These Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting, are the ultimate dessert! With a crisp, golden edge and a soft, chewy center with sprinkles infused throughout, each bar has the perfect texture and the absolute best flavor. Topped with a creamy, fresh strawberry frosting that adds a burst of flavor and beautiful color, these bars are perfect for any holiday, special occasion, or weekend treat.

The Best Frosted Chewy Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe You’ll Ever Make

I’m sure you’ve had sugar cookie bars before, but these are something truly special! It all starts with a classic sugar cookie dough, infused with vanilla and almond extracts to bring out the natural sweetness and add layers of flavor. But the real magic happens when I mix in colorful sprinkles right into the dough—because who doesn’t love a fun pop of color and a little extra sweetness in every bite?

Once baked, these cookie bars have crisp edges and a soft, chewy center, and are topped with a dreamy layer of strawberry buttercream frosting. The star of the frosting is dried strawberries, which not only add a burst of fresh, fruity flavor but also give the frosting a gorgeous, natural pink hue.

To finish, I sprinkle a few more colorful sprinkles on top for that perfect touch of crunch and fun. These frosted sugar cookie bars are the perfect blend of nostalgic comfort and flavors, making them an irresistible treat for any occasion!

More Incredible Bar Recipes

• Banana Bars with Chocolate Chips
• The Best 7-Layer Bars Recipe
• Delicious Pumpkin Bars with Chocolate Chips
• Soft and Chewy Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Smores Bars Recipe (Soft & Gooey)
• The Best Fudge Brownie Recipe

Ingredients for this Sugar Cookies Bar Recipe

Flour: We are using all-purpose flour for the base of the cookie bar dough. However, if you need to make this recipe gluten-free, I recommend using a 1 to 1 all-purpose gluten-free flour. KING ARTHUR and CUP 4 CUP are two great options.

Butter: I recommend using unsalted butter. It adds a rich taste and contributes to the tender crumb of this recipe. 

Granulated Sugar: You can’t have sugar cookies bars without sugar!

Egg: We’re using a large egg to provide structure while keeping the cookie bars moist and chewy. 

Leaveners: Baking soda and baking powder give the cookie bars a little lift, creating the soft, chewy consistency we want while keeping the edges crisp. 

Salt: Trust me. This is a key component in every good cookie recipe and helps balance the sweet flavors.

Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla extract to add depth and a delicious vanilla flavor. 

Almond Extract: This adds a subtle nutty taste for extra depth that balances the sweetness. 

Strawberry Buttercream Frosting

Unsalted Butter:  Use room temperature butter. Adds richness and smoothness to the frosting while allowing for easy blending.

Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness.

Freeze-dried Strawberries: adds the best strawberry flavor and color to these easy sugar cookie bars.

Vanilla Extract: Enhances the frosting with a deep, aromatic vanilla flavor.

Salt: Balances the sweetness of the powdered sugar and elevates the flavors of the cream cheese and vanilla.

How to Make This Easy Frosted Sugar Cookie Bar Recipe

Step 1. In a large bowl, sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then, set the mixture aside.

Step 2. In a second large bowl, add the granulated sugar and butter, and beat with a hand mixer for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the vanilla and almond extracts and egg, and beat on medium until well combined. 

Step 3. Add your “sifted flour mixture” to your bowl of wet ingredients, and mix with a wooden spoon or rubber spatula until well combined. Be careful not to overmix! Then, fold in 1/3 cup of the sprinkles (more if desired).

Step 4. Evenly spread your cookie dough in the prepared baking dish. Then, bake for the cookie bars for 20-25 minutes or until the edges of the cookie bar are set and the top is slightly golden. Let the bars rest until completely set and cooled.

Step 5. Next, make the homemade strawberry buttercream frosting by first crushing the dried strawberries into a powder. You can accomplish this with a food process, but the easiest way is to but the strawberries in a plastic zip-loc bag and roll a rolling pin on the strawberries until completely crushed into powder.

Step 6. Next, in a large bowl, beat together the room temperature butter and powdered sugar until creamed together. Then, add the vanilla, salt, heavy cream, and strawberry powder and beat until thoroughly mixed. Adjust the frosting to your preference by adding additional sugar to thicken or sweeten or additional heavy cream for a thinner frosting.

