Make springtime gatherings extra sweet with these easy Sugar Cookie Bars!
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvE4EkCBhIFfbdfqh3kJe_i1nldV09ZHcI0eB1GVT9Cv7EwMO7m_HFqIipnM1EZ6mID1YBU7OMH4W-d1E2u9jowvxRD5Drv15ApIgBdL7r42HT0s3x_Jl4rtMwXlCnlCZmTOc4FIyc3ZT3dNiIXTpPNO9V4FKDH1UoOmTNiwsjlfV4Zjtmnr6eFDKG/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Final.jpg)
Sugar cookies are a must-have at Easter parties, however, sometimes I just don't have the time or the energy for all of the chilling, rolling, cutting, and hand-decorating. Packed with all of the deliciousness of sugar cookies and taking minimal effort, these Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect shortcut dessert for any occasion (even for a rainy afternoon). Not only are they simple enough to make that the kids can help, but the dough can be frozen ahead of time if you are in a time crunch!
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglP7XU09qzh4svRXNaoevKebOAdNByWw1b0sGDJ81xaQVvy0RdpjZGJ8ymYGIfFiqPLDjyFHHzTrsR5G1bLcxg8lBXAmGR-JGNXIaBBrcxInb-ccdChRsmGzq1y8RxNx0sdsHq-TZtgayODYzwJlD_a5YM7Ay0ylUPDK6A4CnIv6kct_Yi5dsIMzx7/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Ingredients.jpg)
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr2AUdY5SeP0F65ube3wWy50_LjdntqwFoULh2wtK0gQGeUKLqSzFonwuvmUy3Cd2TcYRqeda2Z-7Q44Ttfkq_ygF_i9lBhrQDF0As0DY0-k2HT2uQ-vYGpHKr6iUsxwU3Zsx5ahghieGTMQZUM76bApSrFFNtfohPKuSFIMCR7yx0KbbuCzRrEcpb/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Dough.jpg)
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh990guh171Vv5ft_U4Uc769woCdNwR8eJKhfzumF3p72JC_hAiBbA_fNHgLghHLYam2d1WZWtWQ2DIGuKBfhb8H4jQIltWFPt78vUzbfATxY5i52tDTe88R5Yh1ePqJZuDdjzI0rKU1scxzl_0MDbSHF6tjVQCZE6JAfAu_iO-3zCuu9-dITXN6LwH/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Pan.jpg)
Press the cookie dough into a 9x13 baking pan lined with a silicone baking mat or a sheet of parchment paper and spread it out evenly. Bake until golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. For a soft and chewy cookie, do not over-bake. Allow the bars to cool completely.
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qreyRoZqbgy_pmXzV73CbpAvI2BRBw58LyX7YAKXqz9GlIbc83ZJARh9otWcqXOO-oGBakFWRO_RZPrM8Itmieov3LTb3cBJ-eajd6jdVVagSj9pwdpWdj68FOYGLTwxkpWqDxboGZO9qHi9TZQyNPn86L1cnsgs3ofn1jhBfeb7eMl2opet1bBz/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Frosting.jpg)
While the cookie bars are cooling, whip up the decadent vanilla buttercream frosting. Add a little bit of food coloring to make the frosting a pretty, pastel pink.
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvVOZ8IlrgWa7ZngkVB2UprTbDvL3sYt3PoVhxYGuLEJvBPrC1z7GLbEsXEi1B_DhYMH0dv5i19G8p9myrasvZTslPL4uOyB-8giRZp2ZjHkqJAvriW1wq5tb5Y_ptvnXTRXP_ygGYwh7502Ps4NYE-kHDZUf3f2FU7EPK6DKKwqBdYrXgt0gTqOVN/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Sprinkles.jpg)
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyNFOEZbWGR-Y62N0W3wS7yUfXHr-n5zzS9kCcCe02kDc6x55sqIVDoHGKxIuiiKdoGBh02wVvnVq-Vsg4TiffcSs4eTQH5gqga_4Vr6Qh98_skt1hcx53hmOG3zHcAbzH9OzNWQjf7ik-tJKOUddawa_otYyewdLofRh09TgJUWlWCOM5M1_RrT1k/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Overhead.jpg)
Remove the bars from the pan. Cut the cookie bars into 15 equal pieces, and then serve. Making sugar cookies for a crowd couldn't be easier!!
