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Easy Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

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A quick and easy sugar cookie bar recipe topped with tangy cream cheese frosting and festive red, white, and blue sprinkles, perfect for 4th of July celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (312g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 8 oz (226g) cream cheese, softened
  • ½ cup (113g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1–2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk (optional)
  • Red, white, and blue sprinkles or sanding sugar

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with a mixer.
  3. Add 1 large egg and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat until fully incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan using clean, slightly damp hands.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. The center may seem soft but will firm as it cools.
  8. While the bars bake, prepare the cream cheese frosting: Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese with ½ cup softened butter until smooth and creamy, about 2-3 minutes.
  9. Gradually add 3 cups sifted powdered sugar, mixing on low speed to avoid a sugar cloud. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. If frosting is too thick, add 1-2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk until spreadable.
  10. Cool the sugar cookie bars completely on a cooling rack.
  11. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
  12. Sprinkle red, white, and blue decorations on top, pressing gently into the frosting.
  13. Chill the bars for at least 30 minutes before slicing to help the frosting set and make cutting easier.

Notes

Use room temperature butter, cream cheese, and eggs for best mixing results. Do not overmix the dough to keep bars soft. Chill bars before frosting to prevent melting. Warm spatula slightly if frosting is stiff for easier spreading. For gluten-free, substitute flour with gluten-free blend. For dairy-free frosting, use coconut cream and dairy-free cream cheese alternatives.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/easy-patriotic-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe-with-cream-cheese-frosting-for-4th-of-july-celebration/