Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate the love in your life than with a sweet treat? These Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars are perfect for sharing with friends, family, or someone special. Soft, chewy, and covered in colorful sprinkles, these bars are a delightful spin on traditional cookies. They not only bring cheerful vibes to any gathering but also pack that nostalgia you crave during the holiday.

Table of Contents

Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Ingredients You’ll Need
How to Make Valentine Sugar Cookie Bar Recipe
Storing & Reheating
Chef’s Helpful Tips
Recipe FAQs
Valentine Sugar Cookie Bar

The best part? This recipe is incredibly simple—and fast! With just a handful of ingredients and a few easy steps, you’ll have a delicious dessert ready to impress. Plus, when you present a lovingly made treat like this to your loved ones, it shows you care. So put on your favorite apron, gather your supplies, and let’s make these Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars together!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple & Quick: Whip these up in just 10 minutes of prep time—not to mention they bake in just 15-20 minutes!
Irresistible Flavor: Buttery, sweet, and utterly satisfying, these bars have that classic sugar cookie taste with a sprinkle of fun.
Eye-Catching Appeal: Bright Valentine sprinkles and candy hearts make these bars not just tasty but visually stunning too.
Flexible Serving: Perfect for parties, dessert tables, or an afternoon sweet treat. They’re delightful anytime!
Diet-Friendly Options: Easily adaptable for gluten-free flour if you want to please diverse dietary needs.

Ingredients You’ll Need

1 cup white granulated sugar: This is the sweet base of our bars. Feel free to substitute with coconut sugar for a healthier option.
½ cup butter, room temperature: Butter makes the base rich and flavorful. You can use margarine if you’re looking for a dairy-free version.
2 large eggs: Essential for binding the ingredients and adding moisture. Room temperature eggs yield a fluffier bar.
1 tsp vanilla extract: Provides warm, sweet notes. If you want a twist, almond extract is a lovely substitute.
2 cups all-purpose flour: The main structure component, which gives the bars their chewy texture. For gluten-free, use a 1:1 baking flour.
1 tsp baking soda: This leavening agent creates a fluffy, soft cookie; don’t skip it!
¼ tsp salt: Enhances the sweetness; it’s balance 101.
2 tbsp Valentine sprinkles: Adds festive flair right into the dough!
1 tub Duncan Hines white frosting: Store-bought makes it easy; however, homemade frosting can enhance flavor.
¼ cup Valentine sprinkles: Used for topping; colorful and fun, making each bite festive!
1 tbsp candy hearts and/or red M&Ms: These add a pop of color and taste—mix and match as you please!

Preheat oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. This ensures even baking right from the beginning.

Prepare pan: Line the bottom of a square 8-inch x 8-inch non-stick baking pan with parchment paper. This is key for easy removal and cleanup later!

Mix dry ingredients: In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking soda, and ¼ tsp salt. Mix them together to combine.

Add wet ingredients: Now, add in ½ cup room temperature butter, 2 large eggs, and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Mix until a soft dough forms. When mixing, don’t overmix; stop as soon as everything is combined.

Fold in sprinkles: Gently fold in 2 tbsp of Valentine sprinkles to add some fun color and festivity right inside the dough.

Spread in pan: Evenly spread the dough into your prepared baking pan. Use a spatula to smooth the top, ensuring you reach all corners.

Bake: Pop it into the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes. You’ll want to take them out when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean—keep an eye on the edges; they should be just lightly golden.

Cool completely: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This is crucial, as it helps them set properly.

Frost: Prepare your frosting while they cool. Once cool, use the back of a spoon or butter knife to spread the Duncan Hines white frosting generously over the top.

Decorate: Finish by topping the bars with ¼ cup of Valentine sprinkles and 1 tbsp of candy hearts or red M&Ms for that extra festive flair.

Cut: Once decorated, cut into 2-inch bars for serving. They’re ready to be devoured!

Storing & Reheating

You can store these Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars at room temperature for up to 3 days in an airtight container. If you need to keep them longer, refrigerate them for up to a week. For even longer storage, freeze the bars in a single layer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them, simply thaw overnight in the fridge and allow them to come to room temperature before serving. Note that freezing might slightly alter the texture but they’ll still taste delicious.

Chef’s Helpful Tips

Ensure your butter is truly at room temperature for the best creaming results. Cold butter can lead to dense bars.
Take care not to overbake; keep a close eye on the bars as they approach the 15-minute mark.
If you want a thicker frosting, consider making your own buttercream instead of using store-bought options.
Customize your sprinkles! You can use themed mixes or even your favorite chocolate candies for a unique twist.
If the bars seem too sticky to cut, refrigerate them for about 30 minutes to make slicing easier.
These bars can be made a day ahead—just frost right before serving to keep things fresh!

These Valentine Sugar Cookie Bars truly shine as the sweet centerpiece for your celebration. Each bite blends nostalgia with a fun twist that will bring a smile. Feel free to get creative with your decorations, or even experiment with flavors. Whether it’s a casual family gathering or a romantic evening, make these bars a staple in your Valentine’s Day tradition. Enjoy making them—and relishing in the joy they bring!

Recipe FAQs

Can I make these bars ahead of time?

Absolutely! You can bake the bars a day in advance and frost them just before serving for the freshest taste.

Can I use different types of sprinkles?

Of course! Feel free to swap out the Valentine sprinkles with any other themed sprinkles you have on hand. The more colorful, the better!

What if I want to make this gluten-free?

You can easily substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour mix. Just be sure to check the package for any additional leavening agent adjustments.

Can I freeze the sugar cookie bars?

Yes! These bars freeze well. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap, then place in an airtight container for up to 3 months. They will still be delicious once thawed, although the texture may vary slightly.

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Author: Anna
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: NO DATA
Total Time: 0 hours
Yield: 16 1x
Category: Desserts & Appetizers
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

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Description

This Valentine Sugar Cookie Bar features a delightful combination of buttery, sweet cookie dough topped with colorful sprinkles and a creamy frosting that makes it perfect for any celebration. It’s simple to recreate and is sure to please friends and family!

Ingredients

Scale

1 cup white granulated sugar
½ cup butter room temperature
2 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
2 tbsp valentine sprinkles
1 tub duncan hines white frosting
¼ cup valentine sprinkles
1 tbsp candy hearts and/or red m&ms

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Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Line the bottom of a square 8 inch x 8 inch non-stick baking pan with parchment paper.
In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the sugar, flour, baking soda, and salt.
Add the butter, eggs, and vanilla to the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms. Stir in the Valentine sprinkles.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean. Allow to cool completely.
Prepare the frosting and decorating ingredients.
Use the back of a spoon or a butter knife to spread the frosting over the top of the cooled cookie bar.
Sprinkle the top with more Valentine sprinkles and add candy hearts or red M&Ms.
Cut into 2-inch bars for serving.

Notes

Make sure to allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
Feel free to customize the toppings with your favorite sprinkles or candies!
Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.