If you are looking for a yummy dessert for your next 4th of July or Memorial day get-together, these Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars need to make that list! They are simple to make, delicious, and perfectly red, white, and blue.
How about a patriotic charcuterie board to go along with these cookies? It is really simple to put together and makes the best snacking tray.
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What Makes These Sugar Cookie Bars So Good?
Several things make these sugar cookie bars so good. They are a much easier version than the classic sugar cookie and are made by simply pressing the batter into an 8x8 or 9x9 pan, baking, and spreading the frosting on top.
These sugar cookie bars are perfectly tender, and when paired with the creamy buttercream frosting it is heavenly. They are also good to make ahead of time and can be stored for a couple of days.
If you love sugar cookie bars, you really need to check my Strawberry Sugar Cookie Bars recipe- it is amazing as well.
Ingredients
- Softened butter- It is really important to bring the butter to room temperature before using it.
- Granulated sugar- You could also use brown sugar in the cookie dough, the flavor is delicious. However, I don't use it as changes the color slightly.
- Egg- I also like to bring this to room temperature as it mixes better with the other ingredients when it is.
- Vanilla- I buy pure vanilla from Costco for all my baking. You can use vanilla extract in the cookies, but it is better to use pure vanilla in the icing.
- All-purpose flour- Unbleached is what I use.
- Whole wheat pastry flour- I always like to use a blend of all-purpose and whole wheat in my baking. Whole wheat for the health benefits, and the all-purpose to maintain the texture you are looking for.
- Salt- Kosher salt is my brand of choice. You will use less than a teaspoon, but it is still really important to add it in.
- Powdered sugar- For the icing.
- Milk- You really can use any milk you like. I have used cow's milk and plant-based and both have worked well.
- Patriotic Sprinkles- There are so many options out there for sprinkles now.
How To Make
- Start by creaming your butter and sugar together. This is not the type of recipe where you want to mix them until they are very light and fluffy. Here all you need to do is mix for about a minute.
- Add in the egg and vanilla, and mix only to combine.
- Next, add the flour and salt. Again, mix to combine.
- Pour your batter into a baking pan. You only need to bake these bars for about 18 minutes. Don't overbake them or they will dry out.
- Allow the bars to cool slightly, remove them from the pan, and let them continue to cool on a cooling rack.
- Make your icing and spread it on top of the bars. Sprinkle generously with the patriotic sprinkles, cut the bars, and enjoy!
Notes For The Epic Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
- Do not overmix. It is really important to not overmix them or you will have really tough cookies. I recommend mixing only to combine.
- I used whole wheat flour in this, whole wheat pastry flour. Whole wheat pastry flour is a lower protein flour, and so it makes a much more tender texture when baking with it.
- I like to bake my cookies in a metal pan. I prefer the way these pans bake as opposed to glass pans. In my opinion, the heat distributes more evenly.
- These cookies have a short baking time, and the worst thing you can do for these cookies is to overbake them as it will dry them out. They only take between 15-18 minutes, so just be careful!
FAQ
These are best stored in the refrigerator in an airtight container or covered in saran wrap. They will hold well for up to 7 days.
Yes, you can, these bars are absolutely delicious on their own. We love the frosting in our family, but that's a personal preference.
No, you do not. This recipe works just as it is with 100 percent all-purpose flour if you prefer.
Yes, you can, but I would reduce the baking time to 14-15 minutes. You will want to underbake them just slightly.
Yes! There are a lot of red and blue fruits that you can top these cookie bars with. Strawberries, cherries, red apples, blueberries, plums, and grapes, are all great options.
Epic Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup softened butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup whole wheat pastry flour you can use any other type of whole wheat, but I prefer the whole wheat pastry. If you don't want to do wheat, switch to all white flour.
- dash salt
Buttercream
- 6 ounces softened butter
- 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- milk to consistency
- patriotic sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
- Line a 9×9 baking pan with parchment and set aside.
- In a small bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, whole wheat pastry flour, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and granulated sugar for the cookie bars together. This should only take a minute.
- Add in your egg and vanilla. Mix to combine. Add in your flour mixture and again, mix to combine.
- Put it into your parchment-lined pan and press to even out.
- Place in the oven and bake for about 17 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and allow it to cool for 5 minutes.
- Then, using the parchment paper, remove from the pan and set on a cooling rack. Cool them for another 25-30 minutes.
- While they are cooling, mix your icing
- Add your powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter to a bowl. Add in 2 tablespoons of milk to start
- Mix well, than add in more milk if needed. I like my icing on the thick side, so it was good for me.
- Spread over your cooled bars, then sprinkle generously with your patriotic sprinkles.
- These are delicious served right away. They also hold really well for several days in the fridge too. They don't last long here, but have been good for up to 3 days.
- They are best in an airtight container or wrapped with saran wrap.
- Now, sit back and enjoy. You deserve it!
Notes
- Do not overmix. It is really important to not overmix them or you will have really tough cookies. I recommend mixing only to combine.
- I used whole wheat flour in this, but I highly recommend that you use whole wheat pastry flour. Whole wheat pastry flour is a lower protein flour, and so it makes a much more tender texture when baking with it.
- I like to bake my cookies in a metal pan. I prefer the way these pans bake as opposed to glass pans. In my opinion, the heat distributes more evenly.
- These cookies have a short baking time, and the worst thing you can do for these cookies is to overbake them. They only take between 15-18 minutes, so just be careful!