The Best Sugar Cookie Bars (thick, Chewy, + Soft) Recipe

I recently discovered a twist on a favorite treat with these Sugar Cookie Bars. The irresistibly soft and chewy texture combined with a sweet frosting and colorful sprinkles created an unexpectedly delightful dessert. Every bite redefines this classic recipe, and I enjoyed every moment experimenting with this fun innovation.

I am super excited to share my take on The Best Sugar Cookie Bars with you. These bars are thick, chewy and soft with every bite delivering the classic sugar cookie taste we all love.

I mixed 1 cup of unsalted butter with 1 1/4 cups of granulated sugar and two large eggs along with 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Then I folded in 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon each of baking powder, baking soda and salt until just combined.

The batter feels fun and easy to work with and it always reminds me of those easy cookie recipes perfect for special occasions like Valentine’s Day. After baking, I topped the warm bars with a creamy frosting made out of 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and then sprinkled on some rainbow sprinkles.

Trust me these dessert bar recipes always become a crowd favorite even though they are simple to whip up. Enjoy!

Why I Like this Recipe

I love this recipe cuz its super soft and chewy, plus its got that perfect sugar cookie flavor that reminds me of my childhood treats. The frosting is amazing too – when I spread it on, it turns the bars into a real dessert and the way the rainbow sprinkles sit on top just makes it extra fun. I also like how easy it is to make even if I mess up a little sometimes, the directions are simple enough that I feel like a pro every time I bake them. Lastly, I feel like it works for any occasion – whether im in the mood for a quick sweet snack or hosting a small get-together, these bars always hit the spot.

Ingredients

These sugar cookie bars bring a perfect balance of sweet, soft and chewy textures that feel just like a warm hug.

The unsalted butter gives a rich, creamy base while granulated sugar brings that irresistible sweetness and energy.

Eggs help hold everything together and keep the bars super moist even when they cool a bit.

The all-purpose flour creates a tender, chewy crumb, and the powdered sugar frosting with milk adds a creamy, delicate finish.

Rainbow sprinkles make the treat fun and colorful, adding a festive crunch every time you bite into them.

• Unsalted Butter: Fats in butter add creaminess and rich flavor for a yummy bite.
• Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and carbs to boost energy and great taste.
• Eggs: Bring protein and moisture; they help bind ingredients together perfectly.
• All-purpose Flour: Supplies carbs and texture for a tender, chewy crumb.
• Powdered Sugar & Milk: Create a creamy, sweet frosting that finishes it smooth.
• Rainbow Sprinkles: Add fun, vibrant color and a festive crunch in every bite.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 3 cups powdered sugar (for the frosting)
• 3 tablespoons milk (for the frosting)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 1 cup rainbow sprinkles

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 inch pan (or line it with parchment paper).

2. Beat the softened butter with the granulated sugar till the mixture is light and creamy.

3. Add in the eggs and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix really well until everything is combined.

4. In a separate bowl, sift together 2 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon baking soda, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.

5. Slowly mix the dry ingredients into the butter mixture until just combined (be careful not to overmix).

6. Press the batter evenly into your prepared pan and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges start to turn light golden.

7. Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely.

8. For the frosting, stir together 3 cups powdered sugar, 3 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and spreadable.

9. Once the bars have cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top.

10. Sprinkle 1 cup of rainbow sprinkles over the frosting and let it set a bit before diving in. Enjoy the delicious, soft, chewy cookie bars!

Equipment Needed

1. Preheated Oven set at 350°F
2. 9×13 inch baking pan or parchment paper for lining
3. Electric mixer or handheld whisk
4. 2 Mixing bowls (one for the butter-sugar mix and one for sifting the dry ingredients)
5. Sifter for the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt
6. Measuring cups and spoons
7. Spatula for mixing and spreading the batter and frosting
8. Small bowl for whipping up the frosting mix
9. Cooling rack or a clean counter space to let the bars cool completely

FAQ

The Best Sugar Cookie Bars (thick, Chewy, + Soft) Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• If you’re out of unsalted butter, you can use salted butter instead but just cut back a bit on the salt in the recipe
• Instead of granulated sugar, try using coconut sugar for a slightly deeper flavor note
• You can swap all-purpose flour for a gluten free flour blend if you’re looking for a gluten free option
• If you don’t have powdered sugar on hand for the frosting, you could blend regular granulated sugar until it’s fine enough
• Not a big fan of rainbow sprinkles? Mini chocolate chips work great as a fun and tasty alternative

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is soft but not melted – if its too soft or melted, your bars might turn out greasy rather than light and creamy.
2. When mixin in the dry ingredients, go slow and dont overdo it. Overmixin can make the texture tough instead of soft and tender.
3. Always sift your flour and leavening agents to avoid any clumps in your batter. This helps the bars bake more evenly.
4. Let the baked bars cool completely before you spread on that frosting. If they arent cooled, the frosting might slide off and not set right.