Sugar Cookie Bars
This Sugar Cookie Recipe stands the test of time. Crisp on the outside, but buttery soft on the inside, this is a family favorite!
Servings: 24 cookie bars
Ingredients
For Cookie Bars
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk room temperature
- red food coloring
- sprinkles
Instructions
Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Spray a 9 by 13 inch baking dish with cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon salt
- With your mixer on medium, mix together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 to 6 minutes.1 1/2 cups sugar, 14 tablespoons unsalted butter
- Mix in the eggs (one at a time) and then the vanilla until well combined.2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 2 large eggs
- Add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients. Mix on low until combined enough that it won't fly everywhere. Then turn up the mixer to high just long enough that you don't see streaks of flour. Scrape down the bowl and on the bottom to ensure that all the flour is added. Only mix long enough to combine the flour. (See more detailed instructions in the post.)
- Press the batter into the prepared baking dish. The dough will be thick and sticky. This may make it difficult to press it into the baking dish. You can spray your hands with cooking spray or wet them with water to make this easier.
- Bake for 25 to 27 minutes or until the edges are golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for 1 hour.
Frosting
- Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer beat the butter. Add in 1 cup of the powdered sugar, scraping down the bowl as necessary.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- Beat in the milk and the vanilla extract.2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/4 cup milk
- Add the powdered sugar in a cup at a time until you get the consistency you are looking for. I used 4 1/2 cups.
- Finally add in the red food coloring, a few drops at a time, until you get the color you are looking for.red food coloring
Frosting the Bars
- As soon as you are done making the frosting, spread it on the cooled bars. An offset spatula works best to create a nice even layer.
- Immediately after spreading the frosting, add the sprinkles before the frosting begins to harden.sprinkles
- Cut the bars into 24 equal squares.
Storing
- For best presentation of frosting, do not stack the cookie bars, but store them in single layers.