Cozy Soft Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft, tender sugar cookie bars with a buttery crumb and smooth, creamy vanilla frosting, perfect for back-to-school treats or cozy snacks.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 28 minutes
- Total Time: 43 minutes
- Yield: 12-16 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (110g) packed brown sugar
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 3 cups (375g) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (120-160g) powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk (for frosting)
- Optional sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease or line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and 1/2 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Scrape down the bowl halfway for even mixing.
- Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, then 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract until creamy and smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
- Spread dough evenly in the prepared pan using a spatula or lightly floured hands, smoothing the top.
- Bake for 25-28 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Avoid overbaking.
- Cool completely on a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes before frosting.
- For the frosting, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 3-4 cups powdered sugar, alternating with 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk, beating until fluffy and spreadable. Stir in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Adjust cream or sugar for desired consistency.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Add sprinkles if desired.
- Slice into 12-16 bars using a sharp knife warmed under hot water and dried to prevent crumbling.
- Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
Notes
Do not overbake to keep bars soft. Let bars cool completely before frosting to avoid melting. Use a warm knife to slice bars cleanly. For gluten-free, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend and ensure baking powder is gluten-free. For dairy-free frosting, use vegan butter and dairy-free milk like coconut or almond milk.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 12 s
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 22
- Fat: 15
- Carbohydrates: 35
- Protein: 2
Keywords: sugar cookie bars, soft cookie bars, frosted sugar bars, back-to-school treats, easy cookie bars, vanilla frosting, soft cookies