Description
Delicious festive cookie bars with colorful frosting perfect for patriotic celebrations. These easy-to-make treats can be prepared in advance and customized with fun shapes using cookie cutters.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Red and blue food coloring
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and vanilla.
- Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until lightly golden. Cool completely.
- For the frosting, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla, beating until creamy.
- Divide frosting into three portions. Leave one white, color one red, and one blue.
- Spread the frosting in decorative patriotic patterns on the cooled cookie base.
- Refrigerate until set, then cut into bars or use cookie cutters for festive shapes.
Notes
- Make ahead: These cookie bars can be made 1-2 days in advance and stored in the refrigerator.
- For best results, let the cookie base cool completely before frosting.
- Use gel food coloring for more vibrant red and blue colors.
- Cut into stars or other patriotic shapes using cookie cutters for a festive presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baked
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 75mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
Keywords: patriotic dessert, cookie bars, red white and blue, fourth of july, party dessert
