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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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Find it online: https://cheframi.com/chewy-valentine-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/