If you’re looking for a dessert that’s both festive and incredibly easy to make, these Green Sugar Cookie Bars are your new best friend! Soft, chewy, and topped with dreamy green frosting, they offer all the joy of classic sugar cookies without the fuss of rolling and cutting. Whether you’re planning a St. Patrick’s Day party or just want to brighten a random Tuesday, these colorful cookie bars bring smiles and a pop of color to any table.

Green Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

The magic of these Green Sugar Cookie Bars lies in how simple yet essential the ingredients are. Each element contributes something special—flavor, texture, vivid color—to create a bar that’s irresistibly soft and sweet every time.

Unsalted butter (1 cup, softened): Gives the bars their rich, melt-in-your-mouth texture and perfectly creamy frosting.
Granulated sugar (1½ cups): Sweetens the bars and helps create that iconic cookie crumb.
Large egg (1): Adds structure and richness to the dough.
Large egg white (1): Helps keep the bars soft and slightly chewy.
Vanilla extract (1 tablespoon): Boosts flavor for that classic sugar cookie taste.
Almond extract (½ teaspoon, optional): Adds a subtle, magical note—skip it if you prefer pure vanilla.
Green food coloring: The secret to the hug-in-a-bar vibrant look—add as much or as little as you like!
All-purpose flour (2½ cups): The sturdy foundation for perfectly thick bars.
Baking powder (½ teaspoon): Helps the bars puff up just enough for a soft bite.
Salt (½ teaspoon): Balances the sweetness and ties the flavors together.
For the Frosting:
Unsalted butter (½ cup, softened): Makes your frosting ultra-smooth and luscious.
Powdered sugar (2 cups): Sweetens and thickens your dreamy green topping.
Heavy cream or milk (1½ tablespoons): Gives the frosting just the right amount of fluffiness.
Vanilla extract (1 teaspoon): Adds a familiar warmth to the frosting.
Pinch of salt: Cuts the sweetness so your frosting never tastes flat.
Green food coloring: Matches your frosting to those gorgeous bars!
Sprinkles (optional): For a fun, festive finish—totally up to you!

How to Make Green Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper (for easy lifting and clean-up!) or lightly grease it. That way, your bars will release with zero fuss and hold their gorgeous shape.

Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is wonderfully light and fluffy. You want to beat some air in at this stage—think pale and pillowy, which makes your bar base extra tender.

Step 3: Add Eggs, Vanilla, Almond, and Color

Crack in the whole egg and egg white, then pour in the vanilla extract, optional almond extract, and a few generous drops of green food coloring. Mix well, watching as the dough turns that perfect shade of green you love—add more coloring if you want a bolder look!

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures every bite has even lift and flavor, with no clumps hiding in your dough.

Step 5: Finish the Dough

Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until a soft, even dough forms. It should look gorgeously green and feel thick but not sticky—ideal for pressing into your pan.

Step 6: Press and Bake

Scrape the dough into your prepared pan, then gently press it into an even layer (your hands or a spatula work great here!). Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, just until the edges are golden and the center is set. The magic here is in not overbaking—these bars are best when just cooked through, keeping every bite moist and soft.

Step 7: Cool Completely

Let the bars cool fully in the pan. This gives them time to firm up, making slicing and frosting a total breeze.

Step 8: Make the Dreamy Green Frosting

For the final flourish, beat the softened butter for the frosting until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk, vanilla, a pinch of salt, and more green food coloring. Beat until light, fluffy, and spreadable—feel free to adjust the green tint to your liking!

Step 9: Frost, Decorate, and Slice

Once the bars are cool, spread the green frosting all over the top. Shower with festive sprinkles if you’re in the mood, then simply slice into neat squares and get ready for raves.

How to Serve Green Sugar Cookie Bars

Garnishes

The simplest way to take these bars from great to gorgeous is with a happy cascade of colorful sprinkles. Edible glitter or a drizzle of white chocolate also adds that extra-special flair, especially for parties or celebrations.

Side Dishes

Pair Green Sugar Cookie Bars with cold milk, hot cocoa, or a creamy latte for a dreamy treat. They also shine beside bowls of fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream, especially for summery gatherings.

Creative Ways to Present

If you want to wow your guests, cut the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters, or stack them tall on a tiered dessert stand. Tiny squares work perfectly for party platters, and you can even wrap individual bars in cellophane for sweet homemade gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

To keep your Green Sugar Cookie Bars fresh and moist, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. The frosting stays luscious, and the texture just gets even softer overnight.

Freezing

These bars are freezer-friendly! Simply layer them with parchment in a freezer-safe container, and they’ll keep for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving, and they’ll taste as good as the day you made them.

Reheating

While Green Sugar Cookie Bars are best enjoyed at room temperature, you can give cold bars a quick 10-second zap in the microwave for a just-baked texture. If frozen, let them thaw completely before enjoying or reheating.

FAQs

Can I make Green Sugar Cookie Bars in advance?

Absolutely! In fact, these bars are even better when made a day ahead, as the flavors meld and the frosting sets beautifully. Just store them covered until you’re ready to serve.

Do I need to use almond extract?

No worries if you’re not a fan of almond—it’s optional. Vanilla alone will give you a delicious, classic sugar cookie flavor, so just leave out the almond extract if you prefer.

Can I use gel instead of liquid food coloring?

Yes! Gel food coloring packs a bigger punch, so you’ll need less to get that bright green color. This is a great way to achieve bold, vivid Green Sugar Cookie Bars without adding extra liquid to your dough.

What other colors can I try?

Feel free to play around! Swap green for any hue that suits your occasion—red for Valentine’s Day, orange for Halloween, or pastels for baby showers. The base recipe is versatile and always tasty.

How do I cut perfect squares without sticking?

For clean, crisp edges, use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts. Chilling the bars before slicing can also help give you those bakery-worthy squares!

Final Thoughts

There’s truly nothing like a batch of homemade Green Sugar Cookie Bars to lift everyone’s spirits and bring a smile to any celebration. Whether you’re baking with kids, surprising coworkers, or treating yourself, these soft, frosted bars are pure joy in every bite. Give them a try, and don’t be surprised if they quickly become a favorite tradition in your kitchen too!

Green Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.5 from 25 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 35 minutes (plus cooling time)
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

Print Recipe

Description

These Green Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive twist on classic sugar cookies. Soft and chewy bars topped with creamy green frosting, they are perfect for holidays or themed parties.

Ingredients

Scale

For the Cookie Bars:

1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
1½ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 large egg white
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
Green food coloring
2½ cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
2 cups powdered sugar
1½ tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Green food coloring
Sprinkles (optional)

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat the oven to 350°F and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan.
Mix the cookie dough: Cream butter and sugar, add eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and green food coloring. Mix in dry ingredients.
Bake: Press dough into pan and bake for 18-22 minutes until golden.
Make the frosting: Beat butter, add powdered sugar, cream, vanilla, salt, and food coloring. Spread over cooled bars.
Serve: Cut into squares, top with sprinkles if desired, and enjoy!