Ben Kenwood January 2, 2026

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Sugar Cookie Bars

Name: Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 1 h
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons brown sugar; 1 large egg; 1/4 teaspoon almond extract; 2 teaspoons vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 3 tablespoons cornstarch; 1/4 teaspoon salt; 4 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 3 tablespoons heavy cream; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Christmas sprinkles

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A tray of warm, golden squares comes out of the oven, the kitchen filled with a sugar-sweet perfume that pulls everyone to the counter, and the first bite yields a tender, buttery crumb with a soft, melt-in-your-mouth frosting that sparkles with festive sprinkles. Sugar Cookie Bars bring all the feelings of a classic cutout cookie without the rolling and cookie cutters, making them perfect for holiday platters, school bake sales, or an easy weeknight treat. They slice neatly, travel well, and keep that nostalgic sugar cookie flavor in every bite, whether you serve them for a winter gathering or a cozy afternoon with tea and friends. If you love simple holiday baking, you might also enjoy this holiday cookie roundup for more sweet inspiration.

What Makes These Sugar Cookie Bars Special

There is something quietly joyful about Sugar Cookie Bars, because they capture the comforting flavor of a hand-cut sugar cookie but in a fuss-free, sheet pan form. The base is rich with butter and vanilla, lightened by cornstarch for a tender, almost shortbread-like texture. A smooth, sweet buttercream frosting adds a creamy contrast, and a scatter of Christmas sprinkles turns each square into a cheerful bite.

You will love these bars for how quickly they come together, and for the way they invite creativity. Frost them simply for a classic look, or dress them up with colored sugars, mini candies, or piped details if you are serving guests. They are forgiving to make, easy to slice, and universally beloved, which makes them a reliable favorite for holiday trays and casual treats alike.

Why these stand out

Tastes like a classic sugar cookie in less time
Tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture from cornstarch
Frosting is smooth and decorator friendly

Ingredients and Key Notes

These ingredients build both the tender cookie base and the silky frosting, with cornstarch playing a key role in texture, and almond extract contributing a gentle, aromatic note. If you prefer to skip almond, you can increase the vanilla a touch, the flavor will still be delightful.

1/2 cup butter.

1/2 cup granulated sugar.

2 tablespoons brown sugar.

1 large egg.

1/4 teaspoon almond extract.

2 teaspoons vanilla extract.

1/2 teaspoon baking powder.

1 cup all-purpose flour.

3 tablespoons cornstarch.

1/4 teaspoon salt.

4 tablespoons butter, softened.

1 cup powdered sugar.

3 tablespoons heavy cream.

1 teaspoon vanilla extract.

Christmas sprinkles.

Notes, briefly

Use room temperature butter for the creaming stage so it blends smoothly into the sugars.
If you cannot find cornstarch, a finely milled potato starch can work in a pinch, but cornstarch gives the best tender crumb.
Powdered sugar for the frosting ensures a silky texture, while heavy cream thins it to a spreadable consistency.

Bringing It Together

Preheat your oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment, leaving an overhang to lift the bars out later. The pan lining helps the edges bake evenly, and you will notice the warm, buttery aroma as the oven comes up to temperature.
In a medium bowl, cream 1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and 2 tablespoons brown sugar until light and smooth, about 2 to 3 minutes. The mixture should look pale and slightly fluffy, and you will smell the sugars bloom.
Add 1 large egg, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, then mix until well combined. The batter will gloss over and take on a rich scent from the extracts.
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons cornstarch, and 1/4 teaspoon salt. This dry mix ensures even leavening and gives the base its delicate structure.
Gradually stir the dry ingredients into the wet mixture until just combined, taking care not to overmix. The dough should be slightly stiff but scoopable, with a soft, almost shortbread-like look.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared 8×8 pan, smoothing the top with a spatula or your fingertips slightly dampened to prevent sticking. The surface should be compact and uniform, ready to bake.
Bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges set and the center no longer looks wet, a light golden color forming at the edges. The kitchen will fill with a warm, sweet aroma and the top should appear matte rather than glossy.
Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack, about 20 to 30 minutes, so they firm up before frosting. You want the base cool to the touch so the frosting stays smooth.
While the bars cool, whip the frosting by beating 4 tablespoons butter, softened, with 1 cup powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons heavy cream, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Taste and adjust for sweetness or texture by adding a splash more cream if needed.
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars, then scatter Christmas sprinkles across the top before the frosting sets. The contrast of creamy white frosting and colorful sprinkles creates a festive, inviting look.
Lift the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang, place on a cutting board, and slice into squares. For clean edges, wipe your knife between cuts or chill the frosted slab briefly before slicing.
Arrange the squares on a platter and serve, or store as directed below for later enjoyment. You will notice a tender, buttery crumb and a silky frosting with each slice.

Prep ~ 20 minutes, Cook ~ 15 minutes, Total ~ 1 hour, Servings ~ 16, Kcal ~ 180 per serving.

Plan Ahead

Sugar Cookie Bars are wonderfully make-ahead friendly, which makes them ideal for parties or gift boxes. You can prepare the cookie base up to two days in advance, wrap it tightly, and frost on the day you plan to serve, this keeps the frosting fresh and the sprinkles bright. Alternatively, bake and frost the entire slab, then store it in the refrigerator until ready to slice and serve.

If you want to save even more time, you can freeze the unfrosted baked slab for up to three months. Wrap it well in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the refrigerator before bringing to room temperature and frosting. You can also prepare the frosting ahead and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three days, then rewhip briefly with a spoon or mixer before spreading.

Tips for finishing later

Chill the baked slab before wrapping to prevent condensation.
Keep frosting refrigerated if you are preparing it more than a day ahead.
Freeze individual squares after frosting for gift-ready portions, wrapped tightly.

How to Store Leftovers

Store leftover Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days, keeping them in a cool location away from direct sunlight. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the bars in an airtight container for up to five days to keep the frosting stable and prevent the butter in the frosting from softening too much.

For longer storage, freeze the bars either frosted or unfrosted. For unfrosted bars, wrap the cooled slab tightly in plastic, then foil, and freeze for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, bring to room temperature, and then frost. For frosted bars, flash freeze them on a baking sheet until the frosting firms up, then wrap each bar individually, and store in a freezer-safe container for up to two months.

Gentle reheating tips

If you prefer a soft, just-baked feel, warm an individual unfrosted bar in a 300°F oven for 5 to 7 minutes, or microwave a frosted square for 8 to 10 seconds for a warm bite.
A freshness cue, such as a slightly chewy edge and a tender center, tells you the bars are still at their best. If the frosting becomes grainy, it may have absorbed moisture and is best refreshed by making a small new batch of frosting.

Perfect Pairings

Pairing ideas help elevate the simple joy of Sugar Cookie Bars into a full moment.

A warm mug of spiced tea or simple black tea to balance sweetness.
Classic hot chocolate topped with a swirl of whipped cream for cozy afternoons.
Fresh fruit plate with citrus slices and berries to brighten the palate.
A small scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
For more creative cookie options to serve alongside, see these birthday cookie ideas.

Make It Your Own

Sugar Cookie Bars are an excellent canvas for flavors and decorations, try these variations to suit your mood or occasion.

Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars, add 1 tablespoon lemon zest to the dough and replace the vanilla in the frosting with 1 teaspoon lemon juice for a bright, tangy finish.
Cocoa Swirl, fold 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder into half the batter and swirl into the pan for a marble effect.
Maple Vanilla, swap the heavy cream in the frosting for 3 tablespoons maple syrup plus 1 tablespoon cream for a warm note.
Nutty Crunch, sprinkle toasted chopped almonds or pecans over the frosting for texture, avoid if serving to nut-allergic guests.
Gluten Light version, use a 1 to 1 gluten-free flour blend and allow the batter to rest 10 minutes before baking to hydrate the flours.
Mini Cutout Style, chill the dough, roll it slightly in the pan with parchment, then use small cookie cutters after baking to make festive shapes.
Spice it up, add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg to the dough for a mild holiday spice.
Colorful frosting, divide the frosting into bowls and tint with a few drops of food coloring to make a bright cookie bar platter.

Each variation keeps the core tender texture, do not add alcohol, wine, pork, or bacon into any version.

Cook’s Notes and Secrets

Use room temperature ingredients, the butter and egg emulsify best when not cold, this yields a smooth batter.
Press the dough firmly and evenly into the pan to prevent uneven baking and ensure uniform squares.
Watch the bake time, ovens vary, so check at 12 minutes, the center should look set and the edges slightly golden.
Cool completely before frosting, a warm slab will cause frosting to melt and lose its texture.
For clean slices, chill the frosted slab for 15 to 30 minutes and use a hot, sharp knife wiped between cuts.
If frosting seems too thick, add heavy cream a teaspoon at a time until spreadable, if too thin, add powdered sugar gradually.

Your Questions, Answered

What is the purpose of cornstarch in the dough?

Cornstarch tenderizes the cookie base, creating a delicate, almost shortbread-like crumb by reducing gluten formation. It helps the bars hold together while keeping the texture soft and melt-in-your-mouth.

Can I make these bars without almond extract?

Yes, the almond extract is optional and adds a subtle fragrance, you can simply omit it or replace the 1/4 teaspoon with an extra 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract for a pure vanilla flavor.

How should I adjust bake time for a larger pan?

If you bake in a larger pan, the dough will be thinner and will bake faster, check at 8 to 10 minutes and adjust as needed. For a smaller or deeper dish, add a few minutes, watching for set edges and a matte top.

Are these bars freezer friendly once frosted?

Yes, but flash freeze after frosting to firm the topping, then wrap each square tightly to prevent freezer burn, they will keep well for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving to preserve texture.

Can I make these dairy free?

You can make a dairy free version by substituting plant-based butter and using a nondairy cream such as a full-fat oat or coconut creamer in the frosting, texture will be similar but flavor may shift slightly.

How do I get perfectly even squares?

Chill the frosted slab briefly to firm the frosting, then use a ruler to mark even cuts, and wipe the knife clean between each slice for neat edges.

Final Thoughts

Sugar Cookie Bars are one of those recipes that feel both nostalgic and practical, they bring the familiar comfort of sugar cookies into an easy to make bar that travels, slices, and shares without fuss. Whether you frost them simply or get playful with colors and add-ins, they deliver a tender, buttery bite that brightens cookie trays and casual afternoons alike. Give this recipe a try the next time you want a reliable, heartfelt treat, and enjoy the warm, sweet moments they create.