Sugar Cookie Bars with Buttercream Frosting

Sugar Cookie Bars are a simple recipe with no chilling, rolling, or cutting.

A rather perfect cookie, in my opinion.

And so, so delicious, it’s terribly difficult to stop at just one. And so… I usually don’t!

What to Love About Sugar Cookie Bars

• Soft, with buttery layers that are utterly delicious, much like my Favorite Sugar Cookie Cutouts.
• Vanilla Buttercream Frosting makes the cookies special, festive… and hard to resist.
• Unlike sugar cookie cutouts, there is no rolling or cutting into shapes required.
• Perfect for afternoon tea, teatime, Valentine’s Day, parties, showers, gatherings… or just because!

Kitchen Equipment

Much like any cookie batter, a stand mixer or electric mixer is super helpful when creaming together the butter and sugar.

I like to use:

• Nonstick 9 x 13-inch baking pan, or nonstick baking pan (here’s the one I used from Target)
• Electric mixer or stand mixer
• Offset spatula is helpful to spread cookie dough and frosting

Sugar Cookie Ingredients

Specific ingredient measurements are in the recipe card at the bottom of this post — but here is a list of ingredients you’ll need:

Sugar Cookie Bars

• Butter, softened
• Granulated sugar
• Large eggs
• Vanilla extract
• All-purpose flour
• Baking powder
• Baking soda
• Salt

Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

• Butter, softened
• Salt
• Powdered sugar
• Vanilla extract
• Milk
• Sprinkles for decorating

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars

Preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar

In the bowl of a stand mixer or with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla; continue mixing until combined.

Step 2: Add the dry ingredients

Add the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. With a spatula, be sure all of the ingredients are combined.

Step 3: Press the cookie dough into the pan and bake

Transfer the cookie dough into a nonstick pan. With an offset spatula, spread the dough thinly until it completely covers the bottom of the pan.

Bake for 15 minutes, or until the bar cookies are golden brown on top.

How to Make Buttercream Frosting

While the cookies are cooling, make the frosting. Here’s how:

Step 1: Cream the butter and sugar

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for 5 to 6 minutes.

Step 2: Add the sugar

Reduce the speed to low and slowly add the salt and powdered sugar. Continue mixing until the sugar is fully combined.

Add the vanilla and milk; mix until incorporated.

Step 3: Mix and fluff the frosting

Then increase speed to medium-high and beat for another 6 to 6 minutes. If the frosting is too thick, add a bit of milk until you reach desired consistency.

More Bar Cookie Recipes You May Also Enjoy

• Coffee House Vonnie’s Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Apple Pie Bars: Easy Apple Crumble Bars
• Easy Strawberry Crumble Bars
• Easy Lemon Bars with Zested Shortbread Crust