Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

These Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect sweet treat for the season of love. Soft, thick, and packed with festive sprinkles, they offer a delightful twist on classic sugar cookies. Topped with a smooth glaze and candy hearts, they’re as charming as they are delicious.

Ingredients

• 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp Valentine sprinkles (to mix into dough)
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 Tbsp milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
• 0.25 cup Valentine sprinkles + candy hearts for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy lifting.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract; mix until just combined.
3. Step 3: Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and stir until a soft dough forms. Fold in 2 tablespoons of Valentine sprinkles.
4. Step 4: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. If you have time, chill the dough in the pan for 10–15 minutes to help it hold its shape while baking.
5. Step 5: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
6. Step 6: In a medium bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until smooth and thick. Add gel food coloring if desired to tint the glaze.
7. Step 7: Use the parchment overhang to lift the cooled bars from the pan. Spread the glaze evenly over the top and immediately sprinkle with Valentine sprinkles and candy hearts.
8. Step 8: Slice into 16 bars and serve.

Tips & Variations

• For thicker, chewier bars, be sure to use an 8×8 inch pan rather than a larger size which will produce thinner, crisper bars.
• Try substituting your favorite holiday sprinkles if you want a different festive look or for birthdays and other occasions.
• If you prefer a glossier glaze, add a teaspoon more milk, mixing slowly to reach your desired consistency.

Storage

Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. They also refrigerate well for up to a week—just bring to room temperature before serving. If glazed, avoid sealing tightly until the glaze has set to prevent sticking. Warm individual bars gently in the microwave for 10–15 seconds if you prefer them soft.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

Yes, but reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe to avoid oversalting your cookie bars.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, but keep in mind the texture might vary slightly.

Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.7 from 66 reviews

Delight in these Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars, perfect for celebrating love with a sweet and colorful treat. These bars feature a soft, chewy texture loaded with festive Valentine sprinkles inside and topped with a sweet glaze and candy hearts, making them a charming dessert for any occasion.

• Author: Rami
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Total Time: 45 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Sweet Treats & Desserts
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Dough

• 1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
• 0.5 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking soda
• 0.25 tsp salt
• 2 Tbsp Valentine sprinkles (to mix into dough)

Glaze and Topping

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 4 Tbsp milk (whole or 2%)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
• 0.25 cup Valentine sprinkles + candy hearts for topping

Instructions

1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure to leave an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, beat the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then add the eggs one at a time along with the vanilla extract, mixing just until combined to avoid overmixing.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Gradually add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until a soft dough forms. Gently fold in 2 tablespoons of the Valentine sprinkles.
4. Press Dough and Chill: Evenly press the dough into the prepared 8×8 inch pan to create an even layer. If you have time, chill the dough in the refrigerator for 10 to 15 minutes to help achieve a thicker, chewier texture.
5. Bake: Bake the dough for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
6. Prepare Glaze: While the bars cool, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract in a bowl until smooth and thick. Add a few drops of pink or red gel food coloring if you want a festive hue.
7. Glaze and Decorate: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the cooled cookie bars out of the pan. Evenly spread the glaze over the top and immediately sprinkle the remaining Valentine sprinkles and candy hearts on top before the glaze sets.
8. Slice and Serve: Cut the slab into 16 equal-sized bars and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container to maintain freshness.

Notes

• Using an 8×8 inch pan is crucial to get thick, chewy bars; using a larger pan will produce thinner, crispier bars.
• If you wish to make the bars more festive, feel free to use different colors or shapes of sprinkles according to occasion.
• Allow the bars to cool completely before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting or sliding off.
• You can substitute the milk in the glaze with almond or oat milk for a dairy-free option, but this may slightly alter the taste and texture.

Keywords: 8×8 dessert, chewy cookie bars, easy cookie bars, sugar cookie bars, valentine cookie bars