Sugar cookie bars with cream cheese & classic buttercream frosting.

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In summer, we’re all looking for quick and easy throw together food. These sugar cookie bars are exactly that, without compromising any flavor!

Sugar cookie bars are so dang easy to whip together. No spooning out individual cookies and waisting time in the kitchen when you’d rather be out camping or on the lake. Throw these bars together before heading out on your next adventure. Everyone will rave over your quick and easy dessert!

I tried a few different cookie bars on Pinterest before putting this post together. They were all a bit dry and not quite sweet enough. These bars needed to be perfect. Then I remembered my sugar cookie recipe made with cream cheese, adapted from The Bake Sale Cookbook, and knew I’d recreate them as bars.

Evelyn had to be cut off she was sneaking so many! Though it’s hard to say no to that face!

I’d call them a complete success!!!!

The secret to these bars: cream cheese!

Cream cheese absolutely makes these bars. If you haven’t had cram cheese sugar cookies before, you’re missing out on the best things in life.

These babies are just the right amount of sweet, and topped with the same classic buttercream I use on almost all of my cakes, they’re not a dessert you can simply walk away from. 😉

These bars could easily be used as a birthday cake alternative for those who don’t love cake.

Example #1 of someone who doesn’t like cake: my son.

Ironic that someone who’s made cakes as a side gig her whole life ends up with a child that does’t like them. He’d prefer cookies, donuts, or ice cream over cake or cupcakes any day of the week!

If this is too big of a bar or you’re having a smaller gathering, this recipe can easily be halved.

Sugar Cookie Bars

This quick and easy dessert is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 40 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 32

Calories 120 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 2 cups butter, room temperature (4 sticks of butter)
• 8 ounces cream cheese (1 large package)
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 egg yolks, room temperature
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 5 cups all purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt

Instructions

 

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees
• Place butter, cream cheese, and sugar in mixing bowl and mix on low. Scrape down sides of bowl and add egg yolks and vanilla. Add flour and salt, mix until everything is well incorporated.
• Take a 9×12 baking pan, and cover in parchment paper. Scoop cookie dough into center and taking wax paper (or more parchment paper covered in butter), place on top and use to press dough into pan.
• Bake at 325 for 20 minutes, or until sides are slightly brown. Cooking time may vary depending on altitude and climate. Watch carefully. It's better to undercook slightly.
• Let bars cool completly before attempting to lift them out of the cookie sheet. Chill slightly if possible. Tip pan and carfully slide bars out with partchment paper.
• Trim off sides before frositing. Frost, cut into 2" x 2" pieces. Enjoy!

Keyword cookie,

This buttercream recipe I’ve been using ever since I made my first wedding cake, over fourteen years ago now!

Classic Buttercream Frosting

erynwhalen

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 3 minutes mins

Cook Time 1 minute min

Additional Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 5 minutes mins

Servings 6 cups frosting

Calories 207 kcal

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup butter
• 3 to 5 cups powdered sugar
• 1 Tbsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 Tbsp heavy cream

Instructions

 

• Begin by whipping the room temperature butter until it's light and fluffy.
• Gradually add 1 cup of powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined. Next, add the salt, vanilla, and heavy cream, stirring gently to incorporate.
• Slowly mix in the remaining powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
  
  The amount of powdered sugar can vary based on personal preference. I tend to like my frosting a bit thicker, so I add more.
• If you're unsure, start with about 4 cups and adjust from there. Some prefer a thinner consistency for crumb coats and a thicker frosting for decorating.

Notes

Versatility: This frosting can be used for a variety of desserts, including cakes, cupcakes, and cookies. Its classic flavor makes it a perfect match for almost any baked treat.

Consistency Tips: You have a lot of flexibility with the consistency. If you're looking for a lighter, more spreadable frosting, stick closer to the 3-cup range for powdered sugar. For a firmer, pipeable consistency, increase the powdered sugar to 5 cups.

Custom Flavor Options: While vanilla extract gives the frosting a traditional flavor, you can easily swap it out or add other extracts like almond, lemon, or coconut to suit the dessert you're making.

Adjusting for Different Conditions: Humidity and temperature can affect the frosting's consistency. If you're in a warmer environment, consider adding slightly more powdered sugar to help it hold its shape. Conversely, in colder conditions, you might need to add more heavy cream for a smoother spread.

Storage: This buttercream frosting can be made ahead of time. Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. When ready to use, allow it to come to room temperature and re-whip to restore its fluffy texture.

Yield Consideration: This recipe yields about 6 cups of frosting, which is enough to frost a standard two-layer cake or around 24 cupcakes, depending on how generously you apply the frosting.

Troubleshooting: If your frosting becomes too thick, add a little more heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, to thin it out. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar in small increments until you reach your desired texture.

Decoration Tips: For those wanting to decorate, this frosting holds its shape well when piped. If you’re doing intricate designs, you may want to add additional powdered sugar for extra stiffness.

Keyword butter cream, cookies, frosting,

I’ll be making a unicorn version of these bars for Evelyn’s birthday party coming up in a few weeks. Love how versatile they are!

Let me know if you make them. And please, rate five stars if you enjoy! Thanks friends!

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