These Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars are a fun and festive treat! Soft, sweet, and covered in colorful sprinkles, they’re perfect for any spooky celebration.
Making these bars is a breeze! Just mix the dough, spread it in a pan, and bake. I love cutting them into fun shapes and sharing with friends—it’s like a Halloween party in every bite!
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-purpose flour: This gives the bars structure. You could use a gluten-free flour blend if necessary. I’ve personally had good results with almond flour; it adds a nutty taste!
Butter: Unsalted butter is best for this recipe, allowing you to manage the salt levels. If you need a dairy-free option, try using coconut oil or a plant-based butter substitute.
Sugar: Granulated sugar keeps these bars sweet and light. Brown sugar can add a deeper flavor and a little chewiness if you want to experiment with texture!
Gel food coloring: While orange and purple are traditional for Halloween, feel free to use natural dyes if you prefer a healthier alternative. Beet juice can give you vibrant pinks!
Sprinkles: Don’t have Halloween-themed sprinkles? Any festive color combination works, or you can use chopped nuts or chocolate chips for a different element!
How Can I Ensure My Sugar Cookie Bars Are Soft and Chewy?
Getting that perfect texture in sugar cookie bars requires attention to detail. Here are my tips to ensure they’re soft and chewy:
- Don’t overmix the dough once you combine the wet and dry ingredients; this keeps the bars tender.
- Press the dough evenly into the pan, ensuring even baking throughout.
- Keep an eye on the baking time. Start checking around the 20-minute mark. You want the edges slightly golden but the center still soft.
- Let them cool completely in the pan to help set the texture.
These simple tips will help you bake up some delightfully soft and chewy sugar cookie bars for Halloween! Enjoy the process and the yummy treats you’ll create!
Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Sugar Cookie Base:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1-2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Orange gel food coloring
- Purple gel food coloring
- Black gel food coloring (for decorating dots or designs)
For Decorating:
- Halloween-themed colored sprinkles (orange, black, purple, green, white, etc.)
How Much Time Will You Need?
This delightful recipe takes about 20-25 minutes to bake and another 30 minutes to cool. With prep time included, you should set aside about 1 hour to make, frost, and decorate these spooky treats. Perfect for a festive gathering or Halloween party!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick spray to prevent sticking. Setting this up first will make things easier later on!
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This helps ensure your dry ingredients are evenly combined and aerated, which leads to a better texture in your bars.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together. Mix until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 2-3 minutes. This step adds air and makes your bars nice and soft!
4. Add Egg and Vanilla:
Next, add in the egg and vanilla extract. Beat everything together until fully blended into the butter mixture.
5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture. Mix until just combined; be careful not to overmix to keep your bars tender.
6. Press Dough into Pan:
Spread the sugar cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Press it down firmly and smooth the top to ensure even baking.
7. Bake:
Place the pan in the oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. A toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean when done!
8. Cool:
Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling step is crucial to ensure your frosting doesn’t melt when applied!
9. Prepare Frosting:
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, about 1 cup at a time, mixing well after each. Then, add the vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk or cream. Adjust the consistency by adding a little more milk if needed.
10. Divide and Color Frosting:
Divide the frosting into two bowls. Add orange gel food coloring to one and purple gel food coloring to the other, mixing until you achieve vibrant colors.
11. Frost the Bars:
Spread the orange frosting evenly over the cooled cookie base. If you want, you can pipe or spread purple frosting in patches or designs to make it look festive and fun!
12. Decorate:
Use the black gel food coloring to pipe small Halloween-themed shapes or dots. Sprinkle generously with your colored Halloween sprinkles to make them extra festive!
13. Set and Serve:
Allow the frosting to set for about 30 minutes before cutting into squares. A sharp knife will help you achieve clean edges for perfectly cut bars.
14. Enjoy:
Slice them up and serve your delightful Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars! They’re perfect for parties, gatherings, or just enjoying at home with family.
These bars have a soft, tender sugar cookie base topped with rich, colorful frosting, making them a spectacular treat for Halloween celebrations. The sprinkles and black gel details add fun, spooky touches you’ll love!
Can I Use Different Food Coloring for the Frosting?
Absolutely! While we recommend orange and purple for a Halloween theme, you can use any gel food coloring you prefer. Natural food dyes can also be used if you want a healthier option!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookie Bars?
Store any leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
Can I Freeze Sugar Cookie Bars?
Yes, you can freeze these cookie bars! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in an airtight container or freezer bag. They should maintain their quality for up to 3 months!
What If My Frosting Is Too Runny?
If your frosting is too runny, simply add more powdered sugar, a little at a time, until you reach the desired consistency. Ensure you mix well after each addition!
