Go Back
Homemade Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted) recipe photo
Print Recipe Save it for later

Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars (Frosted)

These Bakery-Soft Sugar Cookie Bars are irresistibly tender with a creamy vanilla frosting—easy, customizable, and perfect for sharing!
Prep Time20 minutes
Cook Time30 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: Bars, Easy, Frosted, Soft, Sugar Cookie
Servings: 12 servings

Ingredients

Dry Ingredients

  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Wet Ingredients & Sugars

  • 1 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Frosting

  • 1 cup confectioners' sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • food coloring optional

Instructions

Preparation

  • Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line your 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal of the bars after baking.

Mixing 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.

Creaming Wet Ingredients

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

Baking

  • 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.
  • 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.

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.
  • 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.

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch Baking Pan
  • Mixing Bowls
  • Electric mixer or stand mixer
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Spatula
  • Whisk
  • Cooling rack

Notes

  • Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate up to a week.
  • Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months; thaw completely before frosting.
  • Warm individual bars for 10-15 seconds in the microwave to refresh softness.
  • Customize frosting color with food coloring or natural alternatives like beet juice.