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Frosted sugar cookie bars are one of everyone’s favorite cookies in bar form! They’re ready in 30 minutes, and perfect for sharing.

Several pink frosted sugar cookie bars stacked.

Is it possible NOT to love Sugar Cookies?! It’s probably our favorite cookie of all time. These sugar cookie bars take our favorite cookie and make it even easier!

They are simpler than rolling out, cutting, and frosting each cookie. There’s no need to chill and they’re ready to dive into in only 30 minutes!

They’re also great for feeding a crowd. We make them ALL of the time – for any function, holiday, or family gathering, and we always come home with an empty pan!

For more favorite bars, check out our: Famous Cookie Bars, 7 Layer Bars and M&M Chocolate Oat Bars.

WHY WE LOVE IT:

  • No rolling, no chilling. You get the same sugar cookie taste with half of the work!
  • Feeds a crowd. It makes a whole sheet pan and can be cut into large or small pieces.
  • For any occasion. Customize with frosting and sprinkles for any holiday!
A mixer with two butter and sugar.

Ingredients

Bars

  • 1¼ cups sugar
  • ¾ cup unsalted butter softened How to Soften Butter Quickly
  • 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 1 egg room temperature
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon almond extract
  • 1¾ cups all-purpose flour How to Measure Flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting

  • 3½ cups powdered sugar sifted
  • ½ cup unsalted butter softened
  • 3-4 tablespoons milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • ½ teaspoon almond extract
  • food coloring – optional
  • sprinkles for topping, optional rainbow jimmies, colored confetti, holiday-themed sprinkles, chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or mini M&M’s
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  1. PREP. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Grease a metal 9-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside, or Line the Pan with Parchment Paper.
  2. BATTER. Beat 1¼ cups sugar, ¾ cup butter, 8 ounces cream cheese, and 1 egg with a hand mixer in a medium bowl until well blended and a bit frothy, 2–3 minutes. Add 1 tablespoon vanilla and 1 teaspoon almond extracts and mix well.
    • In a separate bowl, mix 1¾ cups flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, and 1 teaspoon baking powder. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for a few minutes.
  3. BAKE. Pour into a 9×13 pan and bake for 18-20 minutes. Let cool.
  4. FROSTING. Beat 3½ cups powdered sugar, ½ cup butter, 3 tablespoons milk, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, and ½ teaspoon almond extract until well combined. If needed add 1 tablespoon more of milk to reach the desired texture. Add food coloring. Spread over cooled cake and top with sprinkles.
Sugar cookie bars with spatula near it on parchment paper.
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 ready in 30 minutes, 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°F. Grease a metal 9-x-13-inch baking dish and set aside.
  • To make the bars, beat sugar, butter, cream cheese, and egg 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.

Frosting

  • Beating powdered sugar, butter, milk, vanilla, and almond extracts until well combined. Start with 3 tablespoons of milk, adding more as needed to reach the desired texture. Add food coloring.
  • Spread over cooled cake and top with sprinkles.

Video

Notes

Store the dough. Roll the dough into a log shape. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 days or wrap again with foil and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the recipe instructions to bake.
Store the bars. Cover the pan with plastic or foil and store at room temperature for 3-5 days or freeze for 3-6 months. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper.

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.

Recipe FAQ

How to store the dough?

Roll the dough into a log shape. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3 days or wrap again with foil and freeze for 3-4 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and follow the recipe instructions to bake.

How to store sugar cookie bars?

Store. Cover the pan with plastic or foil and store at room temperature for 3-5 days.
Freeze. Flash freeze to set the frosting then layer the bars in a freezer-safe container. Separate layers with wax or parchment paper, and freeze for 3-6 months.

About Kristyn

Kristyn Merkley is a published cookbook author, wife, mom of six, and major food enthusiast! For the past 15 years, she has been sharing foolproof, family-friendly recipes—each one tested in her kitchen—that anyone can master. As a seasoned recipe creator, she loves making cooking simple, stress-free, and totally doable for everyone!

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4.90 from 28 votes (11 ratings without comment)

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Recipe Rating




59 Comments

  1. Erica says:

    How would I convert this recipe if I wanted to use a sheet pan instead of a 9×13?

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      You could make 1.5 batches of the recipe and it should fill a sheet pan (13×18) just fine!

  2. Lauren says:

    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.

    1. Lil'Luna Team says:

      Thanks so much for the feedback and for giving the recipe a try!

  3. Shalese says:

    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!!

  4. Kristin Brown says:

    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!

  5. Stephanie says:

    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!

  6. Whitney S says:

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

    1. Peggy Oloumi says:

      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?

  7. Cynthia Spears says:

    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. LilLunaTeam says:

      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. 🙂

  8. Theresa Walters says:

    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 😊

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Awe, thank you so much!!

  9. K duncan says:

    5 stars
    Love these. So yumny

  10. Lori says:

    5 stars
    These are so easy to make and everyone loves them!!

  11. Nicole says:

    5 stars
    Love that these are so quick.

  12. Peggy says:

    Have not made these yet. Have read and Re-read Top to bOttom. Nowhere do i find the size pan yoi used. Im assUming its a jelly roll pan; but would be nice to have that info listed in the Recipe. Also, in the Execution hints at the BegInning, you say to beat sugar and butter together for 3 minutes. But beliw, your recipe instructions say to beat sugar, butter, eggs, and cream cheese all at once. Which is it?

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Yes, a jelly roll pan works best & follow the recipe card 🙂 Hope you like them!

  13. Misty says:

    5 stars
    These are SUPer YUMMY! My kids and their friends like to make them.

