Soft, chewy sugar cookie bars with Halloween-themed frosting and sprinkles. A delightful and eye-catching treat for any Halloween gathering or party.
If you’re looking for fun, simple-to-make Halloween treats—these frosted sugar cookie bars are perfect. They’re a convenient alternative to traditional cut-out sugar cookies. Perfect for busy parents and anyone who needs a time-saving way to make this classic holiday cookie (no rolling and cutting out required!).
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Here’s What You’ll Need
Gather these ingredients and supplies to make these cookie bars.
Ingredients
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need for each layer.
Sugar Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
Butter: use salted butter. If you only have unsalted, add a pinch of salt to the dough.
Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Butter: salted butter, softened to prevent clumps in the frosting.
Cream: use heavy cream of half and half. You can also use milk if needed.
Food coloring: use orange (mix red and yellow if you don’t have orange) or any color you’d like.
Supplies & Favorite Tools for Sugar Cookie Bars
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer/bowl
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Angled spatula
How to Make Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Follow these easy steps to make delicious sugar cookie bars.
Step 1 | Preheat oven to 350°F
Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Step 2 | Prepare the pan
Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray and then line it with parchment paper. Set it aside.
Tip: we use baking spray to help keep the parchment in place. We also cut the corners of the parchment, which will help it fit better in the pan.
Step 3 | Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
Step 4 | Add the Egg and Vanilla
Add the vanilla and egg to the butter mixture. Mix until smooth.
Step 5 | Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
Step 6 | Press into Pan
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Tip: drop by spoonfuls into the pan and use your hands to spread it out. Then smooth with a spatula, if needed.
Step 7 | Bake for 14 to 16 minutes
Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let it cool completely.
Step 8 | Prepare the Frosting
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream until the frosting forms peaks.
Step 9 | Add Food Coloring
To create a Halloween look, add drops of orange food coloring (or red and yellow) to the frosting and mix until it’s the desired shade.
Step 10 | Frost and Decorate
Spread the orange frosting over the cooled sugar cookie bars. Don’t forget to add some fun Halloween sprinkles for an extra touch of spookiness.
Step 11 | Cut and Serve
Once the frosting has set, cut the bars into squares, and they are ready to serve!
Tip: to cut even pieces, use a ruler (or measuring tape) to measure the width and length of the cooked bars. Divide the width in inches by 4 and the length by 6. Measure and mark your cut lines on all sides. Use a knife (we like to run under hot water to make clean frosting lines) and line up the cut marks side to side and slice through. Wiping off your knife each time.
These cookie bars are perfect for Halloween parties, school events, or as a tasty treat for home. Share with friends, family, or co-workers to spread Halloween cheer.
More About This Recipe – Notes from Kelsey
These Halloween sugar cookie bars are a great choice when you’re looking to share some Halloween spirit at parties and potlucks or surprise your kids with a tasty treat in their lunchbox. We love the eye-catching orange frosting and Halloween-themed sprinkles.
Before you dive into baking these, here are some important notes to keep in mind about this delicious recipe:
- The cookie layer is soft, chewy, and delicious.
- If you love frosting, you can double up the frosting recipe for a super thick layer.
- The recipe is made in a 9×13 baking pan, and we suggest cutting the bars into 24 pieces.
Tips for Making Sugar Cookie Bars
- Soften butter: Make sure to soften the butter ahead of time for a smoother creaming process. If you forget to take the butter out beforehand, use the defrost setting to soften it using small increments to avoid melting it.
- Even mixing: Mix the ingredients thoroughly to achieve a consistent cookie dough. Carefully measure the ingredients—especially the flour—so you don’t get a dry cookie layer.
- Frosting & sprinkles fun: Get creative with the frosting by adding drops of orange food coloring (or purple, black, or whatever color you prefer). Sprinkle with your favorite sprinkles like jimmies and candy eyeballs.
Storage and Freezing
To keep your cookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container. They should keep for a few days. If you want to save some for later, you can freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
PrintHalloween Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft, chewy sugar cookie bars with Halloween-themed frosting and sprinkles. The perfect treat for Halloween parties.
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Layer
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
Frosting
- 1/2 cup salted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 tbsp heavy cream
- Orange food coloring (optional)
- Sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set it aside.
- In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar.
- Add the vanilla and egg to the butter mixture. Mix until smooth.
- Add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 14-16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let it cool completely.
- In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream until peaks form.
- Add drops of food coloring to the frosting and mix until it’s the desired shade.
- Spread the orange frosting over the cooled sugar cookie bars.
- Don’t forget to add Halloween sprinkles.
- Once the frosting has set, cut the bars into squares and serve right away or store them.
Notes
- Make sure to soften the butter ahead of time for a smoother creaming process.
- Mix the ingredients thoroughly to achieve a consistent cookie dough.
- Carefully measure the ingredients—especially the flour—so you don’t get a dry cookie layer.
- Instead of cream, you can use half-and-half or milk, if needed.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 225
- Sugar: 18.8 g
- Sodium: 95.9 mg
- Fat: 12.3 g
- Saturated Fat: 7.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28.6 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 39 mg
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about sugar cookie bars.
How long do these cookie bars last?
These bars can stay fresh for a few days if stored in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze them for up to three months.
Can I customize the frosting color?
Absolutely! You can experiment with different food coloring shades to match any occasion or theme.
Can I make these sugar cookie bars in advance for a Halloween party?
Yes, making these cookie bars ahead of time is a great idea. Store them in an airtight container at room temperature (or in the freezer).
Final Thoughts
Halloween sugar cookie bars offer a convenient way to celebrate the spookiest season without the time-consuming effort of traditional cut-out sugar cookies. The vibrant orange frosting and fun sprinkles make these bars a hit with kids and adults. Enjoy them at your next Halloween gathering, or surprise your family with a quick and tasty homemade treat.
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Have You Tried This Recipe? Please rate it in the comments and let us know your thoughts!
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