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Easy Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe with Festive Frosting

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These Easy Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars feature a soft vanilla sugar cookie base topped with creamy cream cheese frosting and festive red, white, and blue sprinkles. Perfect for summer gatherings and patriotic celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened (room temperature)
  • 1 ¼ cups (250g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat)
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons whole milk (or any milk of choice)
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles for decoration (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
  3. In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until combined.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using hands or a spatula.
  7. Bake for 20-23 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and center is set but still soft. A toothpick inserted should come out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool bars completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  9. In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese and softened butter until smooth and creamy.
  10. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low speed first, then medium speed until fluffy.
  11. Beat in vanilla extract. Add milk one tablespoon at a time until desired spreadable consistency is reached.
  12. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Decorate with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
  13. Chill frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before slicing into squares. Use a sharp knife, wiping clean between cuts.

Notes

Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Do not overmix the dough to keep bars tender. Chill bars after frosting for cleaner slicing. For gluten-free, substitute flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. For dairy-free, use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives and plant-based milk.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic sugar cookie bars, sugar cookie bars, festive frosting, 4th of July dessert, easy sugar cookie bars, cream cheese frosting, summer dessert

Find it online: https://lenatable.com/easy-patriotic-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe-with-festive-frosting-tutorial/