
- Parchment Paper
- Offset Spatula
Ingredients
COOKIE BARS:
- 187.5 grams all-purpose flour about 1 ½ cups
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 200 grams granulated sugar about 1 cup
- 1 stick butter, unsalted melted
- 1 large egg yolk
- ½ tablespoon pure vanilla extract
FROSTING:
- 230 grams icing sugar about 2 cups
- 1 stick butter, salted softened (or unsalted)
- 1 tablespoon whole milk
- spinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325F and line an 8x8 metal baking pan with parchment paper leaving the sides high to pull out easier once baked.
- In a medium bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, sea salt and baking powder. Set aside.
- Using a stand mixer, mix sugar and melted butter on low speed to combine.
- Add in egg yolk and pure vanilla. Mix again on low for about 30 seconds, scrape down the sides as you go.
- Transfer dry ingredients and run on low until the dough is fully combined (about 60 seconds). Again, scrape down the sides as needed.
- With an offset spatula (or metal spoon) flatten cookie dough into prepared pan.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, the edges should look set and a will toothpick come out of the center with moist crumbs.
- Cool on a wire rack fully then start your frosting.
- Combine icing sugar, butter and milk in the bowl of a stand mixer until smooth using the paddle attachment (about 2-3 minutes).
- Place dollops of frosting over cooled bars (I prefer to do this in the pan for cleaner edges), then add any sprinkles if desired.
- Slice and serve or chill for cleaner cuts.
Notes
- For a bright white icing add drops of purple food coloring (I use 8 drops of a gel food coloring). Always start with less and add 2 drops at a time. If it starts to look gray, you went too far, but you can add more icing sugar to brighten it back up!
- Begin on low speed using the paddle attachment to gently combine the dry ingredients. Mix for about 60 seconds, just until everything is evenly blended.
- Use a rubber spatula to clean the sides of the bowl and keep the batter consistent.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly in your prepared pan for uniform baking and thickness.
- Wait until the bars are fully cooled before frosting for the best results and smooth application.
Nutrition
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Tina says
Love sugar cookies and this bar version is perfect and easy! Thanks for the recipe!
Eva Filer says
The pleasure is all mine! Sometimes you just gotta make bars. 🙂
Abi says
Wow, these holiday inspired sugar cookie bars looks incredible, bookmarking the recipe to make them over the weekend!
Eva Filer says
I hope you will enjoy them Abi! We have a great time decorating them with our kiddo!
Therese says
Saving these for the holidays!
Eva Filer says
Happy baking!
Stephanie says
These sugar cookie bars were so soft and buttery, just like classic Christmas cookies but without all the extra work. The frosting was sweet and festive, and the sprinkles made them so fun. I’ll definitely be making these again for holiday parties.
Eva Filer says
So glad that you enjoyed it. We love doing bars sometimes over cookies! 😀
Eva Filer says
These sugar cookie bars are incredible. We love making them and adding all kinds of fun sprinkles!