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This list of dessert bar recipes has it all from brownies and beyond – chocolatey, fruity, cookie-based, cakey, frosted, and more!

More Collections: Cookie Bar Recipes, Brownie Recipes, Chocolate Cake Recipes

So Many Bar Recipes to Love!

When you think of bar desserts, brownies come to mind, but there are so many delicious variations. There are dessert bar recipes for everyone!

Frosted or candy-filled, graham crackers or cookie-based, or fruity, dessert bars can take on any flavor profile, but are always mouth-wateringly good!

Why we love them:

  • Easy. All of our tasty recipes whip up in a flash, and all are just as tasty.
  • For sharing. Bar treats are perfect for sharing and can feed a crowd.
  • Variety. From fruity to chocolatey, cookie-based to oat-based. There’s something for everyone!
Monster cookie bars cut and stacked on wax paper.

Dessert Bar Tips

  • Use quality ingredients.
  • Mixing. Beat the eggs and sugar well. Sift the dry ingredients in a separate bowl to get rid of any lumps and help the dry ingredients incorporate better with the wet ingredients so that you don’t over-mix. 
  • Don’t overbake.
  • Butter. Many recipes call for softened butter. Our How to Soften Butter Quickly post can give you tips to do so. 
  • Cutting. It can be fairly tricky to get these delicious bites out of the pan without mutilating any of the pieces. Let them cool and set before cutting.
    • Line the pan with parchment paper or foil. 
    • Allow the treat to cool before removing it from the pan.
    • A plastic knife slices right through unfrosted treats.
    • Use a large sharp knife to cut treats with toppings. Make downward cuts and gently lift. Don’t use a sawing motion. Wipe the blade clean after each cut.
  • Double it. Most recipes can be doubled for extra treats. An 8×8 pan recipe can be doubled and baked in a 9×13 pan or make a batch to eat now and save the extra batch to freeze for later.
Millionaire Bars stacked on a white cake stand.

How to Display Bars at Parties

  • Stacks. Some dessert bars are a little more firm and can be stacked, like Cookie Bars. These are great to stack on trays or platters.
  • Single layers. Softer bars, frosted bars, and fruit bars like Key Lime Bars need to be set out in a single layer or on tiered display trays.
  • Easy access. Be sure the dessert bar recipes can be accessed from any angle and there is enough space for traffic to flow easily around the table. Remove chairs and other obstacles from around the table.
  • Visually appealing. Make the display visually appealing with low and high displays. Decide on a theme and incorporate the colors, patterns, and decorations throughout the display table. Don’t add lit candles to the table as sleeves can catch all too easily.
  • Use identification cards. Label the name of each dessert and even include if an item is gluten-free, dairy-free, or contains nuts. I’ve even seen name cards that also have a QR code that leads you to the recipe.

Our Go-To Dessert Bars

From coconut to chocolate chips, some of the best dessert recipes come in bar form and these happen to be our favorite picks!

1 Cookie Bars Recipe

Dessert Cookie Bars Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

4.93 from 89 votes
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2 Scotcheroos Recipe

Dessert Scotcheroos Recipe
Total Time: 20 minutes

Recipe Video

4.97 from 406 votes
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3 Sugar Cookie Bars

Dessert Sugar Cookie Bars
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

4.90 from 28 votes
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4 7 Layer Bars Recipe

Dessert 7 Layer Bars Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 55 votes
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5 M&M Chocolate Bars Recipe

Dessert M&M Chocolate Bars Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 76 votes
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6 Lemon Bar Recipe

Dessert Lemon Bar Recipe
Total Time: 50 minutes

Recipe Video

4.99 from 137 votes
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7 Magic Bars Recipe

Dessert Magic Bars Recipe
Total Time: 44 minutes
5 from 12 votes

8 Banana Bars Recipe

Dessert Banana Bars Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 30 votes
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9 Churro Cheesecake Bars

Dessert Churro Cheesecake Bars
Total Time: 35 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 241 votes
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10 Millionaire Bars Recipe

Dessert Millionaire Bars Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
4.77 from 17 votes
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More Dessert Bar Ideas

We just can’t get enough of these dessert bar recipes with candy bar pieces and buttery shortbread crust!

11 Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe

Breakfast, Dessert Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe
Total Time: 25 minutes
5 from 13 votes
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12 Reese’s Pieces Bars Recipe

Dessert Reese’s Pieces Bars Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 19 votes
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13 Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe

Dessert Peanut Butter Cookie Bars Recipe
Total Time: 30 minutes
5 from 16 votes
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14 Oh Henry Bars Recipe

Dessert Oh Henry Bars Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 30 minutes
5 from 7 votes
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15 Monster Cookie Bars Recipe

Dessert Monster Cookie Bars Recipe
Total Time: 35 minutes
5 from 9 votes
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16 Almond Toffee Bars Recipe

Dessert Almond Toffee Bars Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 40 minutes
5 from 3 votes
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17 Pecan Pie Bars Recipe

