Sugar Cookie Bars

Name: Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 16 serving(s)
Ingredients: Cooking spray; 2 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled; 1 tsp. cornstarch; 1/2 tsp. baking powder; 1/2 tsp. kosher salt; 3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 1/2 c. granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract; 1/2 c. (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature; 1 tbsp. whole milk; 1 tsp. pure peppermint or vanilla extract; 2 c. confectioners’ sugar; Holiday sprinkles

Make these easy festive treats whenever you're celebrating!

By Beth BranchPublished: Oct 26, 2023

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Becky Luigart-Stayner

Yields:

16 serving(s)

Prep Time:

25 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

These tender, delicious bars, kind of a cross between a blondie and a sugar cookie, are our favorite way to round out a Christmas cookie table.

They're simple enough to make, and great for any time of year. But especially around the holidays, we find guests will eat just about as many as we can make.

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Ingredients

For the cookie:

Cooking spray
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, spooned and leveled
1 tsp. cornstarch
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. kosher salt
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

For the buttercream:

1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
1 Tbsp. whole milk
1 tsp. pure peppermint or vanilla extract
2 cups confectioners’ sugar
Holiday sprinkles

Directions

1. Step 1Make the cookie bars: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 9- by 9-inch baking pan and line with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhand on two sides. Whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt in a bowl.
2. Step 2Beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy, 1 to 2 minutes. Add eggs and vanilla and beat until well combined. Slowly beat in flour mixture until combined.
3. Step 3Transfer dough to prepared baking pan and spread evenly. Bake until edges are golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Cool in pan on a wire rack, 15 minutes. Use the parchment paper to lift cookie out of the pan and cool completely on wire rack.
4. Step 4Make the buttercream: Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until light and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes. Beat in milk, peppermint or vanilla extract, and confectioners’ sugar. Spread frosting over cookie bars and sprinkle with holiday sprinkles. Cut into squares.