Patriotic sugar cookie bars

Patriotic sugar cookie bars topped with red white and blue sprinkles on a white plate

Print Recipe

5 from 27 votes

These red white and blue patriotic sugar cookie bars are delicious and easy to make for your patriotic parties!

Prep Time15

Cook Time15

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: bars

Ingredients

Cookie base

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup granulated sugar
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 large egg
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 tsp almond extract optional
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 cup all purpose flour & 2 tablespoons
2 tbsp cornstarch
1/4 tsp salt

Frosting

4 tbsp butter salted or unsalted, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla exract
3 tbsp heavy cream
Patriotic sprinkles

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

Cookie layer

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a light-colored metal 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on two sides so you can lift the bars out later. (If you only have a glass pan, plan to add 2 to 3 minutes to the bake time, since glass bakes slower and is the most common reason the center turns out underdone.)
In a large bowl, cream the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix to combine.
1/2 cup butter, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 large egg, 2 tsp vanilla extract, 1/4 tsp almond extract
Mix in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt just until the flour disappears. Do not overmix. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan, pushing it all the way into the corners so it bakes evenly.
1/2 tsp baking powder, 1 cup all purpose flour & 2 tablespoons, 2 tbsp cornstarch, 1/4 tsp salt
Bake for 16 to 18 minutes, until the edges are set and lightly golden and the center looks puffed and matte, not wet or shiny. The very center will still feel soft to the touch, and that is correct. A toothpick in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter. These bars finish setting as they cool, so it is better to pull them slightly early than to overbake.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan, at least 1 hour, before frosting or slicing. This step is not optional. They keep cooking and setting as they cool, so cutting in while they are warm is the number one reason the center seems raw. Once fully cool, the center firms into a soft, chewy bar.

Frosting

In a large bowl, whip the softened butter and powdered sugar together until combined. Add the cold heavy cream and vanilla and whip until light and fluffy.
4 tbsp butter, 1 tsp vanilla exract, 3 tbsp heavy cream, 1 cup powdered sugar
Frost the cooled bars with a thick layer, then top with patriotic sprinkles while the frosting is still soft so they stick. Slice and serve, or chill for 20 to 30 minutes first if you want the cleanest squares and a firmer frosting.
Patriotic sprinkles

Nutrition