Dessert Pecan Pie Bars Recipe
Total Time: 1 hour

Recipe Video

5 from 155 votes
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18 Popcorn Bars Recipe

Dessert Popcorn Bars Recipe
Total Time: 12 minutes
5 from 2 votes
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19 No-Bake Cheesecake Bars Recipe

Dessert No-Bake Cheesecake Bars Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
4.86 from 14 votes
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20 Pumpkin Bars Recipe

Dessert Pumpkin Bars Recipe
Total Time: 45 minutes
5 from 10 votes
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21 Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Dessert Pumpkin Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 33 minutes
5 from 20 votes
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fruity Dessert Bars

Nothing beats a graham cracker crust or cookie dough crust paired with a fruity filling or topping and these recipes are sure to be a hit!

22 Strawberry Shortcake Bars Recipe

Dessert Strawberry Shortcake Bars Recipe
Total Time: 3 hours 25 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 68 votes
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23 Cherry Bars Recipe

Dessert Cherry Bars Recipe
Total Time: 43 minutes

Recipe Video

4.98 from 46 votes
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24 Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe

Dessert Key Lime Pie Bars Recipe
Total Time: 4 hours 40 minutes
5 from 48 votes
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25 Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe

Dessert Lemon Cream Cheese Bars Recipe
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
5 from 8 votes
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26 Peach Bars Recipe

Dessert Peach Bars Recipe
Total Time: 55 minutes
4.92 from 23 votes
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27 Lemon Bars with Cake Mix Recipe

Dessert Lemon Bars with Cake Mix Recipe
Total Time: 47 minutes

Recipe Video

5 from 106 votes
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28 Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Bars

Dessert Strawberry Cream Cheese Dessert Bars
Total Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
5 from 11 votes
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If you like classic Sugar Cookies, you’ll love them just as much in bar form!

Not going to lie, this recipe calls for quite a bit of butter and cream cheese which is probably why they are so good, but trust me on this – they’re delicious, and you’ll love them!!

Here is the recipe:

No ratings yet

20+ Dessert Bar Recipes

By: Lil’ Luna
This list of dessert bar recipes has it all from brownies and beyond – chocolatey, fruity, cookie-based, cakey, frosted, and more!
Servings: 15
Prep: 15 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Total: 35 minutes

Ingredients 

Bars

  • cups sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 (8-ounce_ package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting

  • cups powdered sugar
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • food coloring optional
  • sprinkles for topping (optional)

Instructions 

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
  • Grease a 9×13 baking dish and set aside.
  • With a hand mixer, beat sugar, butter, cream cheese, and egg until well blended and a bit frothy, which should be about 2–3 minutes.
  • Add in the vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
  • In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and baking powder.
  • Incorporate the flour mixture into the butter mixture and beat for a few minutes. Pour into the greased baking dish and bake for 18–20 minutes. Let cool.
  • To make the frosting, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and almond extracts until well combined, starting with 3 tablespoons of milk and adding more as needed to reach the desired texture. Add food coloring.
  • Spread over cooled cake and top with sprinkles.

Notes

Make Ahead: Make the bars as instructed, but do not frost. Store, covered tightly with plastic wrap, on the counter for 1 day or in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Frost before serving. Frosting can also be made up to 24 hours ahead of time and stored, covered, in the refrigerator; it will need to be re-whipped before spreading on the bars.

Nutrition

Serving: 1bar, Calories: 373kcal, Carbohydrates: 56g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 16g, Saturated Fat: 10g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 4g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 52mg, Sodium: 82mg, Potassium: 59mg, Fiber: 0.4g, Sugar: 44g, Vitamin A: 494IU, Calcium: 24mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Making this recipe? Tag us!
Share it with us on Instagram using the hashtag #lilluna, so we can see what you’re creating in the kitchen!

Sweets for a Crowd!

Whether you’re looking for a dessert for a special meal or an everyday treat, you’re sure to find some tasty recipes that you will come back to again and again!

Be sure to check out all of our Brownie and Bar Recipes!

More Collections: Easy Cake Recipes, Cakes That Feed a Crowd, Cobbler Recipes

About Kristyn

My name is Kristyn and I’m the mom of SIX stinkin’ cute kids and the wife to my smokin’ hot hubby, Lo. My mom’s maiden name is Luna, and I’m one of the many crafty “Lil’ Lunas” in the fam. On this site I like to share all things creative - from recipes to home decor to gifts and home decor ideas. Welcome!

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8 Comments

  1. Omg, all of these are amazing!!! The 7 layer bars and lemon bars are some of my favs, I can’t wait to try them all!!

  2. Awesome collection of recipes and tips. I always bring bars to gatherings. I made the Millionaire Bars (which were delicious) and I can’t wait to make more!

  3. I have 6 siblings and between us we have 18 children and I have found that dessert bars are the way to go. I’ve already made the strawberry dessert bars, which were a hit, and can’t wait to try out the others.