Description
Delectable sugar cookie bars blend buttery richness with classic sweetness. Crumbly edges and smooth center promise delightful comfort for dessert lovers who crave simple, homemade treats.
Ingredients
Scale
- ¾ cup (150 grams) sugar
- 1 whole egg
- ½ cup (113 grams) butter, softened
- 3 tbsps cream cheese, softened
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 cups (454 grams) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract
- 2 tbsps milk
- ¼ cup (57 grams) butter, softened (for frosting)
- Pink food coloring gel (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9-inch pan with parchment paper, ensuring complete bottom and side coverage.
- Creaming: Blend unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light, fluffy, and pale, creating a voluminous mixture that forms a smooth base for the cookie bars.
- Wet Ingredients Integration: Add egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and softened cream cheese to the butter mixture, thoroughly combining until a uniform, creamy consistency develops.
- Dry Ingredients Incorporation: Gently fold sifted all-purpose flour and baking powder into the wet ingredients, mixing carefully to form a soft, cohesive dough without overworking the batter.
- Baking Preparation: Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan, using an offset spatula to create a level surface that reaches all corners and ensures uniform baking.
- Baking and Cooling: Bake for 20-25 minutes until edges turn golden-brown and the center becomes slightly firm. Allow the bars to cool completely to room temperature.
- Frosting Creation: Whip softened butter, then gradually add powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting becomes light and spreadable. Optional: Incorporate a few drops of pink food coloring for a delicate pastel effect.
- Finishing Touches: Once cooled, spread frosting evenly across the surface using a clean offset spatula. Optionally, sprinkle with colorful decorations for added visual appeal.
- Serving: Slice into uniform squares and serve at room temperature, showcasing the delightful sugar cookie bars.
Notes
- Prevent Tough Texture: Avoid overmixing the dough to maintain a tender, soft cookie bar with delicate crumb structure.
- Ensure Even Baking: Use an offset spatula to spread dough uniformly, guaranteeing consistent thickness and preventing uneven cooking spots.
- Control Moisture Balance: Let bars cool completely before frosting to prevent melting and maintain structural integrity of the baked goods.
- Temperature Precision: Use room temperature ingredients for smoother mixing and more consistent baking results, especially with butter and cream cheese.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 17
- Calories: 239
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 75 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 6 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg