Sugar Cookie Bars are under baked but crisp on the edge and totally sweet. Plus they are covered with sprinkles...and who doesn't like sprinkles?
A few months ago I made these sugar cookie bars, that are now known as "boy bars". These sweet and sparkly cookie bars were to celebrate the birth of a new baby, but were given to the new baby's big brother.
I hear they were quite popular, so I figured it was time to share. There are lots of sugar cookie bars to be found and many of them contain cream cheese. They are then frosted with icing, but these are not those bars.
These sugar cookie bars are also known as "the Greta" because they were sent weekly to the Milk Bar bakery where Christina Tosi is the chef. Yes, Greta is Christina's mom, and a great one she must be.
My kids certainly never received cookies weekly! They were happy if I sent them once a year!
Christina's cookbooks are fun to read and fun to cook from. I've even managed several of her cakes! Though most are a bit step heavy, these sugar cookie bars are simple. The ingredients are simple. The process is simple. But the cookie bars are amazing.
Well, I say that and my experience only involves a three year old who wants more! Honestly, I'm not sure if he loved the cookies or the blue sprinkles covering them, the most!
So Whitney...here is the recipe! Your turn! But I must treat Whitney well, because she is the maid of honor in my daughter's wedding!
And yes! We found the dress at shop #3 but it was only decided upon after Zoe bought another dress at shop #5. Luckily, shop #5 was kind enough to refund her the deposit. What a process!
She looked gorgeous in every dress she tried on...I kid you not! In the end she decided to choose the dress that made her feel like a princess. She has always wanted to be a princess for the day! And here I thought she already was!
So I just had to share a few pics. This was not an easy decision! And no...none of these are the dress she chose!
And yes, below is my dress worn many years ago! How styles have changed!
You can see where my head is at! Now we only have a year to go!
But back to sugar cookie bars. Made with butter and oil, these sugary, vanilla tasting gems, are a breeze to whip together. They do rise and become not so dense and have been described by some as being a combination of a cookie and a cake, though I wasn't getting the cake vibe.
Here in Colorado they rose and then sunk in the center, but for those who love edges, this created crispy edges with a chewy under baked center. Something for everyone!
These sugar cookie bars are suitable for all occasions. For those who don't love chocolate, these would make a perfect anytime bar! Even for chocolate lovers like me!
Topped with cinnamon and sugar, one might call these snickerdoodle bars. However the choice is up to you. Sprinkles? Cinnamon sugar? Right now all is good!
Need some more?
Mexican Wedding Cookies
Lofthouse Sugar Cookies
Soft Sugar Cookies
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Recipe
Milk Bar Sugar Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 15 Minutes
- Cook Time: 20 Minutes
- Total Time: 35 Minutes
- Yield: About 30 squares 1x
- Category: Cookies/Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Sugar Cookie Bars are sweet and chewy and have the texture of an under baked cookie. Of course, you could bake it longer but if you love edges, those turn out nice and crisp!
Ingredients
2 sticks butter, softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
½ cup canola or flavorless oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 cups flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ cup milk
4 to 8 tablespoons decorative sprinkles or sparkling sugar of your choice (may substitute a combination of 2 tablespoons sugar and 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon)
Instructions
Heat the oven to 350°F.
Grease a 13 × 9-inch baking pan.
Combine the butter and sugar in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment and cream on high until homogenous, about 3 minutes.
Add the eggs, oil, and vanilla and mix until just combined, about 1 minute.
Add the flour, salt, and baking soda, mixing until just combined, about 30 seconds.
Mix in the milk until just combined, about 30 seconds.
Spread the dough in an even layer in the prepared pan.
Mix together the sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl and sprinkle evenly over the cookie dough OR just cover with colored sugar or sprinkles.
Bake 20 to 25 minutes for a slightly under baked cookie (which is how I like it), or another 3 to 5 minutes if you’re a firm cookie fan. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into squares.
Notes
Many sugar cookie bars are frosted, but these are sweet and perfectly acceptable without! Besides, everyone loves sprinkles!
sherry says
these slices look delicious and pretty. wow those dresses ...
Abbe says
Yeah! Almost as pretty as those dresses!
Rahul says
Blue is my fav color ..What a simple yet tasty treat Abbe! Loved watching Christina on Junior Master chef, I hope the new season comes soon and yes Zoe looks like princess in every dress 🙂
John / Kitchen Riffs says
Wow, Zoe (and you!!) must be getting so excited. So much to do. So daily doses of these delights are a necessity, I'd say. Wonderful recipe -- thanks.
Abbe says
Well, it is still a year away, so it's all hands on deck! But it is fun!
Holly says
Of course I'd love these sweet cookie bars but even more I LOVE those photos of Zoe and the dresses are gorgeous! Can't wait to hear about the dress she chose.
Abbe says
Thanks Holly. We will have to have a really long chat!
angiesrecipes says
Zoe looks so gorgeous, happy, sweet (just like these cookie bars) and exactly like YOU!!! These cookies bars look heavenly!
Abbe says
Aww! Thanks Angie. I think that's the first time I thought we looked alike!