Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar cookie bars are a simple and delicious dessert that comes together in no time at all. A soft sugar cookie bar flavored with vanilla and almond extract smothered in sweet vanilla cream cheese frosting sprinkled with rainbow sprinkles!

Ingredients for Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar cookie bars

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature, softened butter for easy creaming.
• Granulated sugar
• Egg: Large egg, room temperature.
• Vanilla extract + almond extract: Adds amazing flavor to the sugar cookie bars.
• Salt: Enhances the flavors in the bars.
• Baking powder: A tiny bit of baking powder helps create the perfect soft, texture.
• All-purpose flour
• Milk: Room temperature.

Vanilla cream cheese frosting

• Unsalted butter: Room temperature butter.
• Cream cheese: Room temperature to cream easily with the butter.
• Powdered sugar: Confectioners’ sugar or icing sugar.
• Vanilla extract: Vanilla extract adds great flavor.
• Salt: To contrast the sweetness in the frosting.
• Heavy cream: Helps the frosting whip up well.

• Rainbow sprinkles: Add colorful rainbow sprinkles to give these bars a little something extra! Use a sprinkle blend to customize these bars for different holidays or seasons!

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar cookie bars

To make the dough, I recommend using an electric hand mixer.

1. Preheat oven and prepare an 8×8 baking pan with nonstick cooking spray and parchment paper.
2. Cream softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar.
3. Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
4. Add the dry ingredients (baking powder, salt, and all-purpose flour). Mix until combined and then add milk and mix until a soft dough forms.
5. Press the dough into the prepared baking pan.
6. Bake for approximately 25 minutes until golden brown around the edges. Remove from the oven and cool to room temperature.

While you are waiting for the sugar cookie bars to cool, prepare the vanilla cream cheese frosting.

Vanilla cream cheese frosting

To make the vanilla cream cheese frosting, I recommend using an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment.

1. Cream softened butter and cream cheese for a few minutes until smooth and creamy.
2. Add powdered sugar and mix on low to combine.
3. Add in salt and vanilla extract and continue to mix.
4. Drizzle in heavy cream. Turn the mixer to medium-high speed and whip for 2 minutes until light and creamy.

Once the sugar cookie bars are completely cool, use an offset spatula to spread a thick layer of the frosting onto the cooled cookie bars. Add rainbow sprinkles for a little extra fun and color! Use different sprinkle blends to coordinate with the holiday season, such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or other holidays!