Easter Sugar Cookie Bars (Printable)
Soft sugar cookie bars with creamy pastel frosting and festive Easter sprinkles, perfect for spring celebrations.
# What You'll Need:
→ 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 (optional)
→ 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 (pink, yellow, green, purple)
→ Decoration
14 - Festive Easter sprinkles
# Directions:
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 well combined.
03 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition. Mix in vanilla extract and almond extract if using.
05 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing to maintain tender texture.
06 - Evenly spread dough in the prepared pan using a spatula for a smooth surface. Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are barely golden and center is set.
07 - Beat butter until creamy. Blend in powdered sugar, vanilla, and 2 tablespoons milk. Adjust consistency with additional milk if needed. Divide and tint with pastel food coloring if desired.
08 - Spread frosting evenly over completely cooled cookie base. Sprinkle with festive Easter decorations while frosting is slightly tacky.
09 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 equal squares. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days or refrigerate for 1 week.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- Soft, tender bars that stay fresh longer than traditional cookies
- The frosting canvas lets you get creative with colors without the fuss of piping
02 -
- These bars continue baking slightly from residual heat, so pull them when the center looks set
- Room temperature ingredients prevent lumpy frosting and ensure even baking
03 -
- Chill the frosted bars for 15 minutes before cutting for cleaner edges
- Mix gel food coloring into a small amount of frosting first, then fold into the main bowl