Sugar Cookie Bars


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Sugar Cookie Bars

These bars were baked on a terrible, awful, no good, very bad baking day.

Some days, my kitchen is humming. Bread dough rises as it should, pie crust comes together without complaining, and frosting practically pipes itself. Those are great days.

Then, there was last Sunday. I ran out of butter without realizing it, my husband couldn’t find the chocolate candy melts at the store, and my heavy cream was suspiciously gloppy, even though it was not at its sell-by date yet. As I watched one baking project tank after another, I wondered why in the heck I do this.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Rather than ponder that very complicated question fully, I decided to try and do some disaster control. Instead of making frosting for the sugar cookie bars with butter I didn’t have, I would melt white chocolate, dye it pink, and spread it on top. I didn’t have chocolate melts, so I added some vegetable oil to chocolate chips and made the melts from scratch. And as for the heavy cream? Well, that one had no out. I had to hightail it to the store.

Sugar Cookie Bars

When the day’s baking was done and the photos safely shot before losing the best of the daylight, I was tired. And proud. Because every single recipe I’d planned for that day had some kind of issue, and all turned out delicious. And as for those cookie bars, covered in white chocolate instead of frosting?

Sugar Cookie Bars

As you can see, they turned out okay in the end! In fact, more than okay. The white chocolate top is gentler than a buttercream frosting, really allowing the cookie underneath to shine.

Sugar Cookie Bars

Plus, they were far more portable without frosting going every which way. These definitely traveled to hungry mouths outside of my house, and I didn’t have to worry about finding a mess when I opened the container. They pack up beautifully.

Sugar Cookie Bars

When I was a kid and miserable all the time because little girls are mean, my mom told me that every problem presents an opportunity. Time and time again, I learn that lesson. Sure, it sucks to have a bad baking day, or any kind of a bad day, for that matter. But boy, do we learn from that. And in the end, we come out stronger. Let’s just hope it’s with sugar cookie bars!

 

Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 and 1/2 cups flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
Topping
1 cup white chocolate chips
red food gel coloring (optional)
sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil, leaving enough to hang over the sides. Coat with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts. Finally, add the dry ingredients and mix until a thick cookie dough forms.
  3. Spread the dough in the prepared pan and bake for 15-20 minutes until the edges are just golden. Do not overbake.
  4. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the white chocolate chips for one minute. Stir until smooth. If needed, heat for an additional 30 seconds to melt.
  5. Working quickly, mix one drop of red food gel coloring into the melted chocolate, stirring until a light pink color emerges consistently.
  6. Spread the melted chocolate in a thin layer over the bars. Add sprinkles.
  7. Allow the chocolate to harden for anywhere between 2-3 hours. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.
https://justaboutbaked.com/sugar-cookie-bars/

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 22 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    I really get discouraged on those fail days, too; however, you made the best of your situation. All you can do is adjust and laugh about it later. I’ve had cookies that were so flat that I had to throw them all away. I was totally embarrassed. The good days outweigh the bad ones, though. You definitely turned butter into cream with this cookie bar recipe. I love the pastel pink frosting. 😀
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Carrot Cake GranolaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Fail days are definitely the worst, but you’re right, Erin. They are totally the exception to the rule!

  2. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    Sugar cookie bars are my favorite! These look so gorgeous, Mir! And so perfect for Easter. I think I could eat just about every one of these, as I love sugar cookies way too much!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Mini Blueberry LoavesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I had no idea sugar cookies were a fave of yours, Gayle! Good to know. 😉

  3. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, these sugar cookie bars are perfect!!! I love the white chocolate topping! and yes, you are right. it’s all about your attitude and finding solutions. . we’ve all been there with the bad baking days. . but yes, you rose above it! woot woot!!! love these! and happy Friday!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Nespresso by KitchenAid Giveaway!!My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Alice! You can either rise above or sink to the floor and start crying. I’ve done both, believe me!

  4. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    These look amazing! You really made the best of kind of an awful day… we’ve all been there, but kudos to you for not just sitting down and accepting defeat! 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…Loaded Mediterranean Nachos with Pignoli Tahini Sauce {Vegan + GF optional!}My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Medha! It was very tempting to give up and take a nap. But it all turned out okay!

  5. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy

    These are perfect for Easter. I have family visiting and I think they would love these, especially the kids.
    Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on How To Order a Healthier Takeaway by DanniiMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I think they would, Dannii! Let me know if you make them!

  6. Jen @ Baked by an Introvert

    These bars turned out beautifully! It’s easy to get discouraged on fail days, I have plenty of them. But remaining positive is the best way to get through them. Have a wonderful weekend, Mir!
    Jen @ Baked by an Introvert recently posted…Funfetti Cheesecake DipMy Profile

    1. Mir

      You too, Jen. Fail days are part of life. And part of poor planning, apparently. I need to get better at that!

  7. Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel

    They really turned out great and the sprinkles are the perfect touch
    Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel recently posted…Raspberry Yogurt ParfaitMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Kelsey! I love the sugar sprinkles. They’re my favorite!

  8. Manali @ CookWithManali

    We all have those days Mir, but I’m glad your end result was so good 🙂 Have a great weekend!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Dulce De Leche FrappuccinoMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Manali! We’ve all been there!

  9. Michelle { A Latte Food }

    I feel you–kitchen disasters are the absolute worst! But these bars turned out great! And, sugar cookies make everything better! 🙂
    Michelle { A Latte Food } recently posted…{Crockpot} Salsa Verde Honey Lime Chicken TacosMy Profile

    1. Mir

      They sure do, Michelle! And it was just one of those days…

  10. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    Those days are the worst, when you have all sorts of plans and all sorts of problems. It’s great that you still managed to make everything work! These sugar cookie bars are amazing Mir! And I love the chocolate topping, I think that would be better than buttercream!
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Marbled Chocolate Grapefruit BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Stacey! I wound up not missing the buttercream at all. Strange how that happens!

  11. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    lol oh my gosh! well after all that, the end result was some seriously dense mouth watering delicious-ness! these look amazing!
    Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…FRUITY BANANA DREAMMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! It was not a good day, but you know, gotta keep fighting…

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