Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate party treat that celebrates summer in vibrant style, these Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars are your answer! Each bite is a chewy, buttery delight bursting with sweet vanilla flavor, topped with creamy frosting and a playful confetti of red, white, and blue sprinkles. They’re cheerful, festive, and dangerously easy to whip up—perfect for picnics, BBQs, and any gathering where you want to spread a little joy and a lot of color.

Ingredients You’ll Need

These Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars use classic pantry staples and a handful of special touches. Every ingredient is chosen for the perfect combination of soft cookie base, creamy frosting, and eye-popping color. Let’s break down what you’ll need and why you need it:

• Salted Butter: Adds rich, savory depth to both the cookie and frosting, and a splash of salt rounds out the sweetness.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers classic sugar cookie sweetness and keeps the bars moist and tender.
• Egg: Binds the dough together and contributes to that soft, chewy texture.
• Vanilla Extract: Infuses both the bars and the frosting with warm, comforting flavor.
• All-Purpose Flour: The sturdy backbone of your cookie bars—don’t over-mix for the most tender crumb.
• Baking Powder: Gives the bars a gentle lift, so they’re light and soft rather than dense.
• Patriotic Sprinkles (jimmies): Adds bursts of color throughout the bars—using jimmies helps prevent color bleeding.
• Powdered Sugar: Ensures your frosting is silky smooth and perfectly sweet without any grit.
• Cream Cheese: A touch in the frosting brings creaminess and a slight tang that balances the sweetness.
• Milk: Helps loosen the frosting to that perfectly spreadable texture.
• Extra Red, White, and Blue Sprinkles: The finishing touch for that festive, show-stopping top layer.

How to Make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C) so it’s ready for action. Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal—this makes cleanup a breeze and ensures the bars pop out perfectly intact.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This step is key—whipping air into the butter gives your Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars their irresistible tender bite.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in that egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat until everything is fully combined. The egg helps bind all your ingredients, while the vanilla layers in that classic bakery aroma.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour and baking powder. This prevents pockets of leavening and ensures your bars rise evenly. Gradually add the dry ingredients to your wet mixture, stirring until no flour streaks remain.

Step 5: Gently Fold in Sprinkles

Now the fun part—fold in your patriotic sprinkles! Use jimmies to prevent color from bleeding, and gently work them in to keep the dough rich and smooth, with bursts of color throughout.

Step 6: Spread and Bake

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan. Press it evenly into all corners with your hands or a spatula. Bake for 20–22 minutes, until the edges are just turning golden. Don’t overbake; you want these bars soft in the center! Let them cool completely in the pan.

Step 7: Make the Frosting

While the bars cool, beat together the powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until you have a smooth, creamy, spreadable frosting. The cream cheese gives it a luscious tang and helps it hold up in summer heat.

Step 8: Frost and Decorate

Spread a thick, dreamy layer of frosting over the cooled bars—let your spoon or spatula make swirls for extra flair. Shower the top with extra red, white, and blue sprinkles for maximum festive fun!

Step 9: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using your parchment handles, slice into generous squares, and get ready for rave reviews. These Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars are pure celebration in every bite!

How to Serve Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars

Garnishes

For an extra-special touch, try finishing each square with a dollop of whipped cream or a tiny flag pick. If you want to really shine, sprinkle edible glitter or toss on a mix of star-shaped sprinkles over the frosting for extra sparkle at your gathering.

Side Dishes

Pair your Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars with fresh berries—blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries are perfect. A chilled pitcher of homemade lemonade or a big bowl of vanilla ice cream alongside will turn these bars into the star of your dessert table.

Creative Ways to Present

Cut your bars into smaller bites and skewer them with cocktail sticks for adorable dessert kabobs, layer them with fruit in jars for patriotic parfaits, or box them up as party favors with a ribbon for guests to take home.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Place leftover sugar cookie bars in an airtight container. They’ll stay fresh at room temperature for 2 days, or you can refrigerate them for up to 5 days if your kitchen gets warm. The frosting stays silky and the crumb remains chewy!

Freezing

To freeze, wrap uncut bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer bag or airtight container. They’ll keep beautifully for up to a month. If you’ve already frosted them, freeze first until firm, then wrap and store just the same way.

Reheating

These bars are delicious at room temperature, but if you want to bring back their just-baked softness, microwave an unfrosted square for 6–8 seconds. For frosted bars, let them sit at room temperature to thaw—no reheating needed.

FAQs

Do I have to use salted butter, or can I use unsalted?

You can use unsalted butter if that’s what you’ve got—just add a pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) of salt to the dough and frosting to compensate for the lost depth of flavor salted butter brings.

Can I make Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! Bake and frost the bars up to a day in advance. Store them covered at room temperature or in the fridge until ready to serve. The colors and flavors actually intensify after a rest.

What’s the best way to get clean slices?

Chill the frosted bars for 15–20 minutes in the fridge to firm up the frosting. Use a sharp knife, wiping it clean between cuts, to slice neat, show-stopping squares every time.

Can I use gel food coloring instead of sprinkles?

It’s best to stick with sprinkles (especially jimmies) in the dough, as food coloring can bleed and change the dough’s texture. Reserve gels for tinting the frosting or decoration only.

How do I keep the bars moist after baking?

Don’t overbake, and be sure to store the bars in an airtight container. Covering with plastic wrap also helps lock in moisture so every bite stays tender and delicious.

Final Thoughts

You’re going to love how quick, colorful, and utterly delicious these Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars are. They’re a guaranteed hit for any celebration—so gather your ingredients, spread on that luscious frosting, and watch every square disappear in a flash!

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