Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream
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Servings: 9-12 bars | Prep Time: 15 minutes | Total Time: 40 minutes
Soft chewy and buttery these sugar cookie bars topped with fluffy vanilla buttercream are the ultimate crowd pleaser. They come together quickly and are perfect for holidays birthdays or any time you need an easy but impressive dessert.
What Are Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream
These bars are a simplified version of classic frosted sugar cookies baked as a sheet for ease. The base is a soft buttery sugar cookie dough made extra tender with cream cheese. Once baked it is spread with swirls of fluffy vanilla buttercream and finished with sprinkles or seasonal decorations. The result is a bakery style treat without the effort of rolling cutting or chilling dough.
Ingredients You Will Need
Salted butter softened
Cream cheese softened
Vanilla extract
Egg
Granulated sugar
All purpose flour spooned and leveled
Baking powder
Unsalted butter softened
Powdered sugar
Milk
Festive sprinkles or food coloring optional
Our Tips for Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars
Chill bars after frosting for 15 to 20 minutes to get clean sharp slices.
For flavor variations add a touch of almond extract to the dough or swap in chocolate or cream cheese frosting.
Use seasonal sprinkles or colored frosting to make them fit any holiday or celebration.
How to Store Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars
Store frosted cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage refrigerate for up to 5 days or freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months then thaw and frost before serving.
Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream
Buttery and lightly sweet with a hint of vanilla.
Ingredients
- ½ cup salted butter, softened
- 2 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 cups all-purpose flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 tbsp milk
- Festive sprinkles or food coloring (see Notes for variations)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream the wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and sugar, then mix until fully combined.
- Add the dry ingredients: Gradually mix in the flour and baking powder until just incorporated. Avoid overmixing.
- Lightly butter your hands or a spatula, then evenly press the dough into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes: Bake just until the edges are starting to turn light golden brown. Inserted toothpick in the middle will have a moist crumbs. (Do not overbake! The bars should be very moist, and almost slightly underbaked in the middle.)
- Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack.
- For the Frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the butter and vanilla until light and fluffy.
- Add the powdered sugar and milk, then mix until smooth and creamy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars, using the back of a spoon to create soft swirls.
- Add sprinkles or decorative elements as desired.
- Cut & Serve: Slice into 9 large bars or 12 smaller bars. Enjoy!
Notes
- For Clean Slices: Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before cutting. This helps the frosting set, making cleaner cuts.
- Flavor Variations: Add a pinch of cinnamon or a few drops of almond extract to the dough for a unique twist. You can also swap vanilla frosting for chocolate or cream cheese frosting!
- 1 Corinthians 16:14: “Let all that you do be done in love.”
