Soft Sugar Cookie Bars with Pink Frosting are a delightful and nostalgic treat—thick, buttery, and tender with a melt-in-your-mouth texture. Topped with smooth, pastel-pink frosting and colorful sprinkles, these bars bring a festive charm to birthdays, holidays, or any day that calls for something sweet and cheerful.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These cookie bars capture all the goodness of traditional sugar cookies but with half the effort—no rolling, chilling, or cutting required. The base is rich and soft, lightly sweetened and infused with vanilla. The whipped pink frosting adds a dreamy finish, and the sprinkles provide just the right touch of celebration. Perfect for kids, parties, or gifting, they are as easy to make as they are to enjoy.
Ingredients
(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the bars:
all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter, softened
granulated sugar
egg
sour cream
vanilla extract
For the frosting:
unsalted butter, softened
powdered sugar
heavy cream or milk
vanilla extract
pink food coloring
sprinkles (optional)
Directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, sour cream, and vanilla extract, and beat until smooth.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until fully combined, forming a soft dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are just barely golden. The center should remain pale and soft. Do not overbake.
- Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat the softened butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, cream or milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring. Beat until light and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.
- Chill for 10 minutes to set the frosting before slicing into squares.
Servings and timing
Servings: 18 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories: Approximately 290 kcal per bar
Variations
- Flavored Frosting: Add a drop of almond or lemon extract to the frosting for a flavor twist.
- Color Theme: Change the frosting color and sprinkles to match any celebration—green for St. Patrick’s, red and blue for patriotic holidays, or pastels for spring.
- Chocolate Chip Version: Fold mini white or milk chocolate chips into the dough before baking.
- Funfetti Style: Stir rainbow sprinkles directly into the dough for a confetti cookie bar effect.
- Gluten-Free Option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour substitute for a gluten-sensitive adaptation.
storage/reheating
Store frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted bars in a sealed container for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost just before serving. These bars do not require reheating and are best served at room temperature or slightly chilled.
FAQs
Can I double the recipe?
Yes, double the ingredients and bake in a 12×18-inch sheet pan, adjusting bake time by a few minutes as needed.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Absolutely. Bake and frost a day in advance, then store covered in the fridge until ready to serve.
Why is sour cream used in the dough?
Sour cream adds moisture and tenderness, helping to create that soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Can I freeze frosted bars?
It’s best to freeze them unfrosted. Frost after thawing to preserve the texture and appearance of the frosting.
What can I use instead of food coloring?
Beet juice or a small amount of mashed raspberries can naturally tint the frosting pink.
How do I get clean slices?
Chill the bars slightly, then use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts for neat, square pieces.
Can I make this recipe without a mixer?
Yes, but creaming the butter and sugar by hand will take more effort. A hand mixer is helpful for a smooth frosting.
What if I don’t have sour cream?
Plain full-fat Greek yogurt is a suitable substitute for sour cream in this recipe.
Do I have to use sprinkles?
No, the frosting alone is lovely, but sprinkles add a festive and colorful finish.
Can I bake these in a metal or glass pan?
Both work, but metal tends to bake more evenly. If using glass, you may need to add a couple of minutes to the bake time.
Conclusion
Soft Sugar Cookie Bars with Pink Frosting are a cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that’s both easy to prepare and endlessly customizable. Whether you’re celebrating a holiday, a birthday, or simply want a beautiful treat to brighten the day, these bars deliver classic cookie flavor with a modern, festive twist.
PrintSoft Sugar Cookie Bars with Pink Frosting
These thick, buttery sugar cookie bars are soft-baked to perfection, topped with a smooth, pastel-pink frosting and finished with festive sprinkles—perfect for birthdays, Valentine’s, or any sweet celebration.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 18 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon sour cream
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon heavy cream or milk
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
- A few drops pink food coloring
- Pink, red, or white sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in egg, sour cream, and vanilla until smooth.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until combined into a soft dough.
- Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until edges are just lightly golden. Do not overbake. Cool completely.
- For frosting: Beat butter until smooth, then add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, and food coloring. Beat until fluffy and pale pink.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars, decorate with sprinkles, and chill for 10 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Do not overbake—bars should remain soft and pale in color.
- Chill briefly after frosting for easier slicing and cleaner presentation.
- Use gel food coloring for vibrant color without thinning the frosting.
- These bars are freezer-friendly (without sprinkles) for make-ahead treats.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg