Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Celebrate Halloween with these delightful Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars. They feature a soft, buttery cookie base topped with festive orange frosting and creepy candy decorations, perfect for parties or a seasonal treat.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted, softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• Orange gel food coloring
• Spooky sprinkles
• Halloween eyeball candies

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil. Set aside.
2. Step 2: In a large bowl, cream together the 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy.
3. Step 3: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter mixture and mix until combined.
4. Step 4: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients just until the flour mixture disappears.
5. Step 5: Spread the cookie batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 15 minutes. The center may look slightly undercooked, but the bars will finish baking as they cool.
6. Step 6: While the bars bake, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl, whip the softened 4 tbsp butter and powdered sugar together until combined.
7. Step 7: Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract to the frosting and whip until light and fluffy.
8. Step 8: Mix in orange gel food coloring to achieve your desired shade.
9. Step 9: Once the bars have cooled, spread the orange frosting evenly over the top.
10. Step 10: Decorate with spooky sprinkles and Halloween eyeball candies. Slice and serve immediately for softer frosting, or chill for a firmer finish.

Tips & Variations

• For a stronger almond flavor, add a bit more almond extract, but use sparingly to avoid overpowering the vanilla.
• Use salted butter for the frosting to balance the sweetness, or unsalted butter if you prefer full control over saltiness.
• Try different food coloring shades or seasonal sprinkles to customize for other holidays or themes.
• Chill the bars before slicing to get cleaner pieces and prevent the frosting from smearing.

Storage

Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week. If refrigerated, allow bars to come to room temperature before serving, or enjoy chilled for a firmer frosting texture.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular food coloring instead of gel?

Yes, but gel food coloring provides more vibrant color without thinning the frosting. If using regular liquid food coloring, add it sparingly to avoid altering the frosting consistency.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum for best results. The texture might vary slightly but should still be delicious.

Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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These Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive treat perfect for the Halloween season. Featuring a soft and chewy sugar cookie base topped with creamy, orange-colored frosting and decorated with spooky sprinkles and Halloween eyeball candies, these bars are sure to be a hit at any party or gathering.

• Author: Dylan
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Total Time: 30 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Layer

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 2 tbsp brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup all purpose flour
• 3 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting

• 4 tbsp butter (salted or unsalted, softened)
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 3 tbsp heavy cream
• Orange gel food coloring
• Spooky sprinkles
• Halloween eyeball candies

Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, setting it aside for later.
2. Make the cookie dough: In a large bowl, cream together 1/2 cup butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the egg, optional almond extract, and vanilla extract, mixing to combine thoroughly.
3. Combine dry ingredients: Gently mix the baking powder, salt, cornstarch, and all-purpose flour into the wet ingredients just until the flour mixture is barely incorporated to avoid overmixing.
4. Bake the cookie base: Spread the cookie batter evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 15 minutes. The center may look slightly underbaked, but the bars will continue to set as they cool.
5. Prepare the frosting: While the base bakes, whip the softened 4 tbsp butter and powdered sugar together until combined. Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, whipping until the mixture is light and fluffy.
6. Add color to frosting: Mix in orange gel food coloring until the frosting achieves a vibrant orange hue suitable for Halloween.
7. Frost and decorate: Once the cookie bars have cooled, spread the orange frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with spooky sprinkles and Halloween eyeball candies to enhance the festive look.
8. Serve or chill: Slice and serve immediately if you prefer a softer frosting texture, or chill the bars to allow the frosting to set firmly before enjoying.

Notes

• For best results, use room temperature butter for both the cookie dough and frosting to ensure smooth mixing and fluffy frosting.
• You can omit the almond extract if you prefer just vanilla flavor.
• Use a gel-based food coloring for a vibrant color that doesn’t affect frosting consistency.
• Ensure the cookie base is fully cooled before frosting to prevent melting.
• Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Keywords: Halloween sugar cookie bars, Halloween dessert, sugar cookie bars, spooky treats, holiday baking, festive desserts