Valentine’s Day is approaching and while many couples are starting to think about Valentine’s Day gifts and mementos to show their true love, I’m quite happy with sweets, like these Easy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars. I’d rather have a batch of freshly made sugar cookies than a bouquet of flowers any day. Don’t get me wrong. I love flowers and I love receiving flowers, but buttercream frosting really is the way to my heart. This sugar cookie recipe is SO EASY, even Thom, who hates baking, can whip these up without any problems or hassle. (ahem, hint hint)
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Last year I made these fun cookie monsters. Making this simple sugar recipe into bars instead of individual cookies is what makes the whole process so easy. Let’s make them!
Easy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars
These sugar cookies are really just as easy as dumping everything into a bowl, giving a good mix and patting the dough into a parchment lined baking pan. They bake quickly and look great on their own. Adding the buttercream frosting takes them over the top and if you can’t go over the top on Valentine’s Day, when can you? My motto for frosting is: go big, or go home. A THICK blanket of frosting didn’t never hurt nobody. (Okay, disclaimer: frosting isn’t good for you all the time but for a once-in-a-while treat, go big) ((Also, I’m aware that sentence had double double-negatives, grammar police stand down))
Sprinkle more love on top of that frosting with some sweet heart shaped sprinkles.
The frosting is super sweet so cut each square into even smaller pieces if you’re stressing about such things.
For extra pretties, I placed a cupcake liner on each plate before placing the sugar cookie bar on it. These are dense enough to eat with your hands, too. Add a pretty fork for those who are super fancy. (ahem, me)
PrintEasy valentine Sugar Cookie Bars
- 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 3/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Easy Buttercream Frosting
- 1 stick unsweet butter, softened
- 1 lb. confectioner’s sugar, sifted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1-2 tablespoons milk, as needed
Easy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars
- Place butter and sugar in the bowl of an electric mixer. Beat until light and fluffy, 2-3 minutes.
- Add egg, mix until combined.
- Add flour, baking powder, and salt and mix until well combined.
- Pat dough into an 8 x 8 parchment lined baking pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.
- For the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add 2 cups confectioner’s sugar and mix. Add vanilla and almond extract. With mixer running, add a tablespoon of milk and mix until desired consistency, adding more milk, as needed.
Tools to make Easy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars
Use parchment paper for easy removal.
I love baking in a plain white ceramic baking dish. I picked up mine at TJ Maxx but this one is similar.
Invdividual servings look pretty layered with cupcake liners flattened with the patterned side facing up.
Plastic forks come in a variety of colors to match your party colors and make cleanup quick!
Paper lace heart doilies also are fun for decorating your Valentine treat table.
Have you tried sugar cookies in bar form? They’re my new fave! Tell me below, or join in the conversation over at the Desperately Seeking: Inspiration for Creative Living Facebook page.
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Great idea I will bake some and take to my grandchildren school for their presents this year will let you know how it goes.
Thanks, Beverly! They are really good. I had to get these guys into the freezer before I ate them all! Thanks for reading. 💚