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPDDOaZEvtJ46NzJUJ-3Tu7GmG4rKdH7eR8FXmdyz82Hm5zITZuH8eidywKBLhGJZC35eqhBbnT9beCVUUJxM7c6vW8iE1rZgMr9ZzJnRsDcZEDtujQ36RuivuztOpEZJ7Ak-oplQQnqYp9CSi0CudIE1seTLmOpDVcYMTq2LTPQdtl_WDE-uqrUTb/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Bite.jpg)
Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars
Servings: 15 bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Sugar Cookie Bar Ingredients:
- 1 cup butter, softened
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp baking soda
Sugar Cookie Bar Directions:
- Preheat the oven to 350º F.
- Line an 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add in sugar, and mix until light and creamy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, and beat until combined.
- In a separate mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, and baking powder and whisk until combined.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. The dough will be thick.
- Press the dough evenly into the baking pan with the back of a spatula.
- Bake 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly browned.
- Allow the cookie bars to fully cool in the pan.
- Once completely cooled, remove the cookie bars from the pan.
- Frost (see below) and cut the bars into 18 equal pieces.
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Ingredients:
- ¾ cup butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3-4 Tbsp heavy cream
- Pink or red food coloring
- Sprinkles
Vanilla Buttercream Frosting Directions:
- Whip the butter in a bowl for 1 minute.
- Slowly add powdered sugar to the butter, and mix until combined.
- Add the vanilla and heavy cream, and fully incorporate until smooth.
- Once everything is mixed together, add a little bit of pink or red food coloring until the frosting is a pastel pink.
- Use a spatula to spread frosting on fully cooled cookie bars.
- Top with a generous amount of pastel or springtime sprinkles.
- Remove the bars from the pan, and cut into 2-3 inch squares.
Tips:
- Storage: Keep cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days, refrigerated for up to 5 days. If storing in layers, place a sheet of parchment paper between the cookie layers to keep the frosting looking great and to prevent them from sticking together.
- Freeze: Cookie bars can be frozen for up to 3 months! Wrap cookie bars in storage wrap, and then aluminum foil before freezing. Let the cookie bars thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
Variations:
- Add extra mix-ins to the cookie dough such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, or nuts.
- Change up the frosting color and/or sprinkles to celebrate different holidays and events.
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfTbFenB0gjek0DLXYN2HKWcAUIIK8M0aoZLKhdcZVcoRHLY2GOFZAnk4R0YAI74dcd-IWhgbgW7No3MveHE6SxphpmzIwSa8x6XO3tDgKsFCGF8YPblnNtpaMza6TnpVFAmgwDgzOk4_Y_gdY7Vd4TzIyObNiTv4lDUKDsANdAWid7PbR3IpsCAA7/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Stack.jpg)
I'm so excited to make these easy Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars to share at any parties or gatherings, and hope you try them for yourself! They are SO yummy and are always a hit with the kids!! If you decide to give this recipe a try, I'd love to hear all about it! Please share your creations on Instagram, Facebook, or leave a comment/photo on the project pin on Pinterest!
If you like this recipe, don't forget to Pin, Like, and Share!
![Springtime Sugar Cookie Bars](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNtQ6mqxGYllVy0swQAktpnTP1qKvZbrPVRa0D5pRkg9NU6udExEeOYRBCqKbYmEi4WP2bElL-nhfjkdSzlBj4ae3Lf5HCTXgverlDxl1EBRuJGX8imrUgjwH8C1czWJciIrrhsW5LvG27joVjaT2WYtgvBnBwrVfqfL6U3dJaiswQCZDZO-fTkVgv/s16000/SugarCookie-Bars-Pin.jpg)