These Halloween sugar cookie bars are fun and festive! They are soft, sweet, and topped with colorful icing. Perfect for sharing with family or friends!
I love how easy they are to cut and serve. Plus, you can get creative with the icing—spooky shapes or smiling pumpkins are always a hit! 🎃
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
All-Purpose Flour: This is essential for structure. If you’re gluten-free, you can substitute a gluten-free blend. Just check the blend’s packaging for any additional changes needed.
Unsalted Butter: Here, I find unsalted butter gives more control over the saltiness. If you only have salted butter, just skip adding any extra salt in the recipe.
Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens and adds texture. For a less sweet option, try coconut sugar, but it may change the color a bit!
Vanilla & Almond Extracts: These add flavor depth. If you don’t have almond, just double the vanilla. Also, consider flavoring with hazelnut or lemon extract for a twist!
Whole Milk: This keeps the bars moist. If dairy-free, use almond milk or coconut milk, just make sure they’re unsweetened!
How Do I Achieve the Perfect Frosting Texture?
The frosting can make or break these bars! Start with softened butter for a creamy base. When adding powdered sugar, do it gradually and mix well to prevent lumps.
- After mixing in the sugar, add milk in small amounts until you reach your desired consistency. You want it spreadable but not runny.
- For vibrant frosting, use gel food coloring instead of liquid. It gives nice color without adding too much liquid.
- If your frosting is too thick, add a little more milk. If it’s too thin, just mix in a bit more powdered sugar.
Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients:
- 2 ¾ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- ¼ cup whole milk
For the Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- Food coloring (orange, green, purple)
- Halloween sprinkles, candy eyeballs, and themed decorations for garnish
Time Estimate:
This delightful Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars recipe will take about 15 minutes to prepare and 25-30 minutes to bake. Once it’s baked, let it cool completely, which might take another 30 minutes or so. Total time from start to finish is roughly 1 hour and 15 minutes, plus some additional time for decorating!
Instructions:
1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan:
First, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Then, grease and flour a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper to help you easily remove the bars later.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients:
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Once mixed, set it aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugar:
In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Mix on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will create a nice base for your bars!
4. Add Eggs and Extracts:
Now, it’s time to add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if you’re using it). Beat everything together until well combined.
5. Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients:
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the butter mixture, alternating with pours of milk. Start and end with the dry ingredients. Mix just until everything is combined—avoid overmixing to keep your bars nice and soft!
6. Bake the Bars:
Spread the cookie dough evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top with a spatula. Bake in your preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the top is golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Cool Completely:
Remove the baking pan from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack before you move on to frosting. This is crucial to keep the frosting from melting!
8. Prepare the Frosting:
While your bars are cooling, make the frosting. In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing to avoid a sugar cloud, then add the vanilla extract. Pour in enough milk or cream to achieve a spreadable frosting consistency.
9. Color the Frosting:
Divide the frosting into three bowls. Add orange food coloring to one bowl, green to another, and purple to the last. Mix until you get vibrant and even colors—fun for Halloween!
10. Frost the Bars:
Once the bars are cool, spread the colorful frostings evenly over them, creating a festive look!
11. Decorate:
Now for the fun part! Decorate with Halloween-themed sprinkles, candy eyeballs, and any other spooky decorations you desire. Let your creativity shine!
12. Cut and Serve:
Finally, cut the bars into squares and serve. If there are any leftovers, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Enjoy your bright and festive Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars—perfect for any seasonal gathering or just a fun treat at home! 🎃
Can I Use a Different Type of Flour?
Yes! You can substitute all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend. Just make sure it’s a 1:1 ratio flour substitute designed for baking to get the best results!
How Should I Store the Cookie Bars?
Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you want them to last longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week, but let them come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor!
Can I Freeze These Cookie Bars?
Absolutely! You can freeze the unfrosted bars. Once cooled, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer bag. They will stay fresh for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before frosting and serving!
What Can I Use Instead of Almond Extract?
If you don’t have almond extract or prefer not to use it, you can simply omit it or replace it with an additional teaspoon of vanilla extract, or even try a splash of orange or lemon extract for an interesting twist!
