Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe - Small Batch - ZagLeft (2024)

Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars, the only cookie bar recipe you need! These bars are soft, chewy and topped with a rich buttercream frosting. This recipe yields a small batch of cookie bars.

One of my favorite types of cookies to make are sugar cookies. I especially love the lofthouse style sugar cookies that seem to melt in your mouth. These soft cookies rank as one of my all time favorites, but these cookie barsare even better.

Let’s face it, bar cookies are a lazy way to satisfy a cookie craving. They’re just so easy to make.

Why This Recipe Works

• These cookie bars are easy to make and they’re buttery and soft!
• Hardly any effort involved. Just mix the ingredients together and press the cookie dough into a baking dish, then bake!
• These sugar cookie bars are wonderful for the holidays or to bring to cookie swaps. They’re actually perfect for Easter, Mother’s Day, Christmas or Valentine’s Day too.

Ingredient Notes

See recipe box below for ingredient amounts and full recipe instructions.

• Butter: I use softened salted butter which adds flavor and buttery goodness to every bite. You want to use softened butter in this sugar cookies recipe because you want to cream the butter and the sugar together to create air pockets. These air pockets are what help make these cookies light and airy. Softened butter should still be cool to the touch but when you press your finger into the butter, your finger will leave an indentation.
• Sugar: Use granulated sugar to deliver the perfect amount of sweetness.
• Egg: 1 egg is all you need to add structure to the cookie bars.
• Vanilla extract and salt: For flavor.
• Flour: Use all-purpose flour.
• Baking powder: Helps give the cookies a little lift.
• Confectioners’ sugar and milk: For the frosting.

How To Make This Recipe

1. In a bowl, mix the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
2. Mix in the egg and vanilla extract.
3. Add in the flour, baking powder, and salt. Stir until well blended.
4. Spread dough on prepared pan.
5. Bake in a preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown.

To Make The Frosting

1. In a small bowl, mix together the confectioners’ sugar, butter, and milk until smooth.
2. Cut the bars into squares and spread frosting over the tops.

Expert Tips

• Use softened butter, not cold butter in this sugar cookie recipe. Softened butter should still be cool to the touch but when you press your finger into the butter, your finger will leave an indentation. The best way to soften your butter is to put it out on the kitchen counter for a half hour before you want to use it. Another way to quickly soften butter is to put the cold butter in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you use this method, be sure to watch carefully – you don’t want the butter to melt at all.
• Measure the flour by using the spoon and level method. To measure flour correctly, use a spoon to scoop flour into a measuring cup and slightly overfill. Then, use the back of a knife or other straight edged utensil to level the flour across the cup. Do not scoop the flour. When you scoop, the flour gets packed too tightly and you will end up with more flour than the recipe calls for.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Do Sugar Cookie Bars Last?

Sugar cookie bars stay fresh for 2-3 days when stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If refrigerated, they last for 1 week.

Can The Frosting Be Made Ahead Of Time?

The frosting can be made ahead of time and stored in a covered container in the refrigerator until you are ready to frost the cookies.

For best results, bring the frosting to room temperature before using it and mix it with a spoon or hand mixer. You might need to add additional milk so that the frosting is easier to spread.

What Are Lofthouse Cookies?

Are you familiar with lofthouse cookies? They’re the ones that you often see in the bakery section of supermarkets. Lofthouse cookies are popular because they’re not only soft and sweet, but they’re so pretty too. Often topped with colorful frosting and a scattering of candied sprinkles, they’re perfect for parties.

These soft sugar cookie bars are very similar to lofthouse cookies but they’re so much tastier!

This dessert recipe comes together quickly so you can enjoy sugar cookie bars anytime a sweet craving hits.

Enjoy!

For this recipe, I use a 1-quart baking dish. A loaf pan will work well too.

If you’re looking for Small Batch Sugar Cookies, you can find that recipe as well as many other single serving recipes by visiting our One Dish Kitchen site.

Recipe