The Best Sugar Cookie Bars (Thick, Chewy, + Soft)
Introduction
These Best Sugar Cookie Bars deliver all the beloved flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture of classic sugar cookies—but with zero hassle from rolling or cutting dough. Imagine thick, chewy, and soft cookie bars crowned with a blanket of creamy frosting; they’re irresistible, festive, and perfectly portable for parties or potlucks.
Skip the fuss of traditional cookies—these bars are easy to whip together and transport, making them a go-to dessert when you need something reliably crowd-pleasing and visually stunning.
Why These Sugar Cookie Bars Stand Out
What sets these bars apart is their pillowy thickness and chewy bite. The secret lies in the right ratio of butter, sugar, and a balanced bake. Each bite bursts with buttery sweetness and a hint of vanilla, topped with a smooth cream cheese frosting that adds tangy contrast. Plus, their soft and tender crumb makes them far less likely to dry out than regular cookies.
No rolling pin, no cookie cutters—just spread, bake, frost, and slice.
Getting the Texture Just Right
The secret to achieving a soft, thick, and chewy bar starts with creaming butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Precise measuring makes a difference here. A Amazon Basics Digital Kitchen Scale with LCD Display, Black and Stainless Steel will ensure that every ingredient is spot-on for consistent results.
Don’t overbake! The bars should look just set in the center when you pull them from the oven; they’ll continue to firm up as they cool, guaranteeing that sought-after chew.
Frosting and Decorating These Sugar Cookie Bars
Once your bars have cooled, spread on a cloud of creamy frosting—classic vanilla or tangy cream cheese work wonderfully. For flawless edges and easy release, line your baking pan using Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll; it makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift the bars out for neat slicing.
To achieve smooth, even frosting, use an offset spatula or a silicone tool. Finish with a sprinkle of colored sugar or festive sprinkles for visual wow factor.
Serving and Storing Your Sugar Cookie Bars
Slice these delectable bars into squares or rectangles and arrange them on a platter lined with a Pureegg Plastic Table Cloth Disposable for easy post-party cleanup. For fresh leftovers, stash the bars in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers—they’ll keep soft and chewy for days.
Perfect for lunchboxes, parties, or just a well-deserved treat with coffee or tea!
Nutritional Information and Serving Size
This recipe yields about 24 generous bars. Each frosted bar typically contains 180–220 calories, depending on your frosting and decoration choices. Sweet, soft, and best appreciated in moderation.
The Best Sugar Cookie Bars – Recap
Thick, chewy, and unbelievably soft, these sugar cookie bars channel all the nostalgic flavor of classic sugar cookies with a fraction of the work. They’re versatile, fun to decorate, and sure to become a go-to favorite for any dessert lover.
Ingredients
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with Reynolds Kitchens Brown Parchment Paper Roll, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together using a hand mixer or stand mixer until pale and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Beat in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and sour cream until smooth and well-combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan (dough will be thick—use a spatula to help smooth). Bake for 18–22 minutes, until edges are set and just very lightly golden. Do not overbake; bars should appear soft in the center.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- For the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in vanilla extract and enough milk to reach spreadable consistency.
- Spread frosting generously over cooled bars. Add sprinkles or sanding sugar for a festive finish.
- Lift the bars out of the pan using parchment, slice into squares with a sharp knife, and serve. Store leftovers in Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers at room temperature for up to 3 days (or chilled for longer freshness).
Cook and Prep Times
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 18–22 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
These sugar cookie bars are thick, chewy, soft, and absolutely irresistible—the kind of dessert everyone will request on repeat.
