Craving the sweet, buttery flavor of traditional sugar cookies but short on time? Skip the rolling pins and cookie cutters—Bar Sugar Cookie recipes are here to save your day (and your dessert table).
These Bar Sugar Cookie squares are soft, chewy, and packed with nostalgic vanilla goodness. Best of all? They’re ready in just 30 minutes—no chilling, no shaping, no stress.
Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, last-minute potluck, or just treating yourself, this Bar Sugar Cookie recipe delivers maximum flavor with minimal effort.
Plus, their golden edges and thick, frosted tops make them just as pretty as they are delicious. You won’t believe how easy it is to whip up a batch of these irresistible Bar Sugar Cookies.
This is more than a shortcut—it’s your new go-to recipe when you want all the joy of sugar cookies without the hassle.
Why You'll Love These Sugar Cookie Bars
There’s something undeniably comforting about the nostalgic flavor of a classic sugar cookie. Now imagine that same warmth and sweetness—only easier, quicker, and perfect for real-life baking. That’s exactly what you get with this Bar Sugar Cookie recipe.
Forget the rolling, chilling, and cutting. These Bar Sugar Cookies are made in one bowl, spread into a single pan, and baked into soft, chewy perfection with golden edges and a melt-in-your-mouth frosted top.
Busy day? No problem. This Bar Sugar Cookie recipe is designed for those moments when you want something homemade but don’t have time for complicated steps.
They’re a favorite during the holidays when time is tight but festive treats are still a must. These Bar Sugar Cookies also shine at bake sales, potlucks, and anytime you're baking for a crowd.
Delicious, efficient, and beautifully simple—this Bar Sugar Cookie recipe is a go-to you’ll keep coming back to.
Jump to:
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Large eggs
- Pure vanilla extract
- Almond extract
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
For the Frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or heavy cream
- Vanilla extract
- Salt
- Food coloring
- Sprinkles
See recipe card for quantities.
Instructions
Prepare and Mix
- Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper
- Cream together the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Add eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using)
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture until just combined
- Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan
Bake and Cool
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are slightly golden and center is set
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting
- For chewier bars, aim for the lower end of the baking time
- Remember that bars continue to set as they cool
Frost and Decorate
- Beat softened butter until creamy
- Gradually add powdered sugar alternating with milk until desired consistency
- Beat in vanilla extract and salt
- Add food coloring if desired
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars
- Add sprinkles immediately if using
- For clean cuts, chill bars for about 30 minutes before slicing
- Prepare & Mix: Cream butter & sugar, mix in eggs and dry ingredients
- Bake & Cool: Bake until golden at the edges, then cool completely
- Frost & Decorate: Frost cooled bars and decorate with sprinkles before slicing
Equipment For Bar Sugar Cookie Recipe
- 9x13-inch Baking Pan: A light-colored aluminum pan will give you the most even baking.
- Parchment Paper: Essential for easy removal and clean-up.
- Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: While you can mix by hand, an electric mixer makes creaming the butter and sugar much easier.
- Offset Spatula: Perfect for spreading an even layer of frosting.
- Sharp Knife: For clean cuts through the frosted bars.
Budget-friendly alternative: If you don't have an offset spatula, the back of a spoon works well for spreading frosting.
Expert Baking Tips for Sugar Cookie Bars
- Room Temperature Ingredients: Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature for the best texture and easier mixing.
- Don't Overmix: Mix just until the ingredients are combined to keep your bars tender.
- Check Early: Every oven is different, so start checking your bars a few minutes before the suggested baking time.
- The Toothpick Test: Insert a toothpick in the center—it should come out with a few moist crumbs, but not wet batter.
- For Extra Flavor: Try adding ½ teaspoon of fresh lemon zest to the dough for a subtle brightness that enhances the vanilla.
- Perfect Frosting Tip: If your frosting is too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar.
Delicious Variations
Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars 9x13
Transform this recipe into chocolate chip cookie bars by folding in 1 ½ cups of chocolate chips into the dough before baking. The 9x13 pan size makes these perfect for serving a crowd.
Sugar Cookie Bars with Mix-ins
- Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars: Add ½ cup of colorful sprinkles to the batter for a fun birthday version.
- Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Add 2 tablespoons of lemon zest and replace some of the vanilla extract with lemon extract.
- Sugar Cookie Bars with White Chocolate: Fold in 1 cup of white chocolate chips and add ½ cup dried cranberries for a sweet-tart combination.
Dietary Modifications
Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Add xanthan gum if your blend doesn't already include it (about ½ teaspoon).
Vegan Cookie Bars
- Replace butter with vegan butter sticks (not spread)
- Substitute eggs with a flax egg mixture (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg)
- Use plant-based milk in the frosting
Keto Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
- Replace sugar with a granulated keto-friendly sweetener
- Use almond flour instead of all-purpose flour
- Add sugar-free chocolate chips
Storage
Fridge Storage
Store frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers if you need to stack them.
Freezing Instructions
- Unfrosted bars: Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 3 months.
- Frosted bars: Freeze uncovered until frosting is set (about 1 hour), then wrap well and freeze for up to 2 months.
- Thawing: Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature for a few hours.
Make-Ahead Option
Prepare the dough up to 2 days ahead and refrigerate it. Let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes before pressing into the pan and baking.
The Secret Bakery Trick Behind My Famous Bar Sugar Cookies
I’ll let you in on a little secret—the kind that transforms a good Bar Sugar Cookie into an unforgettable one. Years ago, while helping my aunt prep for a holiday bake sale, she whispered a tip she’d picked up from a retired bakery owner: “Just a spoonful of cornstarch makes all the difference.”
Now, I never bake my Bar Sugar Cookies without adding 2 tablespoons of cornstarch to the dry mix. The result? Cookies that stay incredibly soft, chewy, and fresh for days. But here’s the real magic—swapping in a splash of almond extract along with the vanilla (just a touch, 3:1 ratio) gives these bars that rich, bakery-style flavor.
Trust me, once you try this version, your Bar Sugar Cookie recipe will never be the same—and yes, people will ask you for the secret.
FAQ
What makes a bar cookie a bar cookie?
Bar sugar cookies and other bar cookies are defined by their preparation method and shape. Unlike drop or rolled cookies, bar cookies are spread in a pan (typically 9x13-inch), baked as one large slab, and then cut into squares or rectangles after cooling. This time-saving technique creates edge-to-middle texture variation with crisp corners and soft centers. Popular examples include brownies, blondies, and sugar cookie bars.
What is the dupe for Starbucks sugar cookie syrup?
To recreate Starbucks sugar cookie syrup at home, combine 1 cup sugar, 1 cup water, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract, and a pinch of salt. Simmer until thickened, then cool. This homemade version captures the same sweet vanilla-almond flavor that makes bar sugar cookies so irresistible. Use it in coffee, hot chocolate, or even as a glaze for actual sugar cookie bars for double the flavor.
How to turn sugar cookie mix into cookie bars?
Transform boxed sugar cookie mix into delicious bar sugar cookies by combining the mix with ⅓ cup melted butter and 1 egg (instead of following package directions). Press evenly into a greased 9x13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 15-20 minutes until edges are light golden. Cool completely before frosting. This shortcut method creates soft, chewy sugar cookie bars perfect for busy bakers.
What is a navy seal sugar cookie?
A "Navy SEAL sugar cookie" isn't a bar sugar cookie recipe but a military training term. It refers to when Navy SEAL candidates are ordered to roll in sand until completely covered, resembling a sugar-coated cookie. This challenging exercise builds mental toughness during Hell Week training. Unlike delicious sugar cookie bars you enjoy eating, this "sugar cookie" experience is deliberately uncomfortable and tests resilience.
Ready to Bake Your Sweetest Batch Yet?
These Bar Sugar Cookies are the perfect blend of classic flavor and modern-day ease. With their soft centers, crisp edges, and endless room for creativity, they’re bound to become your new go-to dessert for holidays, parties, or those cozy nights when only a sweet bite will do.
Whether you top them with fluffy vanilla frosting and rainbow sprinkles or mix in your own favorite twists, Bar Sugar Cookie bars are endlessly adaptable—and always crowd-pleasing. Make them ahead, stash them in the fridge, or package them up for gifting... they truly do it all.
If you loved this recipe, don’t miss our recent favorite: the colorful and fun Fruity Pebbles Cookies—a nostalgic treat with a crunch. Or, go back to basics with our buttery, bite-sized Homemade Vanilla Wafer Cookies Recipe—another classic reimagined for today’s busy bakers.
What’s your signature twist on sugar cookie bars? Drop a comment below—we’d love to hear your variations, tips, or questions!
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Pairing
These are my favorite dishes to serve with Bar Sugar Cookie
Bar Sugar Cookie
Equipment
- 1 9x13 inch baking pan Light-colored aluminum recommended for even baking
- 1 Parchment paper For easy removal and clean-up
- 1 Stand mixer or hand mixer Makes creaming butter and sugar easier
- 1 Offset spatula Use for even frosting spread (or back of a spoon)
- 1 Sharp knife For clean slices through frosted bars
Ingredients
- 1 cup Unsalted butter cookie base Softened
- 1 cup Granulated sugar
- 2 Large eggs
- 2 teaspoon Vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon Almond extract Optional
- 2 ½ cups All-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon Baking powder
- ½ teaspoon Salt
- ½ cup Unsalted butter frosting Softened
- 2 cups Powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp Milk or heavy cream Adjust for consistency
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla extract frosting
- Pinch Salt frosting
- – Food coloring optional
- – Sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment paper
- Cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy
- Add eggs, vanilla, and almond extract (optional) and mix well
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture and stir until just combined
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan
- Bake for 20–25 minutes until edges are golden and center is set
- Cool completely in pan on a wire rack before frosting
- Beat softened butter for frosting, then gradually add powdered sugar and milk
- Add vanilla and salt, and adjust consistency with more milk or sugar as needed
- Spread frosting over cooled bars; add food coloring and sprinkles if desired
- Chill for 30 minutes before slicing for clean cuts
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