Growing up sugar cookies were a holiday tradition at our house. The only difference is when I discovered these sugar cookie bars. This recipe for sugar cookie bars reduced a three-hour commitment down to like 20 minutes. It was a baking epiphany in my kitchen.

Frosted sugar cookie bars are a modern-day twist on the classic cookie cutter sugar cookie. I still love cookie cutouts, but these cookie bars are perfect when you want a homemade cookie without the long term kitchen commitment.

The recipe is below, along with credit to the blog who inspired me by his charm.

The only thing that takes a little practice is the length of time in the oven.

I set my timer for 12 minutes and watched over these cookies for another two minutes.

That was the only tricky detail with these sugar cookie bars.

For the frosting, I made an ombre frosting trio, like when I made these spring bars. The ombre frosted sugar cookie bars took my skills up a notch..

kinda/sorta.

I was going for a fall seasonal ombre effect, but let’s just say orange is a finicky color to tint icing.

FROSTED SUGAR COOKIE BARS

adapted from Inspired by Charm

Print Recipe

Ingredients

2 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
2 tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.Line baking sheet with foil (for thicker bar use a smaller baking sheet).
In a large bowl: sift flour, baking powder & salt.
In separate bowl cream butter, sugar for about 3 minutes.
Add egg, sour cream and vanilla
Slowly add the flour mixture
Press the dough onto the baking sheet, bake for about 14 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups confectioners sugar
1/4 cup half and half or whole milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/2 tsp. almond extract
Food Coloring & sprinkles
Once cookie bars are cool spread the frosting on the cookie bar.Frost as desired the flour mixture
Press the dough onto the baking sheet, bake for 14-17 minutes until edges are lightly golden.FrostingOnce cookie bars are cool spread the frosting on the cookie bar.Frost as desired

I love everything about these sugar cookie bars; the frosting, the simplicity and the taste! They still taste and smell like the traditional frosted sugar cookie!