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Easy Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe with Perfect Buttercream Frosting

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These easy patriotic sugar cookie bars feature a soft buttery cookie base topped with smooth buttercream frosting and festive red, white, and blue sprinkles. Perfect for summer celebrations, they are quick to make and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 ½ cups (300 g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Patriotic sprinkles (red, white, and blue) for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
  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 until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes.
  4. Beat in eggs one at a time, then stir in vanilla extract until combined.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed just until combined.
  6. Transfer dough evenly into prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool bars completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
  9. For the frosting, beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, mixing on low.
  10. Add heavy cream or milk, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on medium-high until fluffy and smooth.
  11. Spread buttercream evenly over cooled bars and sprinkle with patriotic sprinkles.
  12. Chill bars for 15-20 minutes to set frosting slightly, then cut into 12-16 squares and serve at room temperature.

Notes

Use room temperature butter and eggs for best texture. Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting. For clean slices, warm knife under hot water and dry between cuts. Gluten-free and dairy-free substitutions are possible with appropriate ingredient swaps.

Nutrition

Keywords: patriotic sugar cookie bars, buttercream frosting, Fourth of July dessert, easy sugar cookie bars, summer dessert, festive dessert

Find it online: https://evabakery.com/easy-patriotic-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe-with-perfect-buttercream-frosting/