Name: Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 16 min
Total time: 36 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup salted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1 egg; 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour; 2 tsp baking powder; ½ cup salted butter, softened (for frosting); 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting); 2 tbsp heavy cream; Orange food coloring (optional); Sprinkles (optional)

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Why Make This Recipe

Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for the spooky season! They are easy to make and perfect for sharing at parties or just enjoying at home. With soft sugar cookie bars topped with sweet orange frosting and festive sprinkles, they add a splash of fun to any Halloween celebration. Plus, they are simple enough that even beginner bakers can whip them up!

How to Make Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

1 cup salted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg
2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp baking powder
½ cup salted butter, softened (for frosting)
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
2 tbsp heavy cream
Orange food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Directions:

Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until smooth.
Add the vanilla and egg to the butter mixture. Mix until everything is well combined.
Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges of the cookie bars are lightly golden. Let them cool completely.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until peaks form.
Add drops of food coloring to the frosting and mix until it reaches your desired shade of orange.
Spread the orange frosting over the cooled sugar cookie bars.
Don’t forget to add Halloween sprinkles for that festive touch!
Once the frosting has set, cut the bars into squares and serve right away or store them for later.

How to Serve Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Serve these delightful cookie bars on a festive platter, garnished with extra sprinkles. They make a wonderful treat for Halloween parties, school events, or family gatherings. Pair them with a glass of milk or your favorite fall beverage for a perfect bite of sweetness!

How to Store Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

To store your Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, keep them in an airtight container at room temperature. They can last for up to a week. If you want to keep them fresh for longer, you can store them in the refrigerator for up to 10-14 days. Just make sure to bring them back to room temperature before serving for the best taste!

Tips to Make Halloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Make sure your butter is softened for both the cookie base and frosting. This will help achieve a nice, smooth texture.
Be careful not to overmix the dough once you add the flour, as it can make the bars tough.
Customize the frosting color! If you want more than just orange, feel free to mix in other colors for fun patterns.
Use various sprinkles to make your bars look even more festive.

Variation

Try adding chocolate chips or candy corn to the cookie dough for added flavor and texture. You can also swap the orange frosting for other colors to match your Halloween theme!

FAQs

1. Can I freeze the cookie bars?
Yes! You can freeze the baked and frosted cookie bars. Just make sure to place them in an airtight container, and they can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.

2. What can I use instead of orange food coloring?
If you don’t have orange food coloring, you can use yellow and red food coloring combined to create orange. Alternatively, you can skip the coloring and leave the frosting white!

3. How thick should the cookie bars be?
Aim for about ½ inch to ¾ inch thickness when pressing the dough into the pan. This will give you soft, chewy bars once baked!