Sugar cookie bars with cream cheese frosting are an easy go-to treat that uses everyday pantry ingredients and transforms them into a tasty treat that everyone loves! They are soft and chewy and the cream cheese frosting is irresistible! Dress them up for holidays or serve them as the perfect after-school snack.
Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting
I can think of no better way to enjoy a sugar cookie than by turning it into a sugar cookie bar! I mean, what is better than a delicious cookie piled high with a delicious cream cheese frosting and sprinkles?
And I consider myself an expert because I am an absolute cookie fanatic! My brown butter cookie recipe will rock your world, and lately I can’t get enough of lemon sour cream cookies. But these sugar cookie bars are a game-changer!
I think sugar cookie bars with cream cheese frosting were invented for busy moms! I mean think about it, there is no easier way to make a sugar cookie than mixing up the dough, placing it in a pan, and enjoying it! There is no rolling, no multiple batches, no having the kids beg to cut them out or decorating them individually, these just make life easier without sacrificing the flavor we love! This amazing sugar cookie turned bar is the perfect blend of a soft, delicious cookie, with a chewy brownie. Top it with our easy homemade cream cheese frosting, and your mouth will be in paradise!
This sugar cookie bar recipe is the perfect dessert for any company or family. Be sure to check out our vanilla buttercream frosting recipe for another twist on this sugar cookie experience!
Why We Love This Recipe
There are so many reasons to love sugar cookie bars with cream cheese frosting!
- Easy to make!
- Very Little Prep!
- They serve a crowd! You can easily double the recipe for your next gathering!
- Make Ahead! That’s right you can easily make these ahead of time! (Directions below)
For more cookie fun check out these recipes!
Sugar Cookie Bar Recipe
If you love sugar cookies as much as I do you’ll love this fun twist! And they’re so easy to make!
Equipment needed
- Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
- 8×8 Baking Pan
- Parchment Paper
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Dough
- all purpose flour
- cornstarch
- baking powder
- baking soda
- salt
- unsalted butter, room temperature
- granulated sugar
- large egg
- vanilla
Cream Cheese Frosting
- unsalted butter
- cream cheese
- powdered sugar
- vanilla
- heavy cream
- pink gel food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat your oven to 350 F°
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla to the sugar mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Fold a piece of parchment paper to fit inside your 8*8 pan (this helps with easy removal later)
- Next, press the cookie dough into the pan making sure it’s spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 mins.
- Allow the cookie to cool completely before icing.
Icing Instructions
- In a medium bowl cream together the cream cheese and butter.
- Next add the powdered sugar, vanilla, heavy cream, and food coloring.
- Beat with stand or hand mixer until fluffy.
- Spread your frosting over the cookie and top with sprinkles.
- Lift the parchment paper out of the pan.
- Slice into bars, serve, and enjoy!
Tips, Tricks, and FAQ’s
- You can always make the classic pink frosted sugar cookie we all know and love, but the wonderful thing about these cookies is that they can be made to fit any occasion. You just need to change the color of the frosting and the sprinkles and your sugar cookie bars are ready to go.
- Because these sugar cookies take the shape of a bar you can divide the 8*8 pan into as many pieces as you like. If you have a lot of people wanting to enjoy this delicious treat you have 9, 12, 16 bars ready to go. If you have a particularly large sweet tooth you just have one giant cookie!
- You can easily double the recipe! Just bake in a 13x 9 pan and bake them for about 35 minutes.
How to store Sugar Cookie Bars
To keep your sugar cookie bars fresh, keep them in an airtight container. Place a piece of parchment paper between the cookie layers to ensure that the frosting doesn’t end up on the bottom of another cookie. If stored this way they will stay fresh and delicious for up to two weeks.
Can you freeze sugar cookie?
Yes, you can store sugar cookie bars that have not been frosted. Let them completely cool and then wrap them and place them in the freezer. These will store for up to 2 months.
When you are ready to enjoy, thaw in the fridge overnight and then frost and serve.
Can you make these ahead of time?
Yes, you can make these up to one day in advance. Prepare as directed up until the frosting and then cover and store at room temperature. Prior to serving, make the cream cheese frosting and add it to the top.
Here are more yummy recipes to try
- Peach Cobbler Cookies Recipe
- How to Make Delicious Whoopie Pie Cookies
- Easter M&M Cookies With Chocolate Chips
Did you make these Sugar Cookie Bars? Let us know what you think!
Sugar Cookie Bars
Sugar cookie bars with cream cheese frosting are an easy go-to treat that uses everyday pantry ingredients and transforms them into a tasty treat that everyone loves! They are soft and chewy and the cream cheese frosting is irresistible! Dress them up for holidays or serve them as the perfect after-school snack.
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ cup all purpose flour
- 1 tablespoon corn starch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp baking soda
- ¼ tsp salt
- ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp vanilla
- ½ cup unsalted butter
- ¼ cup cream cheese
- 2 cups powdered sugar.
- 1 tsp vanilla
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 drop pink gel food coloring
Instructions
- In a medium bowl whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl cream the butter and sugar together until fluffy.
- Add the egg and vanilla to the sugar mixture and mix thoroughly.
- Add the dry ingredients and mix well.
- Fold a piece of parchment paper to fit inside your 8*8 pan (this helps with easy removal later)
- Next, press the cookie dough into the pan making sure it’s spread evenly.
- Bake for 20-25 mins.
- Allow the cookie to cool completely before icing.
Michele is a mom of 5 with her degree in marriage and family studies. She believes that one of the best ways you can spend time with your family is doing fun things together.