Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars

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These Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars are easy to make, covered in a layer of pink vanilla buttercream and topped with heart shaped sprinkles!

These Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars with pink vanilla buttercream are so much easier to make than regular sugar cookies. Forget about all of the chilling, rolling, cutting and painstakingly decorating a million cookies. For this recipe you simply have to make the dough, press it into a pan then slather on a delicious layer of frosting and plenty of heart shaped sprinkles!

Looking for more Valentine’s Day baking recipes? Try my Heart Shaped Brownies, Valentine Sprinkle Cookies or Heart Shaped Scones!

Why You’ll Love These Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars

• They’re quick and easy to make.
• No chilling, rolling or cutting! Just press the dough in a pan and bake right away!
• They’re soft, thick and have lots of vanilla flavor.
• The recipe can be easily doubled and baked in a 9×13 inch pan.

Ingredient Breakdown

All-purpose flour – this gives the cookie bars structure.

Baking powder – a little bit of baking powder helps the cookie bars rise slightly. Do not use baking soda!

Butter – provides flavor and structure. I always recommend using unsalted butter but salted butter works if that’s all you have on hand, just be sure to omit the 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Do not use cold or melted butter.

Granulated sugar – sweetens and softens cookies. Do not substitute it with brown sugar.

Egg – helps bind the ingredients.

Vanilla extract and salt – enhances flavor. Always use pure vanilla extract instead of imitation for best flavor.

Valentine sprinkles – make sure that you use jimmies and not nonpareils because nonpareils tend to bleed into the dough. Confetti quins will also work.

How To Make Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars

1. Make the Sugar Cookie Dough: In a small bowl whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside.

2. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment to cream softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the egg and vanilla extract then mix until just combined. Scrape the sides of the bowl.

4. Add the dry ingredients all at once and mix on low speed until almost combined then add the Valentine’s Day sprinkles. Do not over mix the dough because it will make the cookie bars tough.

5. Press the sugar cookie dough into the prepared 8×8 inch pan using clean hands or the back of a measuring cup to smooth it out.

6. Bake sugar cookie bars at 350°F for 20-22 minutes. The edges will be slightly browned and the center will still be pale. Let cookie bars cool completely on a wire rack.

7. Make the Vanilla Buttercream: Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the butter until light and fluffy.

8. Add confectioners’ sugar and mix on low until combined.

9. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream or milk then beat until fluffy. Add salt to taste. Decorate cooled cookie bars as desired. Store Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days at room temperature or up to 5 days in the fridge.

Pro Tips For Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars

• Weigh your ingredients using a kitchen scale! Measuring ingredients by volume is not accurate.
• Use jimmies sprinkles and not nonpareils because nonpareils tend to bleed into the dough. Confetti quins will also work.
• Make sure your parchment paper hangs over the sides of the pan for easy removal after baking!
• Don’t over mix the dough! There should still be streaks of flour in the dough when you add the sprinkles. Over mixing = more gluten development which means tough cookie bars. Over mixing can also cause the sprinkles to bleed into the dough.
• Wait until the sugar cookie bars are COMPLETELY COOLED before frosting otherwise the buttercream will melt.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Can You Freeze Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars?

Yes! These sugar cookie bars can be frozen for up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

Can You Make Sugar Cookie Dough In Advance?

Yes! Once you press the the sugar cookie dough into the 8×8 inch pan you can either refrigerate it for up to 3 days or freeze it for up to 3 months wrapped tightly in plastic wrap.

What’s the difference between sugar cookies And Shortbread?

Unlike sugar cookies, shortbread is made without eggs or any leavening agents. Shortbread also has a more crumbly texture as a result of the dough’s high fat content. If you’re looking for shortbread recipes try my Mini Chocolate Chip Shortbread Bars or Shortbread Thumbprint Cookies or Matcha Shortbread Cookies.

Which Sprinkles Are Best For Cookie Bars?

When making any type of sprinkle-filled dessert, whether it be cake, cookies, etc., you should always use jimmies sprinkles! You never want to use nonpareils because they tend to bleed into the dough. Confetti quins will also work if that’s all you have on hand.

If you try this recipe then please leave a rating/comment below to let me know how you liked it and feel free to ask any recipe questions you may have! 🙂