Description
Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars topped with a fluffy vanilla bean frosting and festive Halloween decorations. A simple, single-pan alternative to traditional cutout cookies.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- Food coloring (orange, purple, or green)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper.
- Cream together 1 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until pale and fluffy.
- Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Stir in flour, baking powder, and salt until just combined; do not overmix.
- Press dough into the pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until edges are lightly golden.
- Cool the bars completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Beat frosting butter and powdered sugar together, adding heavy cream until fluffy.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars and decorate with food coloring as desired.
- Slice into 16 squares using a sharp knife.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American