Why Make This Recipe
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect dessert to celebrate the 4th of July! These sweet and colorful bars are easy to make, fun to decorate, and taste delicious. They are great for family gatherings, picnics, or any summer celebration. Plus, the festive red, white, and blue colors make them a showstopper on your dessert table!
How to Make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup patriotic sprinkles (use jimmies to prevent color bleeding)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
- 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp milk
- Extra red, white and blue sprinkles for topping
Directions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the patriotic sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges. Cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat together powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and top with more patriotic sprinkles.
- Slice into squares and serve!
How to Serve Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
These cookie bars taste great on their own or can be served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. Cut them into small squares for easy serving at gatherings. You can also present them on a festive platter for extra flair!
How to Store Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Store any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to four days. If you want to keep them longer, you can store them in the fridge for about a week. Just allow them to come to room temperature before serving.
Tips to Make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
- Make sure your butter is softened for easy creaming with the sugar.
- Don’t skip the cooling step before frosting to avoid melting the frosting.
- Using jimmies for sprinkles will help keep the colors bright and prevent bleeding.
Variation
You can change the colors for different holidays! Use orange and black sprinkles for Halloween or pastels for Easter. The base cookie and frosting remain delicious no matter the color theme!
FAQs
Can I use unsalted butter for this recipe?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter, but you might want to add a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Absolutely! Allow the bars to cool completely, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They can be frozen for up to three months.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You can omit the cream cheese and use extra butter or a store-bought frosting instead.
Enjoy baking these festive and tasty Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars for your next celebration!
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder.
- Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until combined.
- Gently fold in the patriotic sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared pan.
- Bake for 20–22 minutes, or until lightly golden at the edges.
- Cool completely.
- To make the frosting, beat together powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until smooth and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and top with more patriotic sprinkles.
- Slice into squares and serve!