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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are one of everyone’s favorite cookies in bar form! They’re quick, and perfect for sharing.

If you like classic Sugar Cookies, you’ll love them just as much in bar form! Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert to feed a crowd since it makes a whole sheet pan full!



Is it possible NOT to love Sugar Cookies?! I think not! It’s probably my favorite cookie of all time, right up there with Chocolate Chip Cookies and Snickerdoodles.

We recently decided to try making Sugar Cookie Bars. We already have Cookie Bars and Snickerdoodle Bars, so why not have some bar form of these yummy cookies?!

We’re so glad we tried them because they have since become a family go-to for so many functions.

Sheet Pan Cookie Bars are more simple than rolling out, cutting, and frosting each cookie. These bars also feed quite a crowd.

They’re great for any function and can be customized with frosting and sprinkles for any holiday. They’d be perfect with heart sprinkles for Valentine’s day, or you could make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars by frosting with red or green buttercream!

As mentioned, these Frosted Cookie Bars are easier to make than cookies since no rolling or cutting out is needed. They’re also easier to frost than individually frosting each Sugar Cookie (even if they’re so worth it)!

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!!

PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F.

WET INGREDIENTS. Beat cream cheese, butter, sugar, and egg for a few minutes until well blended and frothy. Add the vanilla and almond extract and mix well.

DRY INGREDIENTS. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder, and baking soda – mix well. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for a few minutes. 

BAKE. Pour into a 9×13 pan (lined with parchment paper if desired) and bake for 18-20 minutes.

FROST + DECORATE! Once the cake is cool, add frosting. To make, beat ½ cup butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, almond extract, and milk and mix until well combined. Add any food coloring if desired. Frost the bars and top with sprinkles.

Cookie Bar Tips

Tips for making perfect Sugar Cookie Bars:

  • Thoroughly beat the butter and sugar. This will take 2-3 minutes.
  • Line the pan with parchment paper. This will make removing the cookie bars so much easier.
  • Spray cooking spray on your hands and press the dough evenly onto the sheet.
  • Watch carefully and DO NOT over-bake the cookies. If anything, under-bake and allow them to finish baking in the pan.

Using softened butter is key so that both the cookie dough and the frosting will have the correct texture. Place the butter on the counter 30-60 minutes before making the cookie bars. Or use this post How to Soften Butter Quickly to speed up the process. 

More Tips

Frosting. Let the cookie cool completely before frosting, or the frosting will just melt.

Sprinkles are a classic topping for any Sugar Cookie. You can use rainbow jimmies, colored confetti, or holiday-themed sprinkles. Alternative toppings: chopped nuts, chocolate chips, mini M&M’s, or chopped candy bars. 

Clean cuts. Once the frosting has been applied, stick the pan in the fridge to set the frosting. This will help make the bars easier and cleaner to cut.

  • Lift the entire Cookie Bar out of the pan. Not having the sides of the pan in the way, will help make even, straight cuts. Use a large sharp knife and wipe the blade clean after each cut.

Storing Info

Make ahead of time. Make the dough ahead of time to bake later. Here is what we suggest:

  • Room temperature: cover the bowl of batter and store for 2-4 hours.
  • Refrigerator: roll the dough into a thick log shape. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for 3-5 days.
  • Freezer: roll the dough into a thick log shape. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and again with aluminum foil. Label and freeze for about 6 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the recipe instructions to bake.

STORE baked Cookie Bars in the baking pan, and cover with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Store at room temperature for 3-5 days. To help keep the cookies stay fresh, don’t cut until you’re ready to serve.

Store leftover cookies, layered, in an airtight container.

FREEZE baked cookies. Cut them into squares. If they are frosted, flash freeze to set the frosting. Layer the bars in a freezer-safe airtight container. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper. Freeze for 3-6 months.

Frosted sugar cookie bars stacked and covered with sprinkles.

For more Sugar Cookies, check out:

4.90 from 28 votes

Sugar Cookie Bars

By: Lil’ Luna
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are one of everyone's favorite cookies in bar form! They're quick, and perfect for sharing.
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-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • To make the bars, beat sugar, butter, cream cheese and egg together with a hand mixer in a medium bowl until well blended and a bit frothy, 2–3 minutes.
  • Add vanilla and almond extracts and mix well.
  • In a separate bowl, mix flour, baking soda and baking powder.
  • Add flour mixture to butter mixture and beat for a few minutes. Pour into a prepared pan and bake for 18–20 minutes. Let cool.
  • While the cake is cooling, make frosting by beating together powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla and almond extracts until well combined, starting with 3 tablespoons milk and adding more as needed to reach the desired texture. Add food coloring.
  • Spread over cooled cake and top with sprinkles.

Video

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
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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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Recipe Rating




59 Comments

  1. 2 stars
    Super disappointed! The consistency of these is nothing close to sugar cookies, they’re more like a fluffy cake. It took about 30-35 minutes to fully cook – I had to cover the top with tin foil so they didn’t burn, as they were already super dark. Not at all what I was hoping for. Bummer, because they were easy to make and tasted decent.

  2. 5 stars
    These are great when you need to make a large batch of sugar cookies. The recipe is quick and easy and the almond flavor in them makes them sooo good!! I use this recipe often for large parties or gatherings. My oldest often chooses these Sugar Cookie Bars for his birthday dessert!!

  3. 5 stars
    I have made this recipe several times. It is so much easier than traditional sugar cookies, but just as yummy. It’s easy to adapt to different holidays with different colored frosting and sprinkles. This recipe is a keeper!

  4. 5 stars
    These are delicious! My husband requests these often, they are his favorite! They are perfect to bring to get togethers too, everyone raves about them!

  5. 5 stars
    One of our families favorites! These bars tastes amazing and so soft! Everything you love about sugar cookies, but easier!!!

    1. Your recipe calls for a 9×13 pan, but the picture shows this recipe baked in a 12×17 jelly roll pan, which is what I would like to do. Double the recipe?

  6. 5 stars
    I made these a few nights ago. They were wonderful. My husband liked them so well that he asked for the recipe to share with others too! Also, one of my kids noted that he liked them better a day or two after they were made. I agree that they’re even better when they’ve had a bit of time to sit. Thanks for the great recipe 😁

    1. You are so welcome! I’m so happy you like them as much as we do! I agree – they are even better after sitting for a bit. 🙂

  7. 5 stars
    I LOVE LOVE WATCHING ALL LIL LUNA’S RECIPES & HOME DECOR, CRAFT’S & YES YOUR CHILDREN ARE SO CUTE‼️ ENJOY THE GOOD REAL EVERYDAY LIVING LIFE ECT ECT ECT‼️ KEEP UP THE GREAT JOB 😊