Easter Sugar Cookie Bars (Print version)
Soft sugar cookie bars with creamy pastel frosting and festive sprinkles, perfect for Easter celebrations.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
08 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
→ Frosting
09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2-3 tablespoons whole milk or cream
12 - 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Food coloring in pastel tones
→ Decoration
14 - Festive Easter sprinkles
# How To Make It:
01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and line a 9x13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly blended.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in vanilla and almond extracts.
04 - Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
05 - Press dough evenly into the prepared pan. Use a spatula to create a smooth, level surface.
06 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are barely golden and center is set. Do not overbake. Cool completely in the pan.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk. Beat until smooth and fluffy; add more milk if needed for spreadable consistency. Divide and tint with pastel food coloring if desired.
08 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookie base. Immediately decorate with Easter sprinkles before frosting sets.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Soft, pillowy cookie base that stays tender for days unlike traditional cutout cookies that can harden
- Endless decorating possibilities that turn ordinary baking into a creative family activity
02 -
- Overbaking is the enemy—pull them from the oven when they look slightly underdone since they continue cooking as they cool
- Room temperature ingredients combine more smoothly, creating a uniform texture throughout the bars
03 -
- Add a teaspoon of lemon zest to the frosting for brightness that cuts through the sweetness
- Chill the frosted bars for 15 minutes before cutting to get cleaner, professional-looking squares