If you have a sweet tooth and love the comforting flavor of vanilla, you are going to fall head over heels for this Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe. Imagine the classic sugar cookie experience, but in an irresistibly soft, buttery bar form that’s perfectly frosted with a luscious vanilla bean frosting. Each bite offers a melt-in-your-mouth combination of delicate vanilla bean specks, tender crumb, and creamy sweetness that makes it impossible to stop at just one. Whether you’re baking for a special occasion or simply craving a cozy treat, these bars will steal the show every single time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make these Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe, you only need a handful of simple, classic ingredients that shine individually and work together harmoniously. Each item plays a crucial role in creating the perfect texture, flavor, and appearance of these bars.
- Unsalted butter: Provides richness and a tender crumb, both in the cookie bars and frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps achieve the classic sugar cookie texture.
- Large egg: Binds the ingredients and contributes moisture.
- Vanilla bean paste: The star ingredient that infuses deep, aromatic vanilla flavor throughout.
- All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure to the cookie bars.
- Baking powder: Lightens the dough gently for a soft yet sturdy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the flavors and balances the sweetness.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for a smooth, sweet frosting that melts on your tongue.
- Heavy cream or milk: Adds creaminess and helps achieve a spreadable frosting consistency.
How to Make Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Pan and Preheat the Oven
Begin by preheating your oven to 350°F and lining a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leaving an overhang on the sides will make it super easy to lift out the cookie bars once they’re baked. This simple step sets you up for success and keeps cleanup hassle-free.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This is where the magic begins, as the aeration adds structure and tenderness to your cookie bars, helping them bake up perfectly soft.
Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla Bean Paste
Next, beat in the large egg along with the fragrant vanilla bean paste. Don’t be shy with the vanilla bean paste — it’s what delivers those delightful flecks and that rich vanilla aroma that truly sets this recipe apart from everyday sugar cookies.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of rising agents and seasoning, which is key for a consistent texture and balanced flavor in your bars.
Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Over-mixing can lead to tough bars, so keep it light and mix only until everything is incorporated into a smooth dough.
Step 6: Press Dough and Bake
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan using your hands or the back of a spoon. A uniform layer ensures even baking. Place it in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges show a subtle golden hue and the center is set but still soft. Let the pan cool completely before frosting.
Step 7: Make the Vanilla Bean Frosting
While your cookie base cools, whip up the frosting by beating softened butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream or milk, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt. Beat everything together until the frosting is light, fluffy, and spreadable.
Step 8: Frost and Slice
Spread your luscious vanilla bean frosting generously over the cooled cookie bars. Cut into 24 squares and prepare yourself for sweet, buttery perfection in every bite!
How to Serve Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
These bars are beautiful on their own, but adding sprinkles or edible glitter can bring a festive flair perfect for birthdays or holidays. A light dusting of finely chopped nuts or white chocolate shavings can also elevate the flavor and add a pleasant crunch that complements the creamy frosting.
Side Dishes
Pair your Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with vanilla bean frosting with a simple cup of aromatic coffee, black tea, or a cold glass of milk. For brunch or dessert, fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream on the side offer a refreshing contrast that’s dreamy and delicious.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, arrange the bars on a decorative platter with edible flowers for a springtime gathering. You can also cut them into bite-sized squares and serve on appetizer trays as elegant finger treats. Adding colorful frosting swirls or piping designs using the vanilla bean frosting can turn these bars into a party centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, keep any leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay fresh and moist for up to three days, making them perfect for baking ahead when you want to impress without last-minute fuss.
Freezing
If you want to save your cookie bars for longer, freeze them uncut in the pan with plastic wrap covering the surface. Once frozen, you can cut bars as needed. The cookie bars and frosting freeze well for up to a month without sacrificing taste or texture.
Reheating
If you prefer them slightly warm, gently warm individual bars in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. This softens the frosting slightly and brings out that fresh-baked aroma before enjoying your Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe all over again.
FAQs
Can I substitute vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste?
You can use vanilla extract, but the intense flavor and delightful vanilla specks come from vanilla bean paste, which gives this recipe its unique appeal. If you use extract, expect a slightly less rich vanilla profile.
How long do these cookie bars keep fresh?
Stored in an airtight container at room temperature, these cookie bars will remain fresh for about three days. After that, texture may start to change, but freezing them can prolong their freshness.
Can I make these cookie bars gluten-free?
With a suitable gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, you can definitely adapt this recipe. Just be sure your blend includes xanthan gum or another binder to maintain the bars’ structure.
What if I don’t have heavy cream for the frosting?
You can use milk as a substitute, although the frosting may be slightly less rich and creamy. Adjust quantity to get the desired consistency.
Is it possible to add food coloring to the frosting?
Absolutely! A few drops of food coloring can transform the frosting for themed celebrations or holidays, making these bars even more festive and fun to serve.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend the Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe enough. It’s that rare dessert that feels both nostalgic and elegantly sophisticated, plus it’s straightforward to make. Once you try these bars, they’ll quickly become a staple in your baking rotation — perfect for treating yourself, impressing guests, or gifting loved ones. Go ahead and bake up a batch today; your sweet tooth will thank you!
Print
Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Bean Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these Vanilla Bean Sugar Cookie Bars topped with a luscious vanilla bean frosting. Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars infused with real vanilla bean are baked to perfection and layered with a creamy, fluffy frosting for a classic American dessert that’s perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
For the cookie bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or seeds from 1 vanilla bean)
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste
- pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang for easy removal.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, ensuring the mixture is well aerated.
- Add egg and vanilla: Mix in the egg and vanilla bean paste until the mixture is smooth and fully combined.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and salt.
- Mix dough: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking the dough.
- Press dough into pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the surface for uniform baking.
- Bake: Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but not browned.
- Cool completely: Allow the cookie bars to cool fully in the pan to firm up before frosting.
- Make the frosting: Beat the softened butter in a bowl until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla bean paste, and a pinch of salt, continuing to beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
- Frost the bars: Spread the vanilla bean frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Serve: Slice into 24 bars and serve. Enjoy your delicious vanilla bean sugar cookie bars!
Notes
- Add sprinkles on top for a festive touch or incorporate a few drops of food coloring into the frosting for themed occasions.
- Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
