These Sugar Cookie Bars with Buttercream Frosting melt in your mouth. Each bite of these amazing Cookie Bars are like the thick, chewy center of a sugar cookie – but better!
Originally published January 2017, updated with video and tips
I can’t be trusted with a working oven, a little sugar and butter. Especially if there’s anything to celebrate. You all loved my sugar cookie cake so much, I decided to make it in bar form. That’s right, melt-in-your-mouth frosted sugar cookie bars with thick buttercream icing. They’re so indulgent and oh so good.
When you have a really great cookie dough recipe like these melt in your mouth sugar cookies, it’s hard not to imagine it in other forms beyond a cookie. This dough makes incredible cookie cobblers, cookie cakes, and cookie bars, because why not? Each has its own incredible texture and consistency.
When you put my melt in your mouth sugar cookie dough into a 9×9 or 9×13 pan (depending on how ridiculously thick you want them), they are so moist, chewy and delectable. Just one bite and you’ll see why Chris can’t stop at one. I’ve been known to munch on them for breakfast. That’s acceptable, right?
Cookie Bars are quicker and easier to make than cookies because you don’t have to scoop the dough out and bake one cookie sheet after another. Just spread the dough in your baking dish and bake all at once, and frost all at once. It’s a huge time saver.
The other reason I love making Sugar Cookie Bars is because each bite tastes like the thick, chewy center of a sugar cookie. There are no crisp edges, only melt-in-your-mouth centers! They’re so soft, sweet and flavorful. I love the texture just as much. The creamy buttercream is perfection!
Table of Contents
What Kind of Dish to Make Cookie Bars In
You can bake Cookie Bars in your favorite dish or multiple dishes. Just about any size and shape will do. Here are just a few suggestions:
- 9×9
- 9×13 pan
- casserole dish
- pie dish
- tart pan
- sheet pan
The thicker your cookie bar, the longer you’ll need to bake. Likewise, should you choose to make them thinner, you may want to reduce baking time. Whatever you do, don’t over bake. That’s what makes them so amazing.
Just cut them into squares once they’ve cooled for the perfect handheld treat. If you can’t wait, you can cut them in just 15 minutes to enjoy.
Well, that and the fact that I use oil and butter. Don’t judge! That’s what gives them the melt-in-your-mouth quality that makes them so addicting.
These Cookie Bars are great for birthdays, Valentine’s Day, picnics, barbecues, Christmas, parties and so much more! Basically, anything you need a quick, easy and incredible dessert for! They even make a delicious birthday “cake”!
Sugar Cookie Bars are always a crowd pleasing dessert for adults and kids alike. No need to make multiple options! If you love these, you’ll also love this easy and adorable Donut Cake!
Sugar Cookie Bar Ingredients
These bars use staple ingredients. The combination of both butter and vegetable oil make them melt-in-your-mouth-delicious!
- Butter
- Vegetable Oil
- Sugar
- Powdered Sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla
- Flour
- Salt
- Cream of Tartar
- Baking Soda
Buttercream Icing Ingredients
- Butter
- Powdered Sugar
- Milk or Heavy Cream
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
They’re so quick and easy! Continue for the full printable recipe card below.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- In a large bowl or mixing bowl, combine butter, oil, sugars and vanilla extract until light and fluffy. Blend in eggs.
- Add flour, salt, cream of tarter and baking soda. Blend until incorporated.
- Grease baking dish with cookie spray. Press dough into dish. Using a piece of parchment or paper, smooth the top.
- Bake.
- Meanwhile blend butter (at room temperature), slowly add powdered sugar and milk until light and fluffy. You can add food coloring into frosting if you’d like.
- Smooth icing onto cooled cookie bars.
- Top with candies, sprinkles and more.
You can decorate these Cookie Bars in so many different ways – the options are endless! Use your favorite candies, sprinkles, and more to customize these bars for any occasion. You can also set up a bar for kids to decorate their own!
Tips
- Beat butter, oil and sugar until light and fluffy. It contributes to the incredible texture of these bars.
- Use both butter and oil – it gives them the best texture.
- Don’t over bake. You want them to be ever so slightly golden brown. They will continue to bake as they cool.
- Bring butter to room temperature for a smooth, luscious frosting.
- If you have heavy cream, use it in lieu of milk to make the creamiest frosting.
Enjoy them at room temperature or refrigerated. I personally prefer at room temperature. Refrigerating however makes the icing easier to cut through. You can enjoy this for up to 5 days when stored at room temperature covered and up to 7 days refrigerated. You can even freeze them up to the 6 months when sealed tight, though they are best enjoyed fresh.
You can pin this recipe below to save it for later!
More Amazing Cookie Bar Recipes
- No Bake Peanut Butter Bars
- Caramel Oatmeal Cookie Bars
- Cookie Butter Bars
- Chocolate Chip Salted Caramel Cookie Bars
- Easy Salted Caramel Pecan Pie Bars
You’ll also love these adorable Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies for Valentine’s Day!
To see just how easy these Cookie Bars are, watch the video in the recipe card below (and don’t forget to click subscribe on YouTube!)
Melt in Your Mouth Sugar Cookie Bars with Buttercream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup vegetable oil
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 4 1/2 cup flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
Buttercream Icing
- 1 cup butter softened
- 5 cup powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Combine butter, oil, sugars and vanilla until smooth. Blend in eggs.
- Add flour, salt, cream of tarter and baking soda until blended in.
- Press dough into a greased pan, and use parchment paper to smooth the top if desired.
- Bake 20 minutes or until firm watching carefully as to not over bake.
Buttercream Icing
- Combine 1 cup softened butter, 5 cup powdered sugar and ¼ cup milk until smooth.
- Allow bars cool, ice, slice and serve.
I made this for Valentines Day for my mother and father in law. Now she requested it for her birthday. She says it’s her favorite! We all agree that it’s SO good! Thank you for the great recipe!!
Thank you, Courtney! I’m glad you all enjoyed them. I can’t be trusted around a full pan of them!
Can these be frozen
They sure can!
Yummy!!!!!! Easy and so very delicious. Will make them again in a few days! Everyone LOVES them! Thank you so much for the recipe!!!
Yay! Thanks for sharing, Carolyn! I truly appreciate it!
I love how easy bar cookies are and the hearts make them perfect for Valentines Day!!
I’m not a fan of babysitting cookies – and these bars were the perfect solution! Great recipe for any occasion!! ?
YUM! Perfect for Valentine’s Day. Love the cute candy hearts on top!
That buttercream icing is calling my name! These cookie bars maybe a delicious Valentines treat for my family.
I bought all the ingredients to make these tomorrow with my girls! They sound so yummy and are so cute!
These are adorable! These will be a perfect after school treat for my kids on Valentine’s Day!
So pretty and delicious! Love how tasty they turned out!
I couldn’t be trusted around these! They look so good I would want to eat them all!
Sugar cookie bars are my favorite! I love making them for crowds & they are always a hit! They are even better with that buttercream frosting!
These are so good and so easy! Fun to decorate for any holiday!
These are adorable! Happy Valentine’s Day!
If making in a 9×13 pan, how long would you bake Julie?
I’d check it at 17 minutes. Enjoy!
I made these tonight and they are delicious! Do you store them in the refrigerator?
No, I just cover with seran wrap and leave on the counter. Enjoy!
I made these yesterday and took them to our bowling league – everybody raved about them and I got a couple of requests for the recipe. They are delicious!!
Yay! Success! Thanks for stopping back by to share. Have a Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love a good cookie bar! These look so easy and yummy, I’m going to have to give them a try! So glad to be a part of the Cookies for Kids’ Cancer group this year.
I just made these as a surprise vday treat for my husband and he loves them! Thank you for such an easy recipe idea
I’m so glad he enjoyed them as well! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Mmmm. Cookie bars are always a wonderful treat to enjoy. I can’t believe less than 4% of funding goes toward treating childhood cancer. Thank you for supporting such a wonderful cause.
It’s heartbreaking!
I am a sucker for a good bar cookie, and have never thought to turn a sugar cookie into a bar. Genius idea! I am so happy that you have inspired me to think outside the box with this great recipe! Happy Valentine’s Day!
I love cookies in bar form because they all taste like the chewy center of a cookie, which is my favorite part. Happy Valentine’s Day!
Wow! These sound so so good. I think I have all the ingredients too. I see our next dessert right here.
Enjoy!
Just made these yesterday and they are delicious. We can’t stop eating them!!
I used a 9×13 pan as suggested. For a thinner bar, I would suggest using a jelly roll pan and for thicker, use a 9×13. Based on my outcome, the dough would overflow a 9×9 pan and make a mess out of your oven.
I made mine in a 9×9 ????
So glad you loved them!
Oh my gosh Julie!! This looks AMAZING…. I might just make these bars for tomorrow’s super bowl party. Why not spoil the guests!
It’s always good to have a share plan so you don’t over indulge, but have an excuse to indulge, right? Have fun!
These are so adorable! I love the candy hearts on top. So thankful to be part of such a talented group of bloggers for this event!
Julie, these bars are making me so hungry now! They looks so delicious! I’m honored to be a part of this great event with you.
Julie, these bars look divine! It’s wonderful participing in this campaign with you… such a great cause!
OMG, these look so good! Definitely on my must make list ~ I’m happy to be supporting Cookies for Kids’ Cancer with you!
These look so pillowy and decadent!! Love that cookie dough can take on all different forms. Very creative!
Julie, these look scrumptious! I’m happy to be participating with this awesome group for such a worthy cause! Have a blessed day!
These look delicious!
Julie, these look so delicious! I’m happy to be a part of the Cookies For Kids Bloggers’ Valentine’s Event with you!
These look amazing. I might just have to reschedule my whole day to make them right now!