Get ready for a fun treat with these Halloween sugar cookie bars! Soft and sweet, they’re perfect for celebrating the spooky season. Decorate them with bright icing and sprinkles!
I love how easy these bars are to make. Just mix, bake, and top them off with your favorite Halloween designs. It’s a fun way to get the kids involved in baking! 🎃
Key Ingredients & Substitutions
Unsalted Butter: Use unsalted to control the salt level in your bars. If you’re out, stick margarine works too, but I prefer the taste of real butter!
Granulated Sugar: This adds sweetness and gives the bars their soft texture. You can swap it with coconut sugar for a more caramel-like flavor. It’s a bit darker, but tasty!
All-Purpose Flour: It’s the base of the cookie bars. If you’re looking for gluten-free, almond flour can be a good alternative. Just keep in mind it may change the texture slightly.
Powdered Sugar: Used for the frosting’s sweetness and smooth texture. If you’re avoiding sugar, powdered erythritol can be a suitable substitute!
How Do I Make Sure My Cookie Bars Don’t Over-Bake?
Over-baking can lead to dry cookie bars, so here are a few tips:
- Check the bars at 20 minutes. They should be just set and the edges slightly golden.
- Use a toothpick: insert it in the center, and it should come out clean or with a few moist crumbs, not wet batter.
- Cooling time is important. Allow them to cool in the pan and on a wire rack to prevent them from cooking further.
What’s the Best Way to Frost and Decorate?
Frosting and decorating can be fun! Here are my top tips:
- Ensure the bars are completely cooled before frosting, or the frosting will melt.
- Using an offset spatula makes spreading the frosting easy and smooth.
- For decorating, lay out your candy eyeballs and sprinkles first so you can easily grab them while the frosting is still soft.
- Be creative! Use different combinations of sprinkles for unique designs on each bar.
Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients You’ll Need:
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2-3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring (orange, purple)
For Decorating:
- Edible candy eyeballs
- Colored sprinkles (orange, black, green, silver balls)
- Black decorating gel or icing
How Much Time Will You Need?
This recipe takes about 15 minutes to prepare and 20-25 minutes to bake. Allow some time for the bars to cool completely before frosting, and you’ll need another 10 minutes for decorating. So, you’re looking at about an hour in total to prepare these delightful treats!
Step-by-Step Instructions:
1. Preheat Your Oven:
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang so you can lift the bars out easily later.
2. Cream the Butter and Sugar:
In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes—don’t rush it!
3. Mix in the Egg and Vanilla:
Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter-sugar mixture. Mix well until everything is combined smoothly.
4. Combine Dry Ingredients:
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add these dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing gently just until combined. Don’t overmix; the dough will be thick and a little sticky.
5. Spread the Dough:
Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan. Spread it out evenly using a spatula or the back of a spoon, making sure to reach the edges.
6. Bake:
Bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes. You’ll know they’re done when the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Avoid over-baking, as this will make your bars dry. Once done, let the bars cool completely in the pan!
7. Prepare the Frosting:
While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In another bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing it in alternately with milk and the vanilla extract, until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Divide the frosting into two bowls and add orange food coloring to one and purple to the other, mixing until you achieve nice, bright colors.
8. Frost the Bars:
Once the bars have completely cooled, it’s time to frost them! Use the colored frosting to cover the bars—some with orange and some with purple.
9. Get Creative with Decorations:
Now comes the fun part! Use the candy eyeballs, sprinkles, and black decorating gel to create cute or spooky faces on your cookie bars. Let your creativity shine; you can use different combinations to give each bar its unique character.
10. Cut and Serve:
After decorating, let the frosting set a bit, then lift the cookie bars out of the pan using the parchment overhang. Cut them into squares and they’re ready to serve! Perfect for parties or a sweet Halloween treat!
Enjoy your festive Halloween sugar cookie bars, and happy baking! 🎃
Can I Use Margarine Instead of Butter?
Yes, you can substitute margarine for butter in this recipe. However, keep in mind that it may alter the flavor slightly. Unsalted margarine is the best choice to maintain the right balance of flavors!
How Should I Store Leftover Cookie Bars?
Store any leftover 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. Just make sure to let them come to room temperature before serving!
Can I Make This Recipe Gluten-Free?
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that measures cup-for-cup. Just make sure it contains xanthan gum to help with texture, and your cookie bars will turn out great!
What If My Cookie Bars Are Too Dry?
If your cookie bars turn out too dry, it’s likely they were over-baked. For next time, ensure you’re checking for doneness around the 20-minute mark, and watch them closely until they are just set!
