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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
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★★★★★

5 from 20 reviews

These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and packed with fun rainbow sprinkles both inside and on top. Topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream frosting, they are the perfect treat for celebrations or anytime you want a sweet indulgence. Easy to make with simple ingredients, these cookies bars combine the classic flavors of sugar cookies and rich frosting in a convenient bar form.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars

  • 1/2 cup (8 Tbsp; 113g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 1 and 1/2 cups (188g) all-purpose flour (spooned & leveled)
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1/2 cup (80g) rainbow sprinkles (not nonpareils)

Frosting

  • 3/4 cup (12 Tbsp; 170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
  • 2 and 1/4 cups (270g) confectioners’ sugar
  • 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream or half-and-half
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Salt, to taste
  • Optional: food coloring (1 drop red for pink frosting)
  • Optional: extra sprinkles for decorating on top

Instructions

  1. Make the bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal, and set it aside.
  2. Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment to cream the softened butter on medium speed for about 1 minute until smooth. Add the granulated sugar and continue beating until the mixture is light and fluffy. Then beat in the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
  3. Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cornstarch until fully combined.
  4. Mix dry and wet ingredients: With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in three parts until fully combined. The dough will be quite thick. Gently fold in the 1/2 cup of rainbow sprinkles using a silicone spatula or mix on low speed.
  5. Bake the cookie bars: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-26 minutes or until the top is just lightly browned; do not overbake as the bars are meant to be extra soft. Cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature. The center may sink slightly, which is normal.
  6. Make the frosting: Using a mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. Add the confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream or half-and-half, and vanilla extract while mixing on low speed. Gradually increase to high speed and beat for 3 minutes until creamy and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding more sugar if too thin or more cream if too thick. Add a pinch of salt (between 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon) if frosting tastes too sweet. Add food coloring if desired.
  7. Frost and decorate: Lift the cooled cookie bars out of the pan using the foil overhang. Spread a thick layer of frosting evenly over the bars. Decorate with extra sprinkles if you like. Use a very sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts, to slice into squares.
  8. Storage: Store these sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days for best freshness and texture.

Notes

  • Use softened butter for best creaming results.
  • Do not overbake to keep bars soft and chewy.
  • Rainbow sprinkles should not be nonpareils as the latter can bleed color.
  • For a thinner frosting layer, halve the frosting ingredients.
  • Adjust frosting consistency by adding more powdered sugar or cream as needed.
  • Food coloring is optional and can be customized to your preference.
  • Wiping the knife clean between cuts ensures neat, even slices.
  • These bars keep well refrigerated and may be brought back to room temperature before serving for softer texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookie bars, frosted cookie bars, rainbow sprinkle cookies, vanilla frosting bars, easy baked treats

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