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Turn regular sugar cookies into a fuss-free Easter treat with these delightful bars. You'll get all that sweet vanilla goodness you want without the hassle of rolling and cutting cookies one by one. The soft base topped with colorful frosting and springtime decorations makes this a hit for holiday gatherings.
When I swapped our family's standard decorated cookies for these bars last Easter, my nieces spent almost a whole hour putting different candy and sprinkle patterns on each piece. It quickly became the activity we now look forward to every year!
What You'll Need
- All purpose flour: Builds the foundation while keeping everything soft and tender
- Baking powder: Adds just enough puff without making them too fluffy
- Unsalted butter: Brings richness and the right bite (make sure it's softened)
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create slightly crisp edges
- Vanilla extract: Sets the main flavor tone (grab the real stuff for best taste)
- Almond extract: Gives that unmistakable bakery cookie flavor (a tiny bit goes a long way)
- Heavy cream: Makes your frosting silky smooth for beautiful decorating
- Gel food coloring: Creates bright spring colors without watering down your frosting
- Mini candy eggs: Adds festive pops of color and a nice crunch against the soft bars
How To Make Them
- Get everything ready:
- Turn your oven on to 350°F and put parchment in your 9x13 pan, letting some hang over the sides so you can lift the bars out later. This saves you tons of cleaning time.
- Combine the dry stuff:
- Grab a bowl and stir the flour, baking powder and salt together until they're well mixed. This helps everything rise evenly when baking.
- Mix the base:
- Beat your soft butter and sugar with a mixer for about 3 minutes until it looks light and fluffy. This puts air in the mix for a nicer texture.
- Add the wet things:
- Mix in the egg, vanilla, and almond extract if you're using it. Don't forget to scrape the bowl so everything gets mixed in properly.
- Bring it all together:
- Slowly add your flour mix to the butter mix on low speed, stopping when it's just combined. Mixing too much will make tough bars instead of tender ones.
- Get the right texture:
- Add milk a tablespoon at a time until your dough comes together nicely. It should feel soft but not stick to your fingers. If you want, gently stir in some sprinkles.
- Into the oven:
- Spread the dough evenly in your pan. Use slightly wet hands or a measuring cup bottom to smooth it out. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges turn golden but the middle still looks a bit soft.
- Let them rest:
- The bars need to cool fully for at least an hour. If you try to frost them while they're warm, you'll end up with a drippy mess.
- Whip up the frosting:
- Beat the butter for 2 minutes until it's smooth, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla and cream until fluffy. Split it into bowls if you want different colors, adding tiny drops of gel coloring until you get pretty pastel shades.
- Add the fun stuff:
- Spread or pipe frosting onto your cooled bars. Right away, add your candy eggs and sprinkles before the frosting hardens. Try arranging three eggs together to look like tiny nests for an extra cute touch.
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I learned something important the first time I made these bars - don't leave them in the oven too long. My grandma always pulled sugar cookies out when they still looked a bit underdone in the middle. This trick keeps them soft and chewy for days, which is exactly how everyone in my family likes them at our Easter brunch.
Planning Ahead
You can make these cookie bars up to 3 days before your Easter party. Keep unfrosted bars covered at room temperature, or wrap them in plastic then foil and freeze them for up to 3 months. You can make the frosting a day ahead and keep it in the fridge. Just let it warm up and beat it again before using. After frosting, store the bars in a sealed container in the fridge, but bring them to room temperature before serving so they taste their best.
Changing It Up
You can switch these bars to fit any holiday just by changing your colors and toppings. Try red and green frosting with Christmas sprinkles, pink with heart candies for Valentine's Day, or orange and black with candy corn for Halloween. You can also play with flavors by using different extracts like lemon, peppermint or coconut. The bars taste great with add-ins too – try white chocolate chips, dried cranberries or finely chopped nuts mixed into the dough.
Ways To Serve
Show off these Easter cookie bars on a springtime plate with some fresh edible flowers for a beautiful dessert table. They go great with fresh fruit salad and coffee at brunch. You can also pack them in clear bags tied with pastel ribbons for cute gifts. Want to really wow your guests? Set up a dessert board with these bars alongside chocolate-dipped strawberries, fruit chunks and colorful macarons for an Easter spread everyone will talk about.
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These sugar cookie bars will brighten any gathering and make your baking experience easy and enjoyable!
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I prepare these bars in advance?
Absolutely! Bake them 2-3 days early and keep in a sealed container. They'll stay fresh at room temperature for a day or keep them chilled for longer. Let them come to room temp before eating for the best texture.
- → Are these freezer-friendly?
Yes, these bars freeze beautifully for up to 3 months. Store frost-free or frosted in an airtight container, layering parchment paper if stacking. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight before serving.
- → What works instead of almond extract?
No almond extract? Just leave it out or swap it for extra vanilla. Want something different? Lemon extract adds zest, or try coconut extract for a tropical taste.
- → How will I know they’re done baking?
You'll know they're ready when the edges are golden and the middle looks set but soft. Slide a toothpick into the center—if it comes out with just crumbs, not batter, you’re good to go! Remember, they finish setting as they cool.
- → Can I switch up the decorations?
Of course! Go beyond candy eggs and sprinkles. Use chocolate chips, crushed cookies, nuts, or holiday-themed candies to match any event or season.
- → How do I slice them neatly?
For tidy cuts, chill the bars for half an hour after frosting. Use a heated, sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for perfect edges. A plastic knife also works surprisingly well!