Table of Contents
Why Make This Recipe
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect treat for celebrating special occasions like the 4th of July or Memorial Day. These delicious bars are not only easy to make but also fun to decorate. With bright red, white, and blue sprinkles, they add a festive touch to any gathering. Plus, they are easy to cut and serve, making them great for parties!
How to Make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup patriotic sprinkles
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp milk
- Extra red, white, and blue sprinkles for topping
Directions:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 stick of softened salted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in 1 large egg and 1 tsp of vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp of baking powder, and ¼ cup of patriotic sprinkles.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting.
- To make the cream cheese frosting, beat together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 stick of softened salted butter, 3 tbsp of softened cream cheese, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp of milk until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars and top with extra red, white, and blue sprinkles.
- Cut into squares and serve at your 4th of July celebration!
How to Serve Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Serve these cookie bars on a festive platter, showcasing their bright colors. They are great for parties and can be paired with drinks like lemonade or iced tea. These bars are sure to be a hit with both kids and adults!
How to Store Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
To store, place the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh for about 3 to 5 days. If you want to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them, but be sure to bring them to room temperature before serving for the best taste.
Tips to Make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
- Ensure your butter is softened at room temperature for easy creaming.
- If you want a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar until you reach your desired consistency.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of sprinkles based on your preference for decoration!
Variation
You can easily switch up the decorations by using different colored sprinkles or adding fruit on top! For a more decadent treat, consider adding chocolate chips to the cookie dough.
FAQs
Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the cookie bars a day in advance. Just frost them when you’re ready to serve.
Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Yes, you can freeze the un-frosted cookie bars. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer bag. Thaw before frosting.
What if I don’t have cream cheese for the frosting?
You can substitute cream cheese with additional butter or use a store-bought frosting instead.
Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Delicious, festive sugar cookie bars adorned with red, white, and blue sprinkles, perfect for special occasions like the 4th of July.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- ¼ cup patriotic sprinkles
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp milk
- Extra red, white, and blue sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- Cream together 1 stick of softened salted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add in 1 large egg and 1 tsp of vanilla extract, mixing well to combine.
- Whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp of baking powder, and ¼ cup of patriotic sprinkles in another bowl.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
- Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes, or until golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Beat together 2 cups of powdered sugar, 1 stick of softened salted butter, 3 tbsp of softened cream cheese, 1 tsp of vanilla extract, and 2 tbsp of milk until smooth and fluffy to make the frosting.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars and top with extra red, white, and blue sprinkles.
- Cut into squares and serve at your 4th of July celebration!
Notes
For a thicker frosting, add more powdered sugar until desired consistency is reached. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-5 days.