Looking for an easy and delicious dessert to serve a crowd? Try making sheet pan sugar cookie bars!

These bars are soft, thick, and topped with creamy homemade frosting.

Cut apart sheet pan sugar cookie bars on a white platter

They're easy to customize for any occasion by changing up the frosting color and sprinkles.

No need to chill, roll, or cut the dough like traditional sugar cookies.

Simply spread the batter in a sheet pan and bake.

These bars are perfect for potlucks, parties, or just a sweet treat at any time.

Why you'll love this recipe!

No chilling or cutting dough!
Soft, thick, and chewy (just as good as regular sugar cookies)
Perfect for potlucks and parties!

Ingredients for making Sugar Cookie Bars in a sheet pan!

Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda

Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar
4-5 tablespoons milk
Food coloring (optional)
Sprinkles (optional)

Equipment Used:

Half sheet pan (13x18 inches)
Medium bowl
Large bowl
Hand mixer (or stand mixer with paddle attachment)
Spatula
Measuring cups
Measuring spoons

How to make sheet pan sugar cookie bars

To make the cookie

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a half-sheet pan with edges, set aside.

In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.

Add in the vanilla and eggs. Mixing between each egg addition.

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda.

Add this to the wet ingredients in several additions, mixing between each addition until just combined.

Spread into an even layer on the baking sheet and bake for 12-17 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean.

It will also look a light golden brown.

Allow the pan to completely cool on top of a baking rack before frosting.

To make the frosting

In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the butter until smooth.

Add the vanilla, salt and powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly until well combined.

Add in 4 tablespoons of milk and mix well.

Check consistency - mix in remaining milk if you want the frosting to be thinner.

If you are coloring the frosting, add food coloring to the frosting until you reach your desired coloring

Layer frosting on top of your sugar cookie bars and add sprinkles if desired.

Cut into bars and serve.

The frosting will harden so if you want to stack them on a tray you will want to make sure to give the cookies time for the frosting to set.

Can you freeze sugar cookie bars?

If you're wondering whether you can freeze sugar cookie bars, the answer is yes! Whether you're making them ahead of time for a party or just want to save some for later, freezing is a great option. To freeze, bake and cool the bars first, then wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil or use an airtight container. They can be frozen for up to 3 months. When you're ready to enjoy them, let them thaw at room temperature before frosting and decorating. To thaw, transfer them to the fridge and let them sit overnight. Remember to let them cool completely before freezing!

How to store sheet pan sugar cookie bars!

To keep your cookie bars fresh, store them in an airtight container for 3-4 days. This will ensure that your cookie bars stay delicious and ready to enjoy whenever you want them!

Can you use margarine instead of butter to make sugar cookie bars?

I personally would not substitute margarine in place of butter for this recipe nor really any baking recipe that calls for butter. The recipe WILL come out different. I'm not saying it can't be done, but it will taste different and more than likely have a different texture.

Can you use store-bought frosting instead?

Absolutely, but just keep in mind that store-bought frosting will not be set up like this homemade recipe. So that means you won't really be able to stack them for storing, etc.

How many bars does this recipe make?

This specific recipe uses a half-sheet pan so you are looking at approximately 20 bars depending on how big/small you cut them. If you need more you can double the batch and either cook them twice or use a full sheet pan that will make approximately 40 bars.

Get creative!

Don't be afraid to get creative with this sheet pan sugar cookie bars recipe!

You can experiment with different food coloring to create bars in any color you desire, or different sprinkle colors (even skip them altogether).

That is why this recipe is great for parties because the possibilities are endless, so have fun and let your creativity shine!

Even more delicious dessert bars!

Want to print or save this sugar cookie bars recipe?

Sheet Pan Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Melissa Coleman

These sheet pan sugar cookie bars are a crowd-pleaser and so simple to make. With just a few ingredients, you can whip up a tasty treat in no time!

5 from 1 vote

Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save

Prep Time 30

Cook Time 15

Total Time 45

Course Dessert

Ingredients

Cookies

1 cup unsalted butter softened
2 cups granulated sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
4 eggs
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon baking soda

Frosting

1 cup unsalted butter softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
⅛ teaspoon salt
4 cups powdered sugar
4-5 tablespoons milk
Food coloring optional
Sprinkles optional

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 375°F and grease a half-sheet pan with edges, set aside.
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth and creamy.
Add in the vanilla and eggs. Mixing between each egg addition.
In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients: flour, salt, and baking soda.
Add this to the wet ingredients in several additions, mixing between each addition until just combined.
Spread into an even layer on the baking sheet and bake for 12-17 minutes, until the center is set and a toothpick comes out clean. It will also look a light golden brown. Allow the pan to completely cool on top of a baking rack before frosting.
In a medium bowl, use a hand mixer on medium speed to beat the butter until smooth.
Add the vanilla, salt, and powdered sugar. Mix thoroughly until well combined.
Add in 4 tablespoons of milk and mix well. Check consistency – mix in the remaining milk if you want the frosting to be thinner. If you are coloring the frosting, add food coloring to the frosting until you reach your desired coloring.
Layer frosting on top of your sugar cookie bars and add sprinkles if desired.
Cut into bars and serve. The frosting will harden so if you want to stack them on a tray you will want to make sure to give the cookies time for the frosting to set.

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