Chewy Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars: Simple Homemade Recipe

Light, fluffy buttercream tops these Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars — all the flavor of a classic sugar cookie in an easier bar form. Simple to make, pretty to serve, and utterly irresistible.

Love sugar cookies but not the time it takes to bake them one by one? These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars give you that same buttery, tender cookie flavor in a handheld, sliceable form. They’re thicker and chewier than a traditional cut-out cookie, and the smooth buttercream frosting makes every bite a little celebration.

I’ve brought these to bake sales and family gatherings more than once — they always vanish quickly. They’re an excellent choice when you want a make-ahead dessert that looks special without a lot of fuss.

If you want to change things up, these bars are a great canvas: tint the frosting for holidays, stir sprinkles into the base, or add your favorite mix-ins to the dough. Below you’ll find why this recipe works, what you’ll need, and step-by-step instructions to make them perfect.

1. Yields plenty to feed a crowd, with the option to halve the batch for fewer servings.
2. Holds at room temperature for several days, making it a reliable make-ahead dessert.
3. Uses straightforward pantry ingredients you likely already have.

• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Pinch of salt
• Unsalted butter
• Granulated sugar
• Large eggs
• Vanilla extract
• Powdered sugar
• Milk
• Food coloring (optional)
• Sprinkles (optional)

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F. Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or foil, spray lightly with baking spray, and set aside.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl; set aside.
3. In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment (or using a hand mixer), cream room-temperature butter and granulated sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing until incorporated, then stir in the vanilla.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined — avoid overmixing.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan; using your hands works well to compact it.
7. Bake 20–25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick in the center comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.

8. While the bars cool, make the buttercream: beat softened butter until smooth.
9. Add powdered sugar and mix until combined.
10. Stir in the pinch of salt, vanilla, and milk, scraping down the bowl as needed.
11. Beat on medium-high for about 3 minutes until fluffy. If using food coloring, add a little at a time until you reach the desired shade; finish by folding with a spatula to remove any streaks.
12. Once the bars are fully cooled, spread the frosting evenly and add sprinkles if desired. Cut into 15 bars and serve.

DO I HAVE TO USE FOOD COLORING?

No — the frosting is perfectly attractive left white. Gel food coloring is handy if you want vivid hues for a theme or holiday; a little goes a long way.

HOW CAN I MAKE THESE CHRISTMAS SUGAR COOKIE BARS?

Tint the frosting red or green and top with seasonal sprinkles. You can also stir about 1/4 cup jimmie-style sprinkles into the cookie dough (they’re less likely to bleed) for an extra festive look.

CAN I USE ANOTHER FROSTING?

Yes. White or pale frostings are easiest to color, but alternatives that pair well include cream cheese frosting, white chocolate frosting, or buttercream with a touch of almond extract.

CAN I ADD ANYTHING?

Absolutely — try extracts like almond, maple, or strawberry, or fold in mix-ins such as chocolate chips, chopped nuts, crushed cookies (golden Oreos are delicious), or flavored chips.

Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days; they’re best at room temperature.

To freeze, separate layers with wax paper and store in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.

These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are a reliable crowd-pleaser — easy to make, easy to customize, and beautiful on a dessert table. Try them and enjoy!

If you try these FROSTED SUGAR COOKIE BARS, share how they turned out in the comments. Follow the recipe author on social media for more dessert ideas and updates.