Simple Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting: The Easy Sheet Pan Dessert That Feeds a Crowd
Why You’ll Love This Simple Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Craving homemade cookies but don’t have time to roll, cut, and bake individual rounds? These Simple Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are your answer! Instead of spending hours making dozens of individual cookies, you’ll press one batch of dough into a pan, bake it, and frost the whole thing at once. The result? Soft, chewy cookie bars topped with rich cream cheese frosting that taste just like your favorite sugar cookies—but with a fraction of the work.
These bars are perfect for potlucks, bake sales, office parties, or any time you need to feed a crowd without the fuss. The base is tender and buttery with that classic sugar cookie flavor, while the cream cheese frosting adds the perfect creamy finish. Plus, they’re beginner-friendly and nearly impossible to mess up!
Recipe Details
| Prep Time | Cook Time | Total Time | Servings | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 mins | 25 mins | 40 mins | 24 bars | Easy |
What You’ll Need
For the Cookie Bars:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (if needed for consistency)
For the Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2-3 tablespoons milk (for desired consistency)
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional, for decoration)
Substitutions:
- Dairy-free: Use vegan butter and dairy-free cream cheese
- Lower sugar: Reduce granulated sugar to 1¼ cups (bars will be less sweet)
- Gluten-free: Substitute with 1:1 gluten-free flour blend
Step-by-Step Directions
1. Prepare Your Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray.
Pro Tip: Don’t skip the parchment paper! It makes removing the bars so much easier and prevents sticking.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set this aside—you’ll add it to the wet ingredients later.
3. Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial for tender bars!
4. Add Eggs and Vanilla
Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
Pro Tip: Make sure your eggs are at room temperature—they’ll incorporate better into the batter. Forgot to take them out early? Place them in a bowl of warm water for 5-10 minutes.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. Don’t overmix! If the dough seems too thick to spread easily, add 2-3 tablespoons of milk until you reach a spreadable consistency.
6. Press Into Pan and Bake
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan using your hands or an offset spatula. The dough will be thick—that’s normal! Bake for 22-25 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but still soft.
7. Cool Completely
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting—this usually takes about 1 hour. Warm bars will melt the frosting, so patience is key here!
8. Make the Cream Cheese Frosting
While the bars cool, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Add vanilla extract and 2-3 tablespoons of milk until you reach your desired consistency. The frosting should be spreadable but not runny.
9. Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars using an offset spatula. Add food coloring for tinted frosting or top with sprinkles if desired.
10. Cut and Serve
Use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Cut into 24 squares using a sharp knife, wiping the blade clean between cuts for neat edges.
How to Serve
These sugar cookie bars are delicious on their own, but here are some serving ideas to make them extra special:
Perfect pairings: Serve alongside fresh berries, a glass of cold milk, or your favorite hot beverage. They’re also wonderful with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert.
Party presentation: Cut into smaller squares for bite-sized treats at parties, or leave them larger for a more substantial dessert. The cream cheese frosting makes them feel fancy enough for special occasions.
Seasonal decorating: Use different colored frostings and sprinkles to match holidays—pastel colors for Easter, red and green for Christmas, or school colors for graduation parties.
Expert Tips for Success
Storage and Make-Ahead:
Store covered at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to one week. The bars actually taste better the next day as the flavors meld together! You can also freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months—just thaw and frost when ready to serve.
Flavor Variations:
- Lemon bars: Add 2 tablespoons lemon zest to the dough and 1 tablespoon to the frosting
- Almond version: Replace vanilla extract with almond extract (use half the amount)
- Chocolate chip twist: Fold 1 cup mini chocolate chips into the dough before baking
Texture Tips:
For chewier bars, slightly underbake them (20-22 minutes). For crispier edges, bake for the full 25 minutes. The center should always be set but still soft when you remove them from the oven.
Storage Secret: Place a piece of bread in the container with your bars—it helps keep them soft and prevents the frosting from drying out.
Common Questions
Can I make these without cream cheese frosting?
Absolutely! These bars are delicious with simple powdered sugar glaze, chocolate frosting, or even just a dusting of powdered sugar. You could also drizzle melted chocolate over the top.
Why are my bars too crumbly?
This usually happens when the dough is too dry. Make sure your butter is properly softened (not melted) and add a tablespoon or two of milk if the dough seems stiff. Overmixing can also cause crumbly texture.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Use two 9×13-inch pans or one large sheet pan. Keep an eye on baking time—larger pans may need a few extra minutes. You’ll need to double all frosting ingredients too.
How do I know when they’re done baking?
The edges should be lightly golden, and the center should be set but still look slightly soft. They’ll continue cooking slightly as they cool. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with just a few moist crumbs.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes! Freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly for up to 3 months. Frosted bars can be frozen for up to 1 month, though the frosting texture may change slightly when thawed.
Final Thoughts
These Simple Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting prove that homemade doesn’t have to mean complicated. With just one bowl, one pan, and about 40 minutes total, you’ll have a dessert that looks and tastes like you spent hours in the kitchen. The soft, buttery cookie base paired with rich cream cheese frosting creates the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
Whether you’re new to baking or just looking for an easier way to satisfy your sugar cookie cravings, this recipe delivers every time. The bars stay soft for days, travel well, and can be customized with different flavors and decorations to suit any occasion. Give them a try—your family and friends will be asking for the recipe!
