Sink your teeth into these homemade patriotic sugar cookie bars! A homemade soft sugar cookie bar that is studded with red and blue sprinkles, and topped with a thick and velvety vanilla frosting and more sprinkles. A 4th of July cookie bar recipe that is a perfect sliceable dessert for kids and adults.
I love cookie bars as you get the flavor of cookies but you bake the bars all at once instead of batches like you would making cookies. No need to refrigerate the cookie dough, just mix, dump and bake. An easy patriotic dessert to enjoy as you watch the fireworks crackle.
These Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars Are:
- A homemade sugar cookie bar that is made from scratch.
- Studded with colorful sprinkles to add a splash of color to each bite.
- I used homemade vanilla frosting to bring these cookies to a whole new level.
- A sliceable dessert that is great to take to a summer cookout, or pool party, or serve up after dinner is over.
Ingredients You Will Need
Flour – Reach for all purpose flour that you will use a spoon to scoop into the measuring cup. Then use a knife to level off the top.
Baking Powder – This is going to be the levening agent for making the cookie bars.
Salt – Sea salt will enhance all the flavors of the cookie bars.
Butter – Unsalted butter that is softened to room temperature is what you will use.
Granulated Sugar – For the sweetener in the recipe you will use granulated sugar. This is the base to the sugar cookie recipe.
Eggs – Room temperature large eggs are what you will use for this recipe. If you use room temperature it will mix in better with the batter.
Vanilla – A splash of vanilla is used to ehnace the flavor. If you want you can also use 1/2 teaspoon vanilla and 1/4 teaspoon almond extract if you love almond extract in your sugar cookies.
Sprinkles – Now you can use any of your favorite red, white, and blue sprinkles. Jimmie sprinkles work wonderfully when you are making these sugar cookies.
Whole Milk – I used whole milk for the frosting. It is going to help thin it up enough but also add some richness.
Expert Tip: Depending on the thickness you can add less or more milk to thin or thicken up the frosting as well as powdered sugar.
How To Make
Full steps on how to make these sugar cookie bars are in the printable recipe card. This is a quick visual walk through for readers.
- Preheat the oven and prep your baking dish with parchment paper and cooking spray. Then set it aside.
- In a large bowl add your dry ingredients. Then mix well and set to the side.
- Next, in a stand mixer you will add the paddle attachment and add the butter and sugar and mix until it is nice and fluffy. I mixed for 2-3 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides as it is mixing up.
- Then you will add in the eggs, vanilla, and mix again.
- Then slowly add in the dry ingredients, and mix to combine the sugar cookie dough.
- Pour the dough into the pan, and bake as directed. You want to make sure the cookies are fully cooked.
- While the bars cool you will add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt and mix well. If it is too thin add a bit more powdered sugar. Or too thick add a bit more milk to create a nice creamy texture.
- Spread the frosting on the cooled cookies and top with more sprinkles. Then slice and cut into bars and serve up the sugar cookie patriotic bars.
Also consider trying these strawberry glazed sugar cookies for another sweet treat for everyone to enjoy.
Pro Tips For Success
Here are some helpful tips for making your sugar cookie bars that turn out light and fluffy.
- If you want you are welcome to make any type of frosting. Buttercream, cream cheese frosting, etc. Feel free to use any frosting you make from scratch or buy pre-made.
- Starting with quality ingredients is going to offer the best flavor to the sugar cookie bars.
- Do not overmix the cookie batter once you mix in the dry ingredients as this can make the bars heavy. Mix to incorporate then pour into pan and bake.
- Lining your pan with parchment paper will allow you to easily remove the sugar bars easily from the pan.
- Once the top is golden brown and cooked through, remove and allow the bars to dry. Otherwise, it will dry out the cookie bars.
- Fully allow the sugar cookie bars to cool before you go and frost. Otherwise, the frosting will melt into the bars.
Storing Bars
Room Temperature
These bars can be stored at room temperature on the counter in a sealed container. They will last 3-4 days, but you will find with each day the cookies dry out a bit more.
Freezer
Feel free to slice and freeze any of the cookie bars you do not plan to eat right away. Just place in a freezer riendly container for up to 2-3 months. Then thaw on the counter or in the fridge overnight.
Independence Day is just around the corner, and nothing screams patriotism quite like indulging in mouthwatering treats that reflect the colors and spirit of the flag. This year, why not try something different and whip up a batch of delightful Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars? These bars are not only easy to make, but their red, white, and blue layers are sure to dazzle both the eyes and taste buds of your guests.
FAQ
Can I make sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Feel free to make these patriotic sugar cookie boars a day ahead of time for when you plan to serve. Just make sure to store in a sealed container at room temperature. You can also freeze them and keep in the freezer till the day of wanting to serve up the bars.
Can I customize the flavor of sugar cookie bars?
Feel free to add in some lemon zest, almond extract, or even warm spices like cinnamon for adding different flavors. Or you can add fruit extracts as well.
Do I have to add on the icing?
Want to serve up the sugar cookie bars without frosting? Go right ahead and skip the step for adding frosting. These are still a festive bar recipe.
Read the recipe below as we share a simple and satisfying recipe that will undoubtedly add a patriotic touch to your Fourth of July celebration.
More Recipes You Will Love!
Soft & Chewy White Chocolate Firework Cookies
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 4 & 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 & 2/3 cup granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup patriotic sprinkles
- For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 & 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- pinch of sea salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 & 1/2 tablespoons whole milk
- Patriotic sprinkles for garnish
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375*F. Line a 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or foil and spray with cooking spray, set it aside. In a large bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, set aside.
- In the body of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment cream the butter with the sugar until light and fluffy, 2 minutes. Scrape down the sides. Add the eggs one at a time, letting the first egg mix all the way in before adding the next. Add the vanilla and mix it in until combined. Add the flour mixture and stir it in until combined, scrape down the sides, and mix it in a few more times until fully mixed in. Add the sprinkles and stir them in.
- Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish until even. Bake for 25-28 minutes until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool compltely.
- While the bars cool, make the frosting by placing the butter into a large bowl with an electric hand mixture and whipping until smooth. Add in the powdered sugar a little at a time until fully mixed. Add the salt, vanilla, and milk, stir it in until combined then place the mixer on medium-high speed and whip for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Once the cookie is cool, take it out of the baking dish and frost the top. Add more sprinkles if desired. Cut into bars and serve.
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