Print

Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Print Recipe

★★★★★

4.9 from 105 reviews

These Chewy Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars offer the delightful flavors of classic sugar cookies without the fuss of rolling and cutting dough. Thick, soft, and festively adorned with pink glaze and sprinkles, these bars bake perfectly in a simple 8×8 pan, making them ideal for easy sharing during Valentine’s celebrations.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

  • 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)

Glaze and Topping

  • 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

  1. Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal of the bars later.
  2. Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream together the room-temperature unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy, ensuring a tender texture in the final bars.
  3. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Add the eggs and vanilla extract to the creamed mixture. Mix until just combined to avoid overworking the dough.
  4. Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt in a separate bowl to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
  5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing until a soft dough forms. Fold in 2 tablespoons of Valentine sprinkles to add festive color and texture.
  6. Press Dough into Pan: Evenly press the dough into the prepared 8×8 pan. For best results, chill the dough in the pan for 10–15 minutes if time permits. This helps prevent spreading during baking.
  7. Bake the Bars: Bake for 15–20 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Cool Completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan to ensure the glaze will set properly.
  9. Prepare the Glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and thick. Tint with pink or red gel food coloring if desired for a festive touch.
  10. Glaze and Decorate: Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the cooled bar slab from the pan. Spread the glaze evenly over the top, then immediately sprinkle with additional Valentine sprinkles and candy hearts.
  11. Slice and Serve: Slice the frosted bars into 16 equal pieces and serve.

Notes

  • Using an 8×8 pan is crucial to achieve thick, chewy bars — using a larger pan will result in thinner, crispier bars.
  • Chilling the dough before baking helps control spreading and keeps the bars thick.
  • The bars should be fully cooled before glazing to prevent the glaze from melting into the cookies.
  • Feel free to customize the sprinkles and colors to match other occasions.

Keywords: 8×8 dessert, chewy cookie bars, easy cookie bars, sugar cookie bars, valentine cookie bars

Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/chewy-valentine-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe-2/