These frosted sugar cookie bars would be perfect for Valentine’s Day, Easter, a birthday or just about anytime. They’re super soft, chewy, colorful and made with love! What more could you ask for in a cookie? This frosted sugar cookie bar recipe is extra fun because you can mix and match the colors of the frosting to whatever colors you desire making an ultra colorful and pretty dessert!
Why this recipe works
You know those Lofthouse frosted sugar cookies that you can buy at the grocery store? They are usually in the bakery section in a plastic container, two rows of cookies, about 10 or 12 altogether. Each season or holiday they come in different colors and are usually decorated with sprinkles. And they are so good.
These bars remind me of those cookies. They aren’t exactly the same, but they put the same smile on my face as those cookies do!
Ingredients you will need
Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable version at the end of this post.
Ingredient Info and Substitution Suggestions
FOOD COLORING – Gel food coloring is preferred over liquid food coloring for this recipe because it provides vibrant color without altering the consistency, ensuring a smooth and stable texture.
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
These step by step photos and instructions are here to help you visualize how to make this recipe. You can Jump to Recipe to get the printable version of this recipe, complete with measurements and instructions at the bottom.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and egg until nice and frothy. About 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat for 1 minute more.
- In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Mix them around so that all ingredients are well incorporated.
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes.
- Press the dough into a large jelly roll (cookie sheet) pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let the pan cool completely.
- To make the frosting, in a medium-sized bowl (or your stand mixer) combine the butter and cream cheese. Beat for about 2 minutes.
- Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.
- Separate frosting into smaller bowls then add paste food coloring to each bowl.
- Frost your pan of cookies using each different color.
- Cut the frosted sugar cookie bars into squares and serve!
Frequently Asked Questions & Expert Tips
Absolutely! While homemade frosting gives the best flavor, store-bought works great in a pinch.
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy these frosted sugar cookie bars with a cold glass of milk for a classic, comforting combo, or pair them with a warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a cozy treat. However you serve them, these soft, frosted bars are sure to be a hit! I hope you enjoy these bright and delicious frosted sugar cookie bars!
More Related Recipes
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chunk Bars
- Cake Mix Cookie Bars
- Brookies
- Fudge Frosted Espresso Brownies
- Millionaire’s Bars
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Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
IMPORTANT – There are often Frequently Asked Questions within the blog post that you may find helpful. Simply scroll back up to read them!
Print It Rate ItIngredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 8 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 ½ cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 3 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 3-5 Tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- food coloring or icing paste
Things You’ll Need
Before You Begin
- I used 5 different colors of paste food coloring. You can use whatever colors you want or just stick with white frosting.
- First I frosted each section and added sprinkles. After all the frosting was added I cut the sections of the frosted sugar cookie bars into squares, again using the dough cutter.
- We’ve cut ours into 20 large bars and the nutrition calculation reflects that. You can reduce the calories per serving by cutting the bars smaller.
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and egg until nice and frothy. About 4 minutes. Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat for 1 minute more.1 cup unsalted butter, 8 oz cream cheese, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 1 large egg, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- In a small bowl combine the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Mix them around so that all ingredients are well incorporated.2 1/2 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes.
- Press the dough into a large jelly roll (cookie sheet) pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Let the pan cool completely.
To Make the Frosting
- In a medium-sized bowl (or your stand mixer) combine the butter and cream cheese. Beat for about 2 minutes.1/2 cup unsalted butter, 4 oz cream cheese
- Add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Mix for 1-2 minutes or until smooth.3 1/2 cups powdered sugar, 3-5 Tablespoons milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Separate frosting into smaller bowls then add paste food coloring to each bowl.food coloring or icing paste
- Frost your pan of cookies using each different color.
- Cut the frosted sugar cookie bars into squares and serve!
Nutrition
The recipes on this blog are tested with a conventional gas oven and gas stovetop. It’s important to note that some ovens, especially as they age, can cook and bake inconsistently. Using an inexpensive oven thermometer can assure you that your oven is truly heating to the proper temperature. If you use a toaster oven or countertop oven, please keep in mind that they may not distribute heat the same as a conventional full sized oven and you may need to adjust your cooking/baking times. In the case of recipes made with a pressure cooker, air fryer, slow cooker, or other appliance, a link to the appliances we use is listed within each respective recipe. For baking recipes where measurements are given by weight, please note that results may not be the same if cups are used instead, and we can’t guarantee success with that method.
This post was originally published here on March 19, 2020.
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Michelle @ Loving Every Second says
I am making these as we speak! Can't wait to try them :)
Michelle
LovingEverySecond.blogspot.com
Paula Hunt says
I made these tonight. They are so pretty. Looking forward to sharing them with my co-workers on Valentine's Day :)
Its Sew For You says
These are fantastic, I've already made them twice and have never gotten so many compliments!!
http://itssewforyou.blogspot.com/2011/02/cream-cheese-cookie-bars.html
Amanda says
Thanks everyone! I have a craving to make these again!
MamaBug says
My BFF made these for me….and they are the best! Thanks for sharing!
Maggie says
oh this is so adorable.
Don't forget to participate in the linking party this week, and every Wednesday :)
Maggie
http://www.passionatelyartistic.com/2011/02/fun-ideas-for-valentine-day-2011be.html
Christine says
Oh my goodness.
And then I was on a sugar high!
This looks amazing.
Christine
greatoakcircle.com
Cindy ~ My Romantic Home says
Those look so good! My daughter and I love those grocery store frosted sugar cookies so I'll have to try this sometime (when I'm not dieting)!
Mrs.B says
So Yummy!
Elizabeth says
Those look fab! I am a sucker for a good sugar cookie! Would love for you to come and visit me at Sew Chatty and link up to Made With Love Monday! http://sewchatty.blogspot.com
Culinary Cory says
A nice twist on a classic. The pan with the different colored frosting is so cute.
Caroline @ The Feminist Housewife says
Ok, you are seriously making me hungry….AND I now I'm dying for spring to be here!
Chris says
Wow, these look fabulous. I've never seen anything like them. Must try! Thanks for sharing and for being so careful to give credit where it's due.
alissa says
What a delicious treat! I love the colors too. Reminds me of Spring.
Thanks for linking to Tasty Tuesdays!
Alissa
very merry vintage style says
These look really yummy and I love the ease of bar cookies. Very cute!
Sue says
Love all the different colors Amanda! SO pretty! I, too, believe in blogging with integrity!
Something Wilde says
Oh my…cream cheese…OK!! I'll have to try these out soon!
Suzie says
Bless you for posting this recipe!!
I'm featuring it on my blog.
http://www.imlovinyourblog.blogspot.com
LocalFunForKids says
They are so pretty and I bet they taste even better! You should come link up at Fun for Kids Friday http://www.localfunforkids.com/
MrsJenB says
I was attracted first to the colors in the photo – how did you know I was just dying to see pretty, spring colors right now? So lovely!
And the recipe…! Sounds amazing! I'd love to make these for my sweetie for Valentine's Day! :-) And I'm sure he'd love them as well!
Visiting from Tasty Tuesdays!