Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted)

If you love the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture of bakery sugar cookies but want an easy, slice-and-serve option, these Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted) are your new best friend. Imagine soft, buttery bars with just the right sweetness, topped with a creamy, dreamy frosting that you can personalize with your favorite colors. These bars bring all the nostalgia and flavor of classic sugar cookies, but with the convenience of a bar cookie that’s perfect for sharing or gift-giving. Whether you’re baking for a party, holiday, or just an everyday treat, this recipe will quickly become a staple in your dessert repertoire.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Soft and tender texture: These bars have that perfect bakery softness that melts in your mouth.
• Easy to make: No need to roll out dough or cut individual cookies—just bake in a pan and slice.
• Customizable frosting: The simple vanilla frosting can be left plain or colored with food coloring for any occasion.
• Family-friendly: Everyone loves sugar cookies, and these bars are kid-approved and great for gatherings.
• Long-lasting freshness: These bars stay soft for days when stored properly, making them perfect for make-ahead treats.

Your Shopping Guide

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides the structure for your cookie bars. Make sure it’s fresh for the best rise and texture.
• Baking Soda & Baking Powder: These leavening agents help the bars rise just enough to stay light and fluffy.
• Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances flavors.
• Unsalted Butter: Use softened butter to achieve that rich, creamy texture. Avoid margarine or spreads for authentic flavor.
• Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with the soft crumb.
• Brown Sugar: Adds moisture and a subtle caramel note to the bars.
• Vanilla Extract: Key for that classic sugar cookie flavor both in the dough and frosting.
• Large Eggs: Bind everything together and contribute to the tender texture.
• Confectioners’ Sugar: For the frosting’s smooth, silky finish.
• Milk: Adds moisture to the frosting, making it spreadable and creamy.
• Food Coloring (Optional): Perfect for customizing the frosting to match seasons or celebrations.

Tools of the Trade

• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Ideal size for even baking and perfect bar thickness.
• Mixing Bowls: For combining dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Electric Mixer or Stand Mixer: Makes creaming butter and sugars effortless.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Accurate measurements ensure perfect results.
• Spatula: For folding ingredients and spreading batter evenly.
• Whisk: Helps blend the frosting ingredients smoothly.
• Cooling Rack: Allows bars to cool completely before frosting.

Step-by-Step: Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted)

Step 1: Preheat and Prep

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal of the bars after baking.

Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking soda, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1 teaspoon salt. Set aside.

Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar and 1 cup packed brown sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. This step is crucial for soft, tender bars.

Step 4: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then mix in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.

Step 6: Bake the Bars

Spread the cookie dough evenly into your prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs. Don’t overbake to keep the softness.

Step 7: Cool Completely

Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before frosting. This prevents the frosting from melting and sliding off.

Step 8: Make the Frosting

In a small bowl, whisk together 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, 2 tablespoons milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth. If desired, add a few drops of food coloring and mix until evenly tinted.

Step 9: Frost and Serve

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Let the frosting set for 15-20 minutes before slicing into squares. Enjoy immediately or store for later indulgence.

Budget & Availability Swaps

• Butter: If unsalted butter is unavailable, use salted butter but reduce added salt in the recipe.
• Milk: Substitute with any plant-based milk such as almond or oat milk for the frosting if preferred.
• Vanilla Extract: Use vanilla bean paste or vanilla powder if extract is hard to find.
• Flour: While all-purpose is ideal, you can experiment with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free version.
• Food Coloring: Natural alternatives like beet juice or turmeric powder mixed into frosting can add color without artificial dyes.

What Not to Do

• Do not overmix the batter once the dry ingredients are added; overmixing can make the bars tough.
• Avoid baking the bars too long; they should be just set and slightly golden on edges to maintain softness.
• Don’t frost the bars when they are warm, or the frosting will melt and run off.
• Resist the urge to skip the brown sugar—it adds essential moisture and flavor to the bars.

Storage & Reheat Guide

Store your frosted Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted) in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. For longer storage, refrigerate them for up to a week; just allow them to come to room temperature before serving for the best texture. You can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months—just thaw completely before frosting.

To refresh the softness, warm individual bars in the microwave for 10-15 seconds before serving. This brings back that fresh-baked feel instantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free baking blend that measures 1:1 for flour. Just be sure it contains xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the texture.

How do I keep the frosting from cracking?

Make sure the bars are completely cooled before frosting. Also, avoid adding too much confectioners’ sugar in the frosting; it should be smooth and spreadable, not stiff.

Can I use a different frosting?

Absolutely! Cream cheese frosting or a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and lemon juice are delicious alternatives that pair well with these bars.

How thick should I cut the bars?

Cut them into squares about 2 inches wide for perfect bite-sized portions. This thickness balances the soft cookie base with the creamy frosting.

What to Make After This

• Try the cozy Apple Butter Snickerdoodle Bars for a spiced twist on classic bars.
• If you want a gluten-free treat, the Flourless Chocolate Chip Cookies are a fantastic next bake.
• For nutty, buttery indulgence, you can’t go wrong with Chocolate Chip Butter Pecan Cookies.

Let’s Eat

There’s something so satisfying about a soft sugar cookie—especially when it’s baked as a bar and topped with luscious frosting. These Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted) hit the sweet spot between classic and convenient. Whether you’re sharing with friends or sneaking a few for yourself, they deliver pure cookie bliss in every bite. So grab your mixing bowl, preheat that oven, and get ready to enjoy these tender, buttery bars that taste just like your favorite bakery treat. Happy baking!

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