Creating the perfect Valentine’s Sugar Cookie Bars is all about combining fresh ingredients with simple techniques. You’ll end up with a delightfully chewy and rich dessert that feels just right for the occasion. Imagine cutting into these bars and finding a tender interior that melts in your mouth! Filled with festive colors from sprinkles, they’re perfect for sharing. Whether it’s a cozy night in or a gathering with friends and family, these treats are sure to sweeten up your Valentine’s Day celebration. Let’s get started on this fun baking adventure!
Why This Recipe Works
Creating the perfect Valentine’s Sugar Cookie Bars blends fresh ingredients with simple techniques to produce a delightfully chewy and rich dessert. The combination of butter and sugar takes center stage, ensuring that each bite delivers the soft texture that cookie lovers crave. By mixing in creamy frosting and festive sprinkles, these bars not only look fantastic but are genuinely enjoyable to eat. Trust this recipe to win hearts, making it easy to impress your loved ones!
Why You’ll Love This Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars
These Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars stand out not just in taste but also in visual appeal. Adorned with cheerful sprinkles, they beckon you to take a bite. Once you do, the soft, buttery texture will literally melt in your mouth, making it impossible to eat just one. They’re simple enough to bake at home yet elegant enough to bring to parties. Sharing these sweet bars with loved ones will elevate your Valentine’s Day celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 containers Wilton springtime pearlized jimmies
- 1 bag Wilton pink heart sprinkles
- 2 cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 3-5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Pink gel food coloring
- Small angled spatula
Cookie Directions
Preheat and Prepare
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Meanwhile, line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper. This makes for easy removal once the bars are baked and cooled.
Cream the Butter and Sugar
In a standing mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar together. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is key for achieving a tender texture, so don’t rush it! The air you incorporate here is vital.
Add Eggs and Vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs one at a time. After that, add the pure vanilla extract and blend until everything is combined smoothly.
Combine Dry Ingredients
In another mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, kosher salt, and baking soda. Make sure these dry ingredients are evenly distributed. Consistency in mixing matters for the best results.
Mix Dry with Wet
Gradually add the dry mixture to your wet ingredients. Mix until everything is just combined. It’s essential to avoid over-mixing here, as this keeps your cookie bars soft and chewy.
Fold in Sprinkles
Now, gently fold in one container of the Wilton jimmies. This will add a burst of color and fun texture to your dough, making it festive.
Bake
Scoop the dough into the prepared baking dish. Flatten it lightly with your hands to ensure an even surface. Bake in your preheated oven for about 20-30 minutes, or until the top becomes lightly golden brown. Once done, take them out and let them cool completely in the dish.
Frosting Directions
Beat the Frosting Mixture
Using the same standing mixer you used for the cookies, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy whipping cream together. Mix on medium speed. You’re looking for a smooth consistency with stiff peaks, which is essential for a thick frosting.
Add Color
Next, add a few drops of pink gel food coloring. Stir until you reach your desired shade, giving your frosting that festive flair perfect for Valentine’s Day.
Frost the Cookie Bars
Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, use the small angled spatula to frost the top generously. Don’t forget to finish it off by sprinkling the remaining Wilton pink heart sprinkles and jimmies for that extra touch of Valentine’s charm!
Tips for Success
- Ensure your butter is softened to room temperature. This helps with proper creaming.
- Avoid overmixing the dough once you add the flour; this keeps the bars tender and delicious.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before you frost. Otherwise, the frosting may melt, and we don’t want that!
Variations
Feel free to get creative! You can swap out the pink sprinkles for red or white to give a different Valentine’s theme. How about adding chocolate chips or nuts for something extra exciting? You could even experiment with different extracts like almond for a unique twist on that classic vanilla flavor.
Serving Suggestions
These delicious bars are perfect for any occasion. Whether it’s for classroom parties or family gatherings, they fit right in. Pair them with a tall glass of cold milk or fresh strawberries for a lovely touch. You can also enjoy them with coffee during a cozy afternoon.
Storage Tips
If you have any leftovers (though we doubt it!), store your cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. You can also freeze them for longer storage—just make sure they’re tightly wrapped and sealed.
Pairing Ideas
For a delightful pairing, enjoy these Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars with a rich hot chocolate or a cozy cup of coffee. They make a perfect afternoon treat that warms the heart!
FAQs
1. Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?
Yes! Simply substitute regular flour with a gluten-free blend and check that all other ingredients are gluten-free too.
2. How do I prevent the cookies from spreading?
Chilling the dough for about 30 minutes before baking can help them hold their shape nicely.
3. Can I replace the butter with margarine?
While you can, unsalted butter is recommended for the best flavor and texture.
4. How do I achieve a thicker frosting?
You can add more powdered sugar gradually until your frosting reaches the desired consistency.
5. Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Definitely! You can make them the day before and store them at room temperature.
These Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars are truly a delightful treat that conveys love through both taste and presentation. Perfect for any Valentine’s gathering, they are straightforward to make yet impressive enough to wow your guests. They beautifully embody the spirit of the holiday while leaving room for your creativity in decoration and flavor. Enjoy making these bars, and remember to share the love with those you cherish!
Print
Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars
These Valentines Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful blend of flavors and visual appeal. Soft, buttery, and filled with festive sprinkles, they make any celebration special.
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted sweet cream butter, softened
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 4 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 containers Wilton springtime pearlized jimmies
- 1 bag Wilton pink heart sprinkles
- 2 cups unsalted sweet cream butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 3–5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- Pink gel food coloring
- Small angled spatula
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- Cream softened butter and sugar in a standing mixer until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time and add vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, kosher salt, and baking soda.
- Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet ingredients until just combined.
- Fold in one container of Wilton jimmies.
- Scoop dough into prepared baking dish, flatten, and bake for 20-30 minutes until lightly golden.
- For frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and heavy cream until smooth with stiff peaks.
- Add pink gel food coloring to frosting to desired shade.
- Frost cooled cookie bars and top with remaining sprinkles.
Last Step:
Please leave a rating and comment letting us know how you liked this recipe! This helps our business to thrive and continue providing free, high-quality recipes for you.Notes
Ensure butter is softened to room temperature for best results.
Avoid overmixing the dough after adding flour to keep bars tender.
Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 150
- Fat: 10
- Saturated Fat: 6
- Unsaturated Fat: 3
- Trans Fat: 0
- Carbohydrates: 36
- Fiber: 0
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 35
