Description
These St. Patrick’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and topped with festive green frosting and sprinkles—an easy, crowd-pleasing treat with no rolling or cutting required.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Green food coloring
- St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy (about 2–3 minutes).
3. Add the eggs, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and beat until combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 18–22 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. The center should still be soft.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat the butter until smooth and fluffy.
10. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with milk, until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
11. Stir in the vanilla extract and a few drops of green food coloring until you get the perfect St. Patrick’s Day shade.
12. Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars and top with festive sprinkles.
13. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
These bars are perfect for parties, potlucks, or classroom treats. You can make them a day ahead—just store them covered at room temperature. For an extra fun twist, try adding green food coloring to the cookie dough as well!