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The Ultimate Soft & Chewy Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars (Year-Round Recipe)

A close-up view of a single, soft sugar cookie bars square topped with thick white frosting.
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Make these easy sugar cookie bars for a simple, soft, and chewy dessert. This recipe skips the cookie cutters and delivers bakery style cookie bars topped with classic vanilla buttercream frosting, perfect for any occasion.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • For the Frosting: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step helps create soft frosted cookie bars.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix only until just combined. Do not overmix your dough.
  6. Press the sugar cookie bar dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. The bars should still look soft.
  8. Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting.
  9. To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk or cream until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency for your buttercream topped bars. Add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
  10. Spread the vanilla buttercream evenly over the cooled sugar cookie squares.
  11. Cut into squares and serve your quick dessert bars.

Notes

  • For a slightly tangy topping, substitute the vanilla extract in the frosting with 1 teaspoon of almond extract for a bakery style sugar cookie square flavor.
  • If you want make ahead dessert bars, you can bake the bars and store them unfrosted at room temperature for up to two days. Frost just before serving.
  • For kid friendly cookie bars, use food coloring in the frosting and add festive sprinkles immediately after spreading.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://pureplatepath.com/sugar-cookie-bars-soft-chewy-frosted-recipe/