Easy Festive Star-Spangled Sugar Cookie Bars
These sugar cookie bars are a quick and easy holiday treat featuring a soft, buttery texture and festive red, white, and blue sprinkles. Perfect for patriotic celebrations or any festive occasion.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup (227 grams) unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup (150 grams) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups (250 grams) all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Red, white, and blue star-shaped or round festive sprinkles
- Optional: Food coloring gel
- Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting or glaze
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or line it with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer.
- Add the large egg and pure vanilla extract to the butter mixture and beat until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed or folding gently with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
- Transfer the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan and press flat and smooth with a spatula or lightly floured hands.
- Generously scatter the red, white, and blue sprinkles over the dough and press them lightly into the surface.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still slightly soft.
- Remove from oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes.
- Once cooled, cut into squares or rectangles. Optionally, dust with powdered sugar or add a glaze.
Notes
Use softened butter that is cool to the touch but not melted for best texture. Avoid overmixing after adding flour to prevent tough bars. Press sprinkles gently into dough just before baking to prevent sinking. If dough is too sticky, chill for 10-15 minutes before spreading. Bars are best cooled completely before slicing to avoid crumbling.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: About a 2-inch squar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 14
- Sodium: 90
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Carbohydrates: 25
- Fiber: 0.5
- Protein: 2
Keywords: sugar cookie bars, festive cookies, holiday treats, patriotic dessert, easy baking, star-spangled cookies