Oh, boy, do I have a treat for you today! I’m super excited to share my recipe for **Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars**. These delightful bars have a soft, chewy base packed with sweet sprinkles and are topped with a creamy, dreamy frosting. Honestly, what’s not to love?
The first time I made these, it was for a friend’s birthday party. I decided to branch out a little from my usual chocolate chip cookies, and let me tell you, these sugar cookie bars were a hit! I think it was the glorious sprinkles that caught everyone’s eyes, not to mention the fact they were so easy to cut and share. They remind me of sunny days at the local birthday parties where everyone could just dive into a pan of sweetness. So gather your ingredients and let’s bake these beauties together!
What’s in Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars?
Let’s break down the fabulous ingredients that make these bars such a joy to eat!
Unsalted Butter: We’re using a mix of butter for both the bars and frosting. Make sure it’s softened; it helps create that soft, chewy texture.
Granulated Sugar & Brown Sugar: The combo of these two types of sugar adds depth to the sweetness. Brown sugar adds that lovely hint of molasses, which keeps the bars moist.
Egg: A large egg binds everything together, adding richness and a hint of protein.
Vanilla Extract: The star of the show! Pure vanilla extract elevates the flavor and makes everything taste a little more special.
All-Purpose Flour: The base of our cookie bars, it gives that beautiful structure we crave.
Baking Powder: This is our leavening agent. It helps the bars rise just enough to make them fluffy rather than dense.
Salt: Just a pinch! It helps balance the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
Sprinkles: Because who can resist a little colorful fun? You can use rainbow or confetti sprinkles based on your mood or occasion.
How about the frosting?
Unsalted Butter: Again, softened! It’s crucial for that creamy consistency.
Powdered Sugar: This is what gives our frosting its signature sweetness. It blends beautifully into that fluffy texture we adore.
Milk (or Heavy Cream): Just a little splash adds creaminess to the frosting and helps achieve the perfect spreadable consistency.
Food Coloring (optional): Want to jazz things up? A few drops can turn plain frosting into a colorful masterpiece!
Additional Sprinkles: More sprinkles! Because you can never have too many. They add a fun and festive touch!
Is Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Good for You?
Alright, let’s keep it real for a moment. These cookie bars are definitely a treat. While they might not be the healthiest option, they do contain some ingredients that can provide a bit of comfort!
Butter: It’s a source of fat, which we all need in moderation, but remember that moderation is key!
Sugars: Yep, these are loaded with sugars. While sugar can provide a quick energy boost, too much can lead to the sugar crash we all dread.
Sprinkles: On the bright side, they add a bit of joy and color! They won’t do much on the nutritional side, but they do bring smiles.
So while these bars aren’t exactly a health food, they should be enjoyed in savored moments! Perfect for celebrations or when you just need a little pick-me-up.
Ingredients for Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
– **For the cookie bars**:
– 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
– 1 cup granulated sugar
– 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
– 1 large egg
– 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
– 3 cups all-purpose flour
– 1 teaspoon baking powder
– 1/2 teaspoon salt
– 1/2 cup sprinkles (rainbow or confetti)
– **For the frosting**:
– 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
– 4 cups powdered sugar
– 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 2-3 tablespoons milk (or heavy cream)
– Food coloring (optional)
– Additional sprinkles for topping
This recipe makes about 24 squares, perfect for sharing or keeping all to yourself (no judgment here!).
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars?
1. **Preheat your oven**: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal later.
2. **Create the cookie dough**: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until it’s nice and creamy. It should look fluffy—this is where the magic begins!
3. **Add the wet ingredients**: Stir in the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. This will make your batter really fragrant!
4. **Mix the dry ingredients**: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. **Incorporate the sprinkles**: Gently fold in the sprinkles until they’re evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. **Spread and bake**: Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
7. **Cool completely**: Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
8. **Make the frosting**: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until it’s creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until you have a smooth consistency with no lumps.
9. **Add flavor and texture**: Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk (or cream). Beat until fluffy, adding more milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
10. **Color it up**: If you want some color, mix in a few drops of food coloring until it’s just right!
11. **Frost and decorate**: Once the cookie bars are cooled, spread the frosting over the top. Get creative and sprinkle additional sprinkles on top for a festive touch.
12. **Set the frosting**: Refrigerate the frosted cookie bars for about 30 minutes to set the frosting, then cut into squares. Enjoy every sweet bite!
Sweet Tips for Perfect Bars
– **Make Ahead**: These bars are perfect for making ahead! You can bake the bars a day in advance and frost them on the day you plan to serve.
– **Storage**: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days—if they last that long!
– **Variations**: Feel free to switch up the sprinkles based on holidays or themes! Red and green for Christmas, pastel colors for Easter—you name it!
I truly hope you give these Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars a try! They bring a little sunshine to any occasion and are always met with grinning faces. Bake them up, snap a picture, and share your creations with me! Happy baking, my friends! 🌟
