Soft Buttery Sugar Cookie Bars (Printable version)
Soft, buttery bars with creamy vanilla frosting. Perfect for parties and celebrations.
# What You’ll Need:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
02 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
03 - 1 large egg
04 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
→ Creamy Frosting
08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk
11 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
12 - Pinch of salt
13 - Food coloring (optional)
14 - Sprinkles for decoration (optional)
# How to Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing edges to extend over sides for easy removal later.
02 - In a large mixing bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Beat in egg and vanilla extract until fully incorporated and smooth.
04 - In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined. Avoid overmixing to prevent tough texture.
06 - Transfer dough to prepared pan. Press evenly across bottom using hands or spatula, creating a smooth, uniform layer.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center appears set. Remove from oven before overbaking to maintain soft texture. Cool completely in pan.
08 - While bars cool, beat softened butter in clean bowl until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, beating until smooth and spreadable.
09 - Mix in vanilla extract and salt. Add food coloring drop by drop if desired, mixing until uniform color achieved.
10 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled cookie bars using offset spatula. Add sprinkles immediately while frosting is soft.
11 - Using parchment overhang, lift bars from pan. Cut into 24 equal squares with sharp knife. Wipe blade between cuts for clean edges.
# Expert tips:
01 -
- Soft, buttery bars stay fresh longer than individual cookies and never overbake around the edges
- The frosting-to-cookie ratio is absolutely perfect in every single bite
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy because these bars continue cooking as they cool in the pan
- Room temperature ingredients make all the difference between a dense bar and a tender one
03 -
- Use the parchment overhang like handles to lift the entire batch out before cutting
- Chill the frosted bars for 15 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges