Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Valentine’s Day sugar cookie bars combine a soft, buttery cookie base with a creamy, colorful frosting, perfect for celebrating the season of love. Easy to make and decorated with festive sprinkles, they are a delightful treat to share with friends and family.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 & 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted, softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Valentine’s Day sprinkles
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)
• Purple gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract to the creamed mixture and mix well to combine.
4. Step 4: Stir in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined and the flour mixture disappears. Do not overmix.
5. Step 5: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan and bake for 15 minutes. The center may look slightly underbaked, but it will continue to set as it cools.
6. Step 6: While the cookie bars are baking, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, whip together the softened 4 tablespoons butter and powdered sugar until combined.
7. Step 7: Add the heavy cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the frosting and whip until light and fluffy.
8. Step 8: For a marbled effect, divide the frosting into two bowls. Tint one with pink gel food coloring and the other with purple gel food coloring, if desired.
9. Step 9: Once the cookie bars have cooled slightly, frost with dollops of pink and purple frosting. Add Valentine’s Day sprinkles on top.
10. Step 10: Slice and serve immediately for softer frosting, or chill for a firmer frosting before enjoying.

Tips & Variations

• Use room temperature butter for easier creaming and a smoother dough.
• Swap heavy cream with milk if you prefer a lighter frosting consistency.
• If gel food coloring is not available, natural alternatives like beet juice or blueberry juice can add color.
• Try adding a teaspoon of almond extract to the frosting for a subtle twist.

Storage

Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to a week; bring to room temperature before serving. If chilled, let the bars sit out for about 15 minutes to soften the frosting before enjoying.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter for the cookie bars?

Yes, you can use salted or unsalted butter for the cookie base. If using salted butter, you might want to reduce or omit the added salt in the recipe.

How do I prevent the frosting from melting?

Make sure the cookie bars are completely cooled before frosting. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the bars after frosting to help the frosting set and prevent melting.

Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

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4.6 from 135 reviews

Delight in these festive Valentine’s Day sugar cookie bars, featuring a soft and chewy cookie base topped with creamy, colorful marbled frosting and fun sprinkles. Perfect for celebrating love with a sweet treat, these bars combine classic sugar cookie flavors with a creamy frosting that can be tinted pink and purple for a charming look.

• Author: Maya
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Layer

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 & 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting

• 4 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted, softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp heavy cream
• Valentine’s Day sprinkles
• Pink gel food coloring (optional)
• Purple gel food coloring (optional)

Instructions

1. Prepare Cookie Layer: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil to prevent sticking. This will make removing the bars after baking easy and clean.
2. Cream Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Then add in the egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, mixing well to combine all ingredients thoroughly.
3. Add Dry Ingredients: Gradually mix in the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt just until the flour mixture is barely visible. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookie bars tender.
4. Bake the Cookie Base: Spread the cookie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. Note that the center may still look underbaked upon removing from the oven; this is normal as the bars will continue to cook slightly while cooling.
5. Prepare Frosting: In a clean large bowl, beat the softened 4 tablespoons butter and powdered sugar until combined. Add the heavy cream and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, whipping the mixture until it is light and fluffy.
6. Color Frosting: For a marbled effect, divide the frosting into two bowls. Tint one with pink gel food coloring and the other with purple gel food coloring according to your preference.
7. Frost the Bars: Using spoons or a spatula, dollop alternating colors of frosting over the cooled cookie bars. Use a knife or skewer to swirl the colors lightly if desired. Sprinkle the top with Valentine’s Day sprinkles for a festive finish.
8. Serve: Slice the bars and serve immediately if you prefer soft frosting, or chill them in the fridge for a bit longer to allow the frosting to set and firm up before serving.

Notes

• For easier slicing, chill the bars after frosting so the frosting can firm up.
• Use gel food coloring for vibrant colors without thinning the frosting.
• Ensure the cookie base is completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
• Store leftover bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
• Feel free to customize sprinkles to match other occasions or preferences.

Keywords: Valentine’s Day, sugar cookie bars, sugar cookies, frosting, sprinkles, dessert, holiday treats, baked bars, marbled frosting