Description
Delicious Sugar Cookie Bars topped with a creamy, smooth cream cheese frosting and decorated with festive candy hearts or sprinkles. This easy-to-make dessert combines classic sugar cookie flavors with a rich frosting, perfect for sharing at parties or family gatherings.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ounces whipped cream cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- A splash of milk (optional, for thinning)
Decoration
- Candy hearts or sprinkles, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on one side for easy removal.
- Make the Cookie Dough: In a mini stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds until fluffy. Slowly add the granulated sugar while continuing to beat.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Add the egg and 1 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture and beat until fully combined.
- Add Dry Ingredients: Turn off the mixer and evenly sprinkle the flour, baking powder, and salt over the wet mixture. Turn the mixer to low and beat just until the dry ingredients are incorporated.
- Transfer and Flatten Dough: Scoop the cookie dough into the prepared pan and press it flat evenly with your fingers.
- Bake the Cookies: Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out mostly clean with just a few crumbs attached. Remove from the oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- Make the Cream Cheese Frosting: In a clean mini stand mixer bowl, beat together the softened butter and whipped cream cheese on medium speed for 1 minute until light and fluffy. Add 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract and beat to combine.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Turn the mixer to low and gradually add the powdered sugar one-half cup at a time, mixing continuously. If the frosting is too thick, add a small splash of milk to reach the desired spreadable consistency.
- Frost the Cookies: Once the cookie base has cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the top.
- Decorate and Serve: Decorate with candy hearts or sprinkles as desired, then slice into bars and serve.
Notes
- Be sure the cookie base is completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Parchment paper lining with an overhang makes it easy to lift the entire cookie slab out for cutting.
- If you don’t have a mini stand mixer, a hand mixer or regular mixer bowl works fine.
- Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days to keep the cream cheese frosting fresh.
- For a thinner frosting, add milk gradually to avoid over-thinning.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Sugar Cookie Bars, Cream Cheese Frosting, Easy Dessert, Bar Cookies, Holiday Cookies, Candy Hearts, Festive Baking
