There’s something absolutely comforting about biting into a soft, buttery bar that's bursting with classic sugar cookie flavors. These Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe bring all that joy without the fuss of rolling cookies. Trust me, they’re a game changer for easy, crowd-pleasing treats.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
Whenever I need a sweet treat that’s fuss-free but still feels special, I reach for this Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe. It hits all the right notes with a tender crumb and a luscious, creamy frosting that always gets compliments.
- Simple Prep: No rolling or cutting — just mix, press, and bake, perfect when you want home-baked cookies without the kitchen chaos.
- Customizable Frosting: You can tint and flavor the frosting any way you like — I especially love adding a touch of almond extract or fun sprinkles.
- Vegan Friendly: It proves that you really don’t miss the dairy or eggs in classic sugar cookies.
- Perfect For Any Occasion: From casual snacks with coffee to festive holiday treats, these bars fit right in.
Ingredients & Why They Work
These ingredients come together beautifully to create a soft, crumbly cookie base with the perfect hint of sweetness. Each one plays a little role — and knowing why makes it easier to swap a few things if you’re in a pinch.
- Vegan butter: Using quality plant-based butter really makes a difference in flavor and texture, so try not to substitute margarine here.
- Granulated sugar: It provides that classic sugar cookie sweetness and structure.
- Almond milk (or soy/oat): Helps bind everything together while keeping it dairy-free.
- Cornstarch: Key for giving these bars their soft, almost melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Pure vanilla extract: Essentials for that warm, inviting cookie flavor.
- All-purpose flour: The base of the cookie — if you want a gluten-free version, try a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend.
- Baking powder & baking soda: A little lift for the bars to keep them from being too dense.
- Salt: Just a pinch enhances all the flavors.
- Powdered sugar: For the frosting, it creates that smooth, sweet, creamy finish.
- Food coloring (vegan friendly): Fun to make your frosting pop visually for parties or special occasions.
- Sprinkles: Adds a playful crunch and color right on top.
Make It Your Way
I love when recipes let you add your own spin, and this Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe does exactly that. Whether I’m feeling a little extra with flavors or want to make it simpler, it’s easy to adapt.
- Variation: I like stirring in some lemon zest into the dough or swapping vanilla for almond extract to give the frosting a slightly nutty note — it’s a total crowd-pleaser.
- Dietary modification: For gluten-free, a 1:1 baking flour works well; just watch the texture as you may need to adjust liquids.
- Seasonal changes: In fall, adding cinnamon or pumpkin spice to the batter really makes these bars feel like cozy autumn magic.
- Difficulty Level: This recipe is beginner-friendly — no fancy techniques, just straightforward mixing and baking.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Mix the Cookie Base
Start by creaming together the softened vegan butter and granulated sugar until it’s light and fluffy—this can take about 3-4 minutes with a hand mixer. This step is key for that soft, tender crumb. Then add the almond milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract and mix until combined. Slowly add the dry ingredients—flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt—and mix on low until just combined. Don’t overmix here; you want to keep that tender texture.
Step 2: Press and Bake
Press the dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 8x8 inch pan. I find using the bottom of a glass or your hands works best for an even layer. Then bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes or until the edges start to turn golden. Keep an eye close to avoid overbaking—these bars should stay soft and slightly pale.
Step 3: Prepare the Frosting
While the bars cool, whip up the frosting by beating the softened vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Then add almond milk, a tablespoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency. This frosting is luscious and fluffy, perfect for slathering on generous! Stir in a few drops of your favorite vegan food coloring if you want to get fancy here.
Step 4: Frost and Decorate
Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Then sprinkle your favorite vegan sprinkles to add that pop of fun color and texture. I love how these colorful toppings turn it into an instant party treat!
Top Tip
Having made this Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe dozens of times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference between so-so and absolutely delicious.
- Soften Butter Properly: Make sure your vegan butter is really soft but not melted—that’s key for a smooth dough and frosting.
- Don’t Overbake: The bars continue to cook a bit after you pull them out. Taking them out when they’re just set keeps them tender.
- Frost While Cool: Wait until bars are fully cooled before frosting; otherwise, your frosting could melt and slide off.
- Use Parchment Paper: It makes removing your bars from the pan a breeze and keeps their edges nice.
How to Serve Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep garnishes simple with rainbow vegan sprinkles or some edible glitter for a touch of sparkle. On festive occasions, colored sanding sugar on top adds such a nostalgic charm. Fresh berries on the side can also make for a lovely contrast.
Side Dishes
These bars pair wonderfully with a hot cup of tea or a creamy oat milk latte. For parties, I often serve alongside a fresh fruit platter or vegan whipped cream for dipping.
Creative Ways to Present
For birthdays or showers, I like to cut them into smaller bite-sized squares on a pretty tray lined with decorative parchment paper. Giving each a tiny swirl of frosting piped with a star tip before adding sprinkles makes them look super special.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the fridge for about a week if you want them to last longer. I personally prefer the slightly chilled version because the frosting firms up delightfully.
Freezing
Freezing works wonderfully! I slice the bars into individual portions and store them in a single layer in an airtight container with parchment paper between layers. When I’m ready, I thaw them overnight in the fridge.
Reheating
If you want to enjoy these with a fresh-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds—perfect for softening the frosting slightly without melting it completely.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Almond, soy, oat, or even cashew milk work well here. I’ve found that unsweetened varieties keep the sweetness balanced, but feel free to use what you have on hand.
You can swap in a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend for the all-purpose flour. Just keep in mind that the texture might be slightly different and could need a touch more almond milk for moisture.
Make sure your bars are completely cooled before frosting, and keep the finished bars refrigerated if your kitchen is warm. Using softened but not melted vegan butter in the frosting helps maintain its structure.
Yes! These bars keep well stored at room temperature or refrigerated, and the frosting holds up nicely too. You can also freeze them to enjoy later with minimal loss of quality.
Final Thoughts
This Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe is one of those gems I always come back to—it’s just so satisfying and flexible. Whether you're baking for friends, family, or just because, these bars bring that homemade hug everyone appreciates. Give this recipe a try and enjoy every buttery, sweet bite!
Print
Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars feature a soft, buttery texture with a sweet pink vegan buttercream frosting. Easy to prepare and perfect for customizing with vegan-friendly food coloring and sprinkles, they make a delightful treat for any holiday or special occasion.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- ¾ cup vegan butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons almond milk (or soy/oat)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons almond milk
- vegan-friendly food coloring
- sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
- Make the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup softened vegan butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 tablespoons almond milk and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, mixing until combined. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mixing until a soft dough forms.
- Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and press evenly into the bottom to form a smooth surface.
- Bake the Bars: Bake for 15 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Prepare the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 6 tablespoons softened vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar, beating until smooth. Mix in 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 to 3 tablespoons almond milk to reach desired consistency. Add vegan-friendly food coloring as desired and mix until evenly colored.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the prepared buttercream evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Decorate with vegan-friendly sprinkles as desired.
- Chill and Serve: Chill the frosted bars in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes to set the frosting. Use the parchment overhang to lift the bars out of the pan and cut into 16 squares. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Use almond, soy, or oat milk to keep the recipe vegan and creamy.
- Ensure vegan butter is softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Customize with any vegan-friendly food coloring and sprinkles to suit holidays or occasions.
- Make sure to cool the bars completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Store bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 248 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 197 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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