Name: Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 1 h 22 min
Yield: 12
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1/2 cup powdered sugar; 2 tbsp milk; 1/4 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp baking powder; Food coloring (optional); Sprinkles (optional)

Sweet, buttery sugar cookie bars burst with nostalgic charm that reminds me of childhood afternoons in grandma’s cozy kitchen.

Memories of soft, pillowy squares dusted with sparkling sugar dance through my mind.

My family always requests these delightful treats during holiday gatherings.

Classic ingredients combine effortlessly to create a dessert everyone adores.

Mixing the dough takes mere minutes, making these bars perfect for spontaneous baking adventures.

Crisp edges and tender centers promise pure comfort in every delectable bite.

You’ll want to savor each morsel and share the joy with loved ones.

Celebrate Simplicity: These sugar cookie bars eliminate the tedious process of rolling and cutting individual cookies, making baking a breeze for everyone from novice to experienced bakers.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Perfect for potlucks, birthday parties, school events, and family gatherings, these bars deliver classic sugar cookie flavor with minimal preparation effort.
Customize with Ease: The recipe offers incredible versatility through optional food coloring in the glaze and decorative sprinkles, allowing personal creativity and seasonal theme adaptations.
Quick Clean-Up Champion: Using parchment paper for baking means easy removal and minimal pan washing, reducing post-baking kitchen cleanup time significantly.

Base Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: The fundamental dry ingredient that provides structure to the sugar cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender texture in the cookie bars.
Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the tender, soft consistency of the bars.
Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and help create a smooth, cohesive dough.

Leavening and Seasoning:

Baking Powder: Helps the cookie bars rise and creates a light, soft texture.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the bars.

Finishing Ingredients:

Vanilla Extract: Adds a classic, warm flavor to the sugar cookie bars.
Powdered Sugar, Milk: Create a smooth, sweet glaze for topping the bars.
Food Coloring, Sprinkles: Optional decorative elements to make the bars more festive and visually appealing.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F and grab your 9×13-inch baking pan. Line it with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over slightly so you can easily lift out your delicious treats later.

Step 2: Whip Up The Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend softened butter and sugar until the mixture looks super fluffy and light. Beat it well for about 3-4 minutes to get that perfect texture.

Step 3: Add Moisture And Flavor

Drop in eggs one by one, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour in vanilla extract and blend everything until it’s beautifully combined and smooth.

Step 4: Create The Dry Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together:

Flour
Salt
Baking powder

Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture until a soft, uniform dough forms.

Step 5: Spread The Love

Transfer cookie dough into your prepared pan. Use a spatula to spread the dough evenly, creating a smooth and consistent layer.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Pop the pan into the oven and bake for 18-22 minutes. You’ll know they’re ready when the edges turn a gorgeous golden brown and the center looks set but still slightly soft.

Step 7: Cool Down

Pull the pan out of the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This should take around 45 minutes.

Step 8: Craft The Glaze

Whisk powdered sugar and milk together until you get a silky smooth glaze. Add food coloring if you want to make it extra fun.

Step 9: Lift And Transfer

Use the parchment paper edges to lift the cooled cookie bars out of the pan and onto a cutting board.

Step 10: Decorate With Flair

Drizzle the glaze over the bars and immediately sprinkle with decorative sprinkles for a pop of color and texture.

Step 11: Slice And Enjoy

Cut into squares and serve at room temperature. Get ready for some serious yum!

Soften Butter Perfectly: Take butter out of the refrigerator 30-45 minutes before baking to achieve the ideal creamy texture for smooth mixing.
Control Baking Time Carefully: Check bars at 18 minutes to prevent over-browning, as oven temperatures can vary slightly between kitchen appliances.
Create Clean Cutting Lines: Use a sharp knife wiped with hot water between cuts for crisp, professional-looking sugar cookie bar squares.
Enhance Flavor Variations: Experiment with different extracts like almond or coconut to add unique subtle flavor profiles to the classic sugar cookie base.
Store Smartly for Freshness: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to maintain texture.

Lemon Zest Sugar Bars: Add 2 tablespoons fresh lemon zest to the dough for a bright, citrusy flavor that complements the sweet base.
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars: Fold 1 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips into the dough before spreading in the pan for extra richness.
Almond Crunch Bars: Mix 1/2 cup chopped almonds into the dough and sprinkle additional toasted almonds on top of the glaze for a nutty crunch.
Cinnamon Swirl Bars: Blend 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon into the dough and create a cinnamon sugar swirl before baking for a warm, spiced version.

Savor Sweet Milk Pairings: Creamy whole milk complements the sugar cookie bars' sugary profile, balancing the rich buttery texture with its smooth, cool refreshment.
Craft Complementary Coffee Companions: Robust espresso or medium-roast coffee cuts through the sweetness, offering a delightful bitter contrast that enhances the cookie bars' delicate flavors.
Elevate with Dessert Wines: Moscato d'Asti or sweet Riesling provides a light, fruity accompaniment that mirrors the sugar cookie's delicate sweetness without overwhelming the palate.
Match with Herbal Tea Blends: Chamomile or vanilla-infused tea creates a gentle, soothing backdrop that softens the cookie's sugary intensity and provides a harmonious drinking experience.

Seal cooled sugar cookie bars in an airtight container, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking. Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Wrap unglazed bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Place in freezer-safe container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before glazing and serving.
Keep glazed bars in a covered container at room temperature for 2-3 days. Place wax paper between layers to maintain texture and prevent crumbling.
Prepare bars without glaze, freeze individually wrapped, and add fresh glaze after thawing to maintain maximum freshness and optimal taste quality.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

How do I know when the sugar cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a center that’s set but still slightly soft. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Definitely! Prepare the bars up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature. The glaze can be added just before serving.

What if I don't have parchment paper?

Use aluminum foil greased with butter or cooking spray, or directly grease the baking pan. The parchment paper just helps with easy removal.

Mia Thompson

Pastry Chef & Content Creator

Expertise

Creating wholesome, seasonal desserts with a focus on nutrition.
Developing recipes on healthy baking alternatives.
Experimenting with plant-based and gluten-free recipes.

Education

Portland Community College – Baking and Pastry Arts Program
Specialized in artisanal bread, seasonal desserts, and sustainable baking methods.

National University of Natural Medicine – Bachelor of Science in Nutrition (BScN)
Focused on “Food as Medicine” philosophy, with core threads in nutrition.

Mia’s love affair with baking began in her grandmother’s kitchen, where sneaking spoonfuls of batter first sparked her curiosity. She refined her skills through Portland Community College’s Baking and Pastry Arts Program and her expertise at the National University of Natural Medicine, earning a B.Sc. in Nutrition.
At The Scrumptious Pumpkin, Mia reimagines classics with effortless seasonal treats, healthier twists on old favorites, and playful confections that feel like pure joy. Beyond the oven, she nurtures her urban garden, forages local ingredients around Portland, and leads hands‑on nutrition workshops for her community.