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Festive Star-Spangled Sugar Cookie Bars

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These soft, chewy sugar cookie bars are an easy and festive dessert perfect for patriotic celebrations, featuring a buttery vanilla flavor and colorful star-shaped sprinkles.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ½ cups (312 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (227 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
  • ½ cup (100 g) granulated sugar (for sprinkling)
  • Red, white, and blue star-shaped sprinkles or sanding sugar (about ¼ cup total)
  • Optional: A pinch of edible glitter for extra sparkle

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan with butter or non-stick spray, or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Set aside.
  3. In a separate bowl, use an electric mixer to beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter and 1 ½ cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
  4. Beat in 2 large eggs, one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract until smooth and glossy.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed or folding with a spatula until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press it down evenly with your hands or the back of a spoon.
  7. Sprinkle ½ cup granulated sugar evenly over the dough, followed by red, white, and blue star sprinkles. Optionally, dust with edible glitter.
  8. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes before slicing into stars or squares.

Notes

Use room temperature butter for proper creaming. Avoid overmixing the flour to keep bars soft. Sprinkle star-shaped sprinkles on top just before baking to keep their shape and color. Dough can be prepared and refrigerated overnight to improve flavor and ease pressing. Let bars cool completely before slicing for clean cuts.

Nutrition

Keywords: sugar cookie bars, patriotic dessert, Fourth of July dessert, easy sugar cookies, star-shaped cookies, festive dessert, summer dessert

Find it online: https://cheerycrisp.com/festive-star-spangled-sugar-cookie-bars-easy-patriotic-dessert-recipe/