  14. Olivia says:

    5 stars
    I love these sugar cookie bars. There so much easier than regular sugar cookies and the taste is the same!

  15. Amy L Huntley says:

    5 stars
    Sugar Cookie Bars are my very favorite! This recipe is going to be added to my recipe book for sure!

  16. Wynter Ogilvie says:

    Why did you change your sugar cookie bar recipe? The other version was PERfection!?!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      Always changing recipes around here..these are great too 😉

  17. Becca says:

    5 stars
    Perfect for summer parties and potlucks!

  18. Kristina says:

    5 stars
    I like sugar cookies, but never make them because they take so long. I was happy to find your sugar cookie bar Recipe. SaMe great taste without the effort of traditional sugar cookies.

  19. Joy says:

    5 stars
    I love taking this recipe to any gathering! It feeds so many, is soft, & always a hit!! I love how creamy & smooth the frosting is, too!

  20. Tracy says:

    Am going to make these. Do they need to be refrigerated?
    Thanks!

    1. Kristyn Merkley says:

      No, they don’t need to 🙂 Enjoy!

  21. Ana Maria says:

    5 stars
    Yumm! These look devine

  22. wynter says:

    I just wanted to say thank you so much for this recipe. I have been making these for several years now, probably since you posted it, and we LOVE it! Thank you!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      Thank you so much for stopping by to leave a comment. I’m so glad you like these bars. They’re definitely ones of our favorites too. 🙂

  23. Holly says:

    Hi! I was just wondering if you make these in a 10×15 pan or a bigger sized jelly roll pan than that? I just made them and they were really good but I was just curious as to if I used the right sized pan. I also added almond extract to the frosting and it was really good! Thanks!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      I use the 10×15 size and it usually works great. 🙂 SO glad you liked them too!

  24. Laurie @ A Wiener Dog in the Kitchen says:

    What is it about pink frosting and sprinkles that just mesmerizes me? Sugar Cookie Bars are one of my all-time favorite cookies to make. They’re so much easier than making rolled cookies and the texture and the smooth creamy buttercream frosting just sends me to the moon. You just reminded me that I need to make these… Thank you!!

  25. Meredith @ Wait Til Your Father Gets Home says:

    Just made these and they are DELICIOUS! Thanks for sharing the recipe!!

    1. Lil' Luna says:

      YAY! So glad you liked them! Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by. 🙂

  26. Natasha says:

    These look so nice!! your newest follower!!

    Natasha xx

  27. Melissa @ Love Bug Living says:

    These looks great! I made myself cookies for my birthday. So much better than cake, plus you can still have the frosting!

  28. Michelle says:

    Happy Belated Birthday Kristyn! Sounds like you had a blast! Enjoy your week 🙂

    Michelle

  29. Kassi @ Truly Lovely says:

    Happy Belated Birthday girl!!! Sounds like hubs did a great job!!! 😉 And the fun polkadot stuff!?! You lucky lady!

  30. Heather @ Creative Preschool Resources says:

    Happy birthday! Those look SO GOOD! Glad you had a great day!

  31. Eva Scott says:

    Happy Birthday!! The 9th is my birthday too. I turned 32. 😉

  32. Alecia Leigh says:

    happy birthday… it was my birthday too yesterday! 🙂

  33. What a thoughtful and lovely gift from your hubs! The cookie bars look amazing too!

  34. Mary says:

    Yours rolled sugar cookies are our all time favorite so I am looking forward to trying these.

    Happy Birthday

  35. Vanessa @ {nifty thrifty things} says:

    Grr! I was trying so hard to make it over here to wish you a Happy Birthday on your actual Birthday.. And now it’s a day late. 🙁
    Buuut, Happy Birthday, girl!!
    It sounds like you had an amazing day. What a sweet husband to arrange a fun day for you! 😉
    Hugs to you!
    Vanessa

  36. Lisa says:

    Happy Birthday Kristyn! As one of your blog followers I just wanted to wish you all the best for your special day … and being a fair bit older than you I just wanted to let you know that your 30s is a great place to be … so enjoy and embrace it all. You’ve done a great job here and should be proud of all your successes … family and work wise. Here’s to you sweetie (insert digbat drink here! lol)

  37. Laura Beth says:

    HAPPY Birthday!!!!! It sounds like it got off to a GREAT start, and I hope it just got better as the day went on :o)

  38. Lolly Jane says:

    Lorin is SOOO cute!! I love the polka dot hanger, what a stud
    Happy birthday to our good friend!! We love you!
    xoxo

  39. Michelle says:

    Happy birthday! And can I just say how super impressed I am with your husband’s creativity. And who doesn’t love polka dots? Looks like a fun day.

  40. Holly and Nat @ My Sister's Suitcase says:

    Happy Birthday Kristyn! What a thoughtful hubby you have! Mine would never get that “cutesy” with my gifts… but I’d enjoy the gift cards all the same 🙂 Hope you have an amazing day, sounds like you will! A day without kids is always a nice break for us moms 🙂 You have been such an inspiration to us, we love ya!

  41. Maureen says:

    Happy Birthday!! It sounds like you have a very lovely and caring family and I am glad they are making the day special for you! Enjoy it!

  42. Lisa Lisa says:

    Happy Birthday! You are one lucky girl! Love that gift from your hubby 🙂 And I can’t wait to try the sugar cookie bars!

  43. Lindsay says:

    Happy Birthday, sweet Kristyn! So glad you were spoiled by your family–you deserve it!

  44. Liz Tuggle says:

    Happy Birthday!!!

  45. Katie {Sweet Rose Studio} says:

    Happy birthday Kristyn! I am SO glad you get to have a super fun day with Lo and I love the gift he got for you. He’s a keeper!