Description
Sweet romance blooms with Valentine’s Sugar Cookie Cake Bars, a delightful dessert perfect for sharing intimate moments. Creamy, rich layers melt together, promising pure indulgence that sparks connection between dessert enthusiasts seeking love on a plate.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 cups flour
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 large eggs
- 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 sticks (226 grams) unsalted butter, room temperature
Flavoring and Seasoning Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- Pinch of salt
Decorative and Liquid Ingredients:
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons (60 milliliters) milk
- 57 drops red gel food coloring
- Nonpareils for decorating
Instructions
- Transform the butter into a creamy consistency using an electric mixer, ensuring a smooth base for the cookie bars.
- Incorporate eggs one at a time, thoroughly blending after each addition to create a uniform mixture.
- Infuse the batter with aromatic vanilla extract, mixing until fully integrated.
- Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda in a separate vessel to eliminate potential lumps and ensure even distribution.
- Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to maintain a light, airy texture.
- Lightly dust hands with flour to prevent sticking, then carefully spread the dough evenly across a prepared baking sheet.
- Position the pan in a preheated oven at 375ºF, baking for 12-15 minutes until the edges turn golden but the center remains soft.
- Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Whip the butter until it reaches a silky, pale consistency.
- Blend in vanilla extract and a pinch of salt to enhance the frosting’s flavor profile.
- Gradually sift powdered sugar into the mixture, beating until smooth and creamy.
- Introduce milk incrementally, adjusting until the frosting achieves a spreadable consistency.
- Carefully add red food coloring, creating a delicate pink hue that speaks to the romantic theme.
- Once the cookie bars have cooled, generously spread the pink frosting across the surface.
- Sprinkle nonpareils over the frosted bars, adding a festive and whimsical touch to the Valentine’s Day treat.
Notes
- Softening butter at room temperature ensures smoother mixing and better cookie bar texture.
- Using room temperature eggs helps create a more uniform dough and prevents ingredient separation.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the cookie bars tender and prevent a tough, dense texture.
- Chilling the dough for 30 minutes before spreading can help prevent excessive spreading during baking.
- For gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Reduce sugar by 25% if you prefer less sweetness without compromising the recipe’s structure.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant frosting color without adding extra liquid.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days to maintain freshness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 24
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 55 mg