These patriotic sugar cookie bars are a delicious and easy recipe to make Memorial Day, Labor Day, and even any of your 4th of July celebrations. They are made with a buttery vanilla sugar cookie base and topped with a creamy buttercream frosting and red white and blue sprinkles.
Since you are here make sure to check out these other patriotic dessert ideas, like these patriotic chocolate dipped Oreos, these Patriotic m&m’s blondies, and this berries and cream cookie recipe.
This is the best patriotic cookie bars recipe!
All the summer Patriotic holidays are a good reason to try out hand at these easy cookie bars. They are made with an insanely buttery base and topped with delicious vanilla buttercream.
As if that wasn’t enough, the entire surface of the frosting is topped with fun red, white, and blue sprinkles to really take it to the next level.
Why you need to make this recipe!
- They are a great way to celebrate holidays such as Independence Day, Memorial Day, and Labor Day.
- This recipe is an easy treat and only requires minimal ingredients.
- You can customize them with different colors and decorations to match the theme of your party.
- They are perfect for serving at fourth of july bbq, picnics, and other outdoor events.
- These bars are a crowd-pleaser that both kids and adults will love.
- They can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge or freezer, making them a convenient dessert option.
- The perfect alternative to traditional sugar cookies, with a soft and chewy texture.
Ingredients for this patriotic easy sugar cookie bar recipe.
Here are the ingredients you will need to make these 4th of July cookie bars. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed ingredient measurements.
- Butter– Make sure to use room temperature butter, salted or unsalted both work
- Granulated sugar and brown sugar- The mixture of sugars will make your cookie bars extra soft.
- Egg– Make sure that the egg is at room temperature.
- Vanilla extract & almond extract– These are some of my favorite sugar cookie bar flavorings but feel free to add some peppermint instead of the almond extract.
- Flour- All purpose flour works great for this recipe.
- Corn starch- The corn starch will make these bars extra tender.
- Baking powder- This is out leavening agent.
- Salt– Always add a little salt to your baked goods.
- Powdered sugar– This is to sweeten our frosting.
- Heavy cream- Make sure to use extra cold heavy cream to create a light and fluffy frosting.
- Festive sprinkles- Pick your favorites and decorate as you please!
How to make patriotic sugar cookies
This is how you can make the best sugar cookie bars. Make sure to scroll down to the recipe card for the full detailed instructions!
- Cream the butter and both sugars together in a mixing bowl until creamy.
- Add in the egg and the vanilla extract and mix to combine.
- Fold in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt until soft dough forms
- spread into the prepared pan, and bake in the preheated oven.
- Don’t worry if your bars look underdone, for best results
- Let the cookies cool down before frosting.
MAKE THE BUTTERCREAM
- Cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Whisk vanilla extract and heavy cream until fluffy again.
- Frost the sugar cookie bars with a thick layer of frosting and sprinkle the top with patriotic sprinkles, chill to allow the frosting to set, slice and enjoy around Labor Day, 4th of july & memorial Day!
You can make these cookies with a paddle attachment and a stand mixer, a hand mixer or even by hand! You’ll just have to put in some extra elbow grease to make your frosting extra fluffy!
Frequently asked questions – FAQ
How to store this easy patriotic treat?
You can store these sugar cookie bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days. I like to have them chilled but if you prefer them a little softer, let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes to get the frosting to soften up a bit more.
CAN I FREEZE patriotic SUGAR COOKIE BARS?
These soft frosted sugar cookie bars freeze so well even after being frosting. I like to flash freeze mine on a baking sheet or a flat surface before transferring them to an airtight container and freezing for later. Just make sure that you are placing wax paper or parchment paper between each layer of cookie bars to keep the frosting and decorations intact.
patriotic sugar cookie bar recipe
Patriotic sugar cookie bars
Ingredients
Cookie base
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract optional
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 tablespoon butter salted or unsalted, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla exract
- 3 tablespoon heavy cream
- Patriotic sprinkles
Instructions
Cookie layer
- Preheat the oven to 350F then line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or foil. Set side.
- In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add in the egg, almond extract (if using), and the vanilla extract, and mix to combine.½ cup butter, ½ cup granulated sugar, 2 tablespoon brown sugar, 1 large egg, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- Mix in the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch just until the flour mixture barely disappears. Spread the batter into the prepared baking pan and bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. The center will still look raw but don't worry these bars will continue baking as they cool down.½ teaspoon baking powder, 1 cup all purpose flour, 3 tablespoon cornstarch, ¼ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- In a large bowl, whip the softened butter, and powdered sugar together until combined. Add in the heavy cream and vanilla and whip until light and fluffy.4 tablespoon butter, 1 teaspoon vanilla exract, 3 tablespoon heavy cream, 1 cup powdered sugar
- Frost the sugar cookie bars with that then top with sprinkles. slice and serve if you prefer your frosting on the softer side or chill them a bit to allow the frosting to set before enjoying.Patriotic sprinkles
Nutrition
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Chahinez
😬
Kottie
Can I just tell you how much I appreciated that you brought the listed ingredients down into the instructions?!? I hate having to scroll
up and down over and over!! That’s was the best!!!
Chahinez
I’m glad you liked it!
Melissa Klein
Just made these with my daughter last night – they turned out great. Thanks!
Chahinez
You’re welcome!
Jaylen
These are super easy to make and they are soo good! They taste better than what I thought were the best sugar cookies (the ones all over stores). Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Chahinez
You’re welcome!
Mikela Highlander
Made these for memorial day and they were a hit! I even added some sprinkles to the dough and they turned out so cute!
Chahinez
That’s awesome!
Dallas
you mention almond extract, but I don’t see where it goes. please help
Chahinez
Goes with the vanilla extract but feel free to omit it if you don’t want almond extract in your bars!
Lydia
These look great! I’m going to make them this weekend. I’m sure you get this question a lot, but if I double the recipe, could I bake it in a 9×13 inch pan? Thanks!
Chahinez
Yes you sure can!!
Someone also asked me on Instagram if they could use store bought frosting to save time and yes you can do that as well to save some time!