Step 7. Next, add the prepared frosting to the cookie bar and spread evenly with a spatula. Add additional sprinkles on top.

Step 8. Once cooled, cut and enjoy! Also, add a comment on my blog (scroll down)! It really helps my business. Also, be sure to share your photo on instagram and tag @butterloveandsalt! We would love to see how your cookies come out! 

Tips & Tricks

1. Don’t use nonpareils sprinkles for the cookie batter, as the dye will bleed into the cookie dough.
2. Use room temperature ingredients. Allow your egg and butter to sit out and come to room temperature before you begin. This allows them to mix seamlessly into the dough so you don’t overmix, which can cause dense, tough cookies. 
3. Avoid overmixing the cookie dough, or your soft and chewy sugar cookie bars will turn out dense and tough, which we definitely don’t want!  
4. Avoid overbaking. Every oven is different. So, keep a close eye on your cookies, and remove them as soon as the dough is set and the edges are lightly golden. Remember, they’ll continue to bake a bit as they cool on the pan! 
5. Make sure you review the tips on measuring your flour.
6. Allow your cookie bars to completely cool prior to frosting the bars.
7. To get clean, sharp bars, rinse your sharp knife with warm water after each slice. Be sure to dry your knife before cutting the next slice.
8. For helpful tips and tricks on getting the perfect strawberry buttercream frosting, visit this blog post.

How to Measure Flour for This Sugar Cookies Bars Recipe

1. Use the Correct Measuring Cup: Use a dry measuring cup. These cups typically come in sizes like 1 cup, 1/2 cup, etc.
2. Fluff the Flour: Before measuring, fluff up the flour in the bag or container using a spoon. This helps prevent compacting and ensures a more accurate measurement.
3. Spoon into the Cup: Gently spoon the fluffed-up flour into the measuring cup, allowing it to pile up above the rim.
4. Level Off: Use a flat edge, like the back of a knife, to level off the excess flour from the top of the measuring cup. Do this without tapping or shaking the cup to avoid settling.

More Delicious Sweet Treats

• Soft and Chewy Sugar Cookies
• Soft and Chewy Spice Cookies
• Soft and Chewy Pumpkin Spice Cookies
• Brown Sugar Cookies
• The Best Cinnamon Cookies Recipe 

Frequently Asked Questions

Why are my sugar cookie bars too dry?

If your sugar cookie bars are dry, it’s likely due to overmixing the dough or overbaking them. Be sure to mix the dough just until combined, and check your bars a few minutes before the recipe’s recommended baking time to ensure they don’t overbake.

Can I make this recipe ahead of time?

Yes! Make the dough and place it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours. Or, if you’d rather get the baking out of the way, you can bake the bars, let them cool completely, and then freeze them in an airtight container for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, just thaw and frost!

How to store these frosted sugar cookies bars? 

Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, if you can get them to last that long! 

Can I freeze these easy sugar cookie bars?

 Yes! Sugar cookie bars freeze very well — just don’t frost the bars you intend to freeze. Allow them to cool completely, then cut them into squares and store in an airtight container or freezer bag. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving. 

Can I use another type of frosting?

Yes, you use whatever frosting you want, including this easy cream cheese frosting. I would just half the recipe to ensure you don’t have too much frosting. 

Can I customize this sugar cookie bars recipe? 

Yes! You can omit the strawberry from the buttercream frosting. Alternatively, you can add another freeze-dried fruit to make the buttercream or leave out the fruit altogether and use food coloring to get creative with the coloring. This recipe is good for any holiday. Since the frosting color and sprinkles are customizable, this sugar cookie bar recipe can align with any holiday.

I hope you love this Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Buttercream Frosting! It is amazing no matter the season. It’s soft, chewy, and infused with sweet flavor! If you do give this recipe a try, I want to know! Leave a comment with a star rating below. You can also snap a photo & tag @butterloveandsalt on INSTAGRAM. Your reviews help support Butter, Love & Salt and make it possible for me to continue to create delicious recipes. 

Recipe by: Chavez Adams / Butter, Love & Salt | Photography by: Jess Gaertner