Sugar Cookie Bars
EQUIPMENT
8×8 baking pan
Mixing bowls
Hand Mixer or Stand Mixer
Whisk
Parchment paper
INGREDIENTS
1 cup granulated sugar (200g)
0.5 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 large eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
0.25 tsp salt
2 Tbsp Valentine sprinkles (to mix into dough)
2 cups powdered sugar
4 Tbsp milk (whole or 2%)
1 tsp vanilla extract
pink or red gel food coloring (optional)
0.25 cup Valentine sprinkles + candy hearts for topping
INSTRUCTIONS
Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy lifting.
Cream the room-temperature butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla; mix until just combined.
Whisk together flour, baking soda, and salt. Add to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms. Fold in 2 tablespoons of Valentine sprinkles.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared 8×8 pan. Chill for 10–15 minutes if time allows.
Bake for 15–20 minutes, until edges turn lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and thick; tint with gel food coloring if desired.
Lift the cooled bar slab from the pan. Spread the glaze evenly over the top and immediately add sprinkles and candy hearts. Slice into 16 bars.#valentinesdayfood #lemon8challenge #cookies #valentinesdaydessert
If you're looking to bring a little extra cheer to your Valentine's Day celebration, these chewy Valentine sugar cookie bars are a wonderful homemade treat. One of the things I particularly love about this recipe is how versatile it is — you can customize the sprinkles and colors to fit any occasion or personal taste. When making these bars, I found it really helpful to let the dough chill briefly before baking. This step isn’t mandatory but it helps the bars stay thick and chewy, rather than spreading out too thin in the pan. Also, using parchment paper to line the baking pan makes it so much easier to lift out the bars for glazing and slicing. Speaking of glaze, mixing powdered sugar with milk and vanilla extract creates a smooth, sweet topping that balances the buttery cookie base perfectly. Adding pink or red gel food coloring and a sprinkle of Valentine-themed candy hearts instantly adds a festive look, which always impresses guests. From my experience, these bars freeze well, both before and after baking. Just make sure they’re completely cooled if you plan to freeze them post-baking, and thaw them at room temperature when you’re ready to enjoy. This makes them a great make-ahead dessert for parties or busy holiday schedules. Additionally, while the recipe calls for Valentine sprinkles, I’ve experimented with cinnamon or almond extract for a unique twist on flavor, which also works delightfully with the vanilla glaze. Overall, this recipe is straightforward and beginner-friendly but yields bakery-quality results. It’s a fantastic way to add a personal touch to your Valentine's Day offerings, whether for family, friends, or a special occasion.
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