Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars (Printable)

Soft sugar cookie bars topped with creamy strawberry frosting, ideal for sweet celebrations and sharing.

# What You Need:

→ Sugar Cookie Bars

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
04 - 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
05 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
06 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt

→ Strawberry Frosting

08 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
10 - 3 tablespoons freeze-dried strawberries, crushed to powder
11 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk or cream
12 - 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
13 - Pinch of salt
14 - Pink or red sprinkles for decoration, optional

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and mix until combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until incorporated. Do not overmix.
06 - Spread dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
07 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Do not overbake.
08 - Allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
09 - In a medium bowl, beat butter until smooth. Add powdered sugar, freeze-dried strawberry powder, vanilla, and salt; beat until combined.
10 - Add milk or cream 1 tablespoon at a time, until frosting is creamy and spreadable.
11 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookie bars. Decorate with sprinkles if desired.
12 - Cut into 16 squares and serve.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • They're buttery and tender without being fussy or finicky about technique.
  • The freeze-dried strawberry frosting gives you real fruit flavor without any weird artificial aftertaste.
  • They look impressive enough to give as gifts but simple enough to make on a weeknight.
02 -
  • Don't skip sifting the powdered sugar—it's the difference between frosting that feels silky and frosting that feels gritty on your teeth.
  • Freeze-dried strawberries taste completely different from regular dried ones; they give actual strawberry flavor instead of a jam-like sweetness.
03 -
  • If your frosting seems too thick, add milk one teaspoon at a time rather than a full tablespoon—you'll have better control and less risk of overshooting to runny.
  • Room-temperature ingredients (butter, eggs, milk) make a noticeable difference in how smoothly everything combines and how tender the final bars become.
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