If you’re looking for a delightful and festive treat this spring, the Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is an absolute must-try. Combining the soft, buttery goodness of classic sugar cookies with playful pastel frosting and colorful Easter egg candies, these bars are not only eye-catching but bursting with flavor. Perfect for lively gatherings, classroom parties, or simply indulging your sweet tooth, this recipe makes baking fun and straightforward while giving you a charming centerpiece that everyone will rave about. Let me walk you through why these cookie bars will quickly become your new holiday favorite!
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple pantry staples but essential for creating the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and color in your Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe. Each component plays its role in delivering that tender cookie base and creamy, colorful frosting that makes this dessert so irresistible.
- All-purpose flour: Provides the sturdy yet tender foundation for the sugar cookie bars.
- Baking soda: Helps the bars rise gently and creates a light texture.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and moisture to both the cookie and frosting layers.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and caramelizes to give the cookie a slight crunch on the edges.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide structure.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses the bars with a warm, classic flavor that’s simply irresistible.
- Almond extract (optional): Offers a subtle nutty note for added depth of flavor.
- Sour cream (or plain yogurt): Keeps the bars tender and moist with a mild tang.
- Powdered sugar: Creates a smooth, sweet frosting perfect for coloring and spreading.
- Heavy cream (or milk): Adjusts the frosting’s consistency to creamy perfection.
- Gel food coloring: Brings those cheerful pastel colors to life for Easter vibes.
- Easter egg candies: Decorative and delicious, they add crunch and whimsy to the finished bars.
How to Make Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Baking Dish
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for smooth removal later on. This step ensures your sugar cookie bars will bake evenly and come out without a hitch.
Step 2: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Mixing these dry ingredients first helps distribute the rising agent and seasoning evenly through the dough, giving your bars the perfect texture and flavor balance.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
Using a stand mixer or hand mixer, beat the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. This usually takes around 2 to 3 minutes and is key to incorporating air that makes the cookies tender and soft.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
Add the eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to ensure full incorporation. Then, stir in the vanilla extract and optional almond extract for a fragrant and rich flavor base that feels special for Easter celebrations.
Step 5: Mix in Sour Cream
Fold in the sour cream (or plain yogurt if preferred). This ingredient is a fantastic secret to keeping your sugar cookie bars exceptionally moist and tender, giving just the right amount of softness without sogginess.
Step 6: Incorporate Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredients from your earlier bowl, mixing just until combined. Be careful not to overmix at this stage; overworking the batter can create dense bars rather than the soft, chewy texture we want.
Step 7: Spread and Bake
Press the cookie dough evenly into your prepared baking dish, smoothing the top with a spatula or your hands. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. This baking time strikes the perfect balance between tender bars and a lightly crisp crust.
Step 8: Cool Completely
Allow the bars to cool fully in the pan on a wire rack. It’s tempting to frost warm bars, but waiting ensures your frosting won’t melt or slide off, creating that flawless finish we’re after.
Step 9: Prepare the Frosting
Beat the softened butter in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until you reach the consistency you desire. Stir in heavy cream and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable. You can adjust the cream or sugar quantity for the perfect creamy texture.
Step 10: Color and Decorate
Divide the frosting into several bowls and tint each with gel food coloring to create soft pastel shades perfect for Easter. Spread the frosting in a smooth, even layer over your cooled cookie bars. Finally, decorate with brightly colored Easter egg candies like Cadbury Mini Eggs or jelly beans for a fun and festive touch.
How to Serve Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
A sprinkle of additional mini candies or edible glitter can elevate your Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe presentation beautifully. Fresh mint leaves or edible flowers also add a seasonal freshness that complements the colorful theme.
Side Dishes
Pair these sweet bars with a simple glass of cold milk or a cup of lightly brewed tea to balance their sweetness. For an Easter brunch spread, offer alongside fresh fruit or yogurt parfaits to keep things light and festive.
Creative Ways to Present
Serving your Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars on a pastel-colored platter or a rustic wooden board instantly creates a charming centerpiece. You can cut the bars into bite-sized squares and serve with toothpicks for easy party snacking or arrange them in the shape of an Easter egg for a playful presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, store your Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps them soft and fresh while preserving the colorful frosting and candy decorations.
Freezing
These bars freeze wonderfully! Wrap individual bars or the entire uncut slab tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil before freezing. They will keep well for up to three months. Thaw overnight in the fridge, then bring to room temperature before frosting and decorating.
Reheating
If you prefer your cookie bars slightly warm, gently reheat individual slices in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Avoid overheating or the frosting may melt. Warm bars are especially delightful with a cold glass of milk!
FAQs
Can I substitute plain yogurt for sour cream in this recipe?
Absolutely! Plain yogurt works just as well as sour cream, and it will keep the bars moist with a slight tang, perfect for this recipe.
What type of Easter egg candies work best for decoration?
Cadbury Mini Eggs and jelly beans are fantastic choices because they add both color and a crunchy texture contrast. You could also try malted milk eggs or even small chocolate eggs if you prefer.
Is it necessary to use gel food coloring for the frosting?
Gel food coloring is recommended because it provides vibrant colors without thinning the frosting. Liquid food coloring can make the frosting runny, which is less ideal for spreading and decorating.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the frosting a day in advance. Store it covered in the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature before coloring and spreading on your bars.
What’s the best way to cut these bars cleanly?
Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts. Cutting when the frosting is completely set helps prevent smudging and keeps edges neat.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly joyful about baking treats that bring color, sweetness, and smiles to the table, and this Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is just that kind of delight. It’s simple enough for a weeknight baking project yet special enough to impress everyone at your holiday gathering. I can’t wait for you to try it and see how those soft cookie bars paired with creamy pastel frosting and cheerful candy decorations become your new Easter tradition!
Print
Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
These Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful and festive treat perfect for celebrating spring and Easter. Featuring a soft, buttery sugar cookie base topped with creamy pastel-colored frosting and decorated with colorful Easter egg candies, these bars bring together classic flavors with a fun holiday twist. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, they’re sure to be a hit at any gathering.
Ingredients
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup sour cream (or plain yogurt)
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3–4 cups powdered sugar (adjust for desired thickness)
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Gel food coloring (pastel colors for Easter)
- Easter egg candies (like Cadbury Mini Eggs or Jelly Beans) for decoration
Instructions
- Prepare the Sugar Cookie Bars: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition, followed by the vanilla and almond extract (if using).
- Incorporate Sour Cream: Mix in the sour cream until combined.
- Combine Dry and Wet Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined to avoid overmixing.
- Shape the Dough: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, pressing it down into an even layer.
- Bake the Bars: Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are golden, and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
- Incorporate Cream and Vanilla: Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and beat until smooth and fluffy. Adjust consistency by adding more powdered sugar or cream if needed.
- Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls, and add a few drops of gel food coloring to each bowl to create pastel colors such as pink, blue, yellow, and green.
- Assemble the Bars: Once the bars have cooled, spread a layer of frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula.
- Decorate: Decorate the bars with Easter egg candies like Cadbury Mini Eggs or Jelly Beans. Arrange in patterns or scatter for a festive look.
- Serve and Enjoy: Slice the cookie bars into squares and serve as a sweet treat for Easter or spring celebrations.
Notes
- You can substitute sour cream with plain yogurt for a slightly tangier flavor.
- If you prefer, almond extract can be omitted or replaced with extra vanilla extract.
- Adjust the frosting thickness by varying the amount of powdered sugar and cream to your preference.
- Ensure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.
- For variety, you can use different types of Easter candy decorations or sprinkles.
