4th Of July Sugar Cookie Bars (Print version)

Soft sugar cookie bars with creamy vanilla frosting and festive red, white, and blue sprinkles for Independence Day celebrations.

# What you'll need:

→ Cookie Bars

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
04 - 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 1 large egg
07 - 1 large egg yolk
08 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
09 - 1/4 teaspoon almond extract

→ Vanilla Frosting

10 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
11 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
12 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
14 - Pinch of salt
15 - Red, white, and blue sprinkles

# How to make it:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - Whisk flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl. Set aside.
03 - Beat softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
04 - Mix in egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract until fully incorporated.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
06 - Press dough evenly into prepared baking pan using spatula or fingertips.
07 - Bake for 18-20 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center remains soft.
08 - Let bars cool in pan on wire rack to room temperature.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt, mixing until fluffy and spreadable.
10 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Top with red, white, and blue sprinkles.
11 - Lift bars from pan using parchment overhang. Cut into 16 squares.

# Expert suggestions:

01 -
  • The soft, buttery texture reminds everyone of those grocery store sugar cookies we all loved as kids, but way better
  • You frost the whole pan at once instead of decorating individual cookies, saving precious summer minutes
  • The almond extract is optional but honestly, it's the secret that makes people ask what's different about these
02 -
  • These bars continue baking slightly from residual heat after you pull them out, so removing them when the center looks underdone is actually correct
  • The parchment paper overhang is not optional, it's the difference between neatly lifted bars and a crumbled mess
  • Frosting must be applied to completely cooled bars, or you'll have a patriotic melted situation on your hands
03 -
  • The almond extract is subtle but people will notice something special, so include it if almond allergies aren't a concern
  • Room temperature ingredients mix together better, so take everything out of the fridge about 30 minutes before starting

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