Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive Green Sugar Cookie Bars that combine a buttery, soft sugar cookie base with a luscious, green almond-flavored frosting. Perfectly baked to a light golden finish and topped with themed sprinkles, these bars make a delightful treat for parties or any sweet craving.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
For the Frosting:
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- ¼ – ½ tsp almond extract
- 6 tbsp milk (divided: 4 tbsp then 2 tbsp)
- Green food coloring, as needed
- St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and grease a standard rimmed cookie sheet (12×17 inches) to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar, add eggs and vanilla: In a mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Stir in the vanilla extract for flavor.
- Combine dry ingredients and mix: In a separate bowl, whisk together the salt, baking soda, and all-purpose flour. Gradually add this dry mixture to the butter and sugar mixture, mixing until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Spread dough and bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared cookie sheet, smoothing the top. Bake for about 15 minutes or until the bars are lightly golden on the edges. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.
- Prepare frosting base: Beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy. Add 4 tablespoons of milk, almond extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Mix well until evenly colored.
- Add powdered sugar and adjust consistency: Gradually add powdered sugar, about half a cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated. Then add the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk. Adjust the frosting color with more food coloring if needed to achieve vibrant green.
- Frost and decorate: Spread the green almond-flavored frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Immediately sprinkle with St. Patrick’s Day-themed sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Slice and store: Cut into approximately 36 to 40 bars. Store in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Make sure the cookie bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Adjust the green food coloring amount to achieve your desired shade of green.
- You can substitute almond extract with vanilla if almond flavor is not preferred.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- For easier slicing, chill the frosted bars for 30 minutes before cutting.
