Best Ever Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe (2024)

May 10, 2016 by Kara Cook 41 Comments

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Sugar Cookie Bars – The fabulousness of sugar cookies without all the rolling, cutting, and decorating. Everyone LOVES these soft and delicious bars!

Bar cookies are such a yummy treat that can be whipped up in just a few minutes. Make sure and check out my Maraschino cherry cookie bars, butterscotch bars, and lemon brownies.

I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love a good homemade sugar cookie. But with all that chilling, rolling, and cutting, they take a fair amount of time to prepare.

These sugar cookie bars can be made in a fraction of the time, and they are just as yummy! They are perfect for feeding a crowd. Every time I serve them I get rave reviews!

I am a huge fan of almond extract, so I add it to both the bars and the frosting. I always get compliments, but if you hate the stuff, you can just substitute additional vanilla.

The base for these bars isn’t overly sweet, so it pairs perfectly with the creamy frosting. I’ve made these with buttercream and cream cheese frosting, and we prefer the cream cheese frosting.

Because really, it can’t be beat, can it? That stuff is incredible! Feel free to eat a couple spoonfuls. I won’t judge.

How to make sugar cookie bars:

Cream the butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Beat in the eggs and extracts. Stir in the dry ingredients
Press the dough into a greased cookie sheet with sides. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes, then cool completely.
When your sugar cookie bars are cool, whip up the frosting. Beat the softened butter and cream cheese till fluffy. Then beat in the remaining ingredients, adding milk if needed.
You can decorate these sugar cookie bars to match any holiday or party. They are a perfect bar cookie for feeding a crowd!

Use white frosting, red & green sprinkles, and you have perfect Christmas sugar cookie bars.

How do I store my sugar cookie bars?

I like to store mine in the pan. I have a handy plastic lid that fits over my cookie sheet, and I LOVE it. I frost the bars, then pop on the lid. They store perfectly at room temperature.

Tip: If you don’t cut the bars till right before you serve them, they won’t dry out as fast.

If I only have a few bars leftover, I put them into a smaller container.

Here are a few more fabulous bar recipes:

Reese’s Peanut Butter Oat Bars
Maraschino Cherry Bars
Snickerdoodle Blondies
Nutella Cheesecake Bars
Oreo Rice Krispie Treats
Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
Chocolate Chip Blondies
Toffee Bars
Peanut Butter Chip Bars
Pumpkin Blondies

Recipe for Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

Yield: 4 dozen bars

Best Ever Sugar Cookie Bars

Buttery soft sugar cookie bars topped with perfect cream cheese frosting.

Prep Time20 minutes

Cook Time20 minutes

Additional Time1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time2 hours 10 minutes

Ingredients

Dough

1 1/2 cups butter, softened to room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
1 tsp almond extract
5 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking powder

Frosting

8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
1/2 cup butter, softened to room temperature
5 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
dash of salt
Food coloring (optional)
2-3 tsp milk if needed

Instructions

Cream butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl. Add the eggs, vanilla, and almond extract. Beat till well blended.
Whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder in a small bowl. Add to the wet ingredients and stir till well combined.
Press into a 17" x 12" rimmed baking sheet that has been sprayed with non-stick spray. Bake at 350° for 15-20 minutes or until barely light brown. Cool completely, then frost.
Frosting: Beat cream cheese and butter in a large bowl till smooth. Add powdered sugar, extracts, salt, and food coloring. Beat till smooth and creamy, adding milk as needed. Top with sprinkles if desired.