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Perfect Fall Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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These soft, buttery sugar cookie bars are topped with a creamy vanilla buttercream and decorated for Halloween. They come together in about 35 minutes with no rolling or chilling, making them the perfect easy treat for fall parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • Halloween sprinkles
  • Candy eyes (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
  2. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and cream cheese on medium speed for 2-3 minutes until smooth and fluffy. Scrape down the sides.
  3. Gradually add the granulated sugar while beating on medium speed. Continue beating for another 2 minutes until light and airy.
  4. Add the room temperature egg and vanilla extract. Beat on low speed until just combined.
  5. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
  6. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined.
  7. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it into an even layer.
  8. Bake for 22-25 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and center is set but still soft. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  9. For the frosting, beat the softened butter on medium-high speed for 5 minutes until pale and fluffy.
  10. Reduce speed to low and gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
  11. Add the vanilla extract, salt, and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed.
  12. Divide the frosting in half. Color one half with orange gel food coloring.
  13. Spread the orange frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Add dollops of white frosting and swirl with a toothpick if desired.
  14. Add Halloween sprinkles and candy eyes while the frosting is still soft. Let set for 30 minutes before cutting into 24 squares.

Notes

Make sure butter and cream cheese are properly softened for best texture. Do not overbake; pull bars out when edges are just golden and center looks slightly underdone. Sift powdered sugar to avoid lumps in frosting. Bars taste even better the next day. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer storage. Unfrosted bars can be frozen for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween sugar cookie bars, easy sugar cookie bars, fall dessert, Halloween treats, cream cheese sugar cookies

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/perfect-fall-halloween-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/