There’s something so comforting about sweet, buttery treats, and these Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe hit that spot perfectly. They’re soft, wonderfully tender, and topped with the creamiest frosting—it’s like sugar cookie magic, but in bar form. Plus, they couldn’t be easier to whip up!
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m a huge fan of desserts that are both simple and crowd-pleasing, and these Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe check both those boxes in a heartbeat. They’re perfect for when you want that classic cookie flavor without all the fuss of rolling dough and cutting shapes.
- Super Easy: No need to chill dough or cut out individual cookies—just mix, bake, and frost!
- Customizable Frosting: The easy frosting lets you play with colors and flavors for any occasion.
- Soft & Tender Texture: Enjoy bars that are delightfully chewy with just the right amount of crumb.
- Perfect for Sharing: These bars hold up well, making them great for potlucks, parties, or gift-giving.
Ingredients & Why They Work
The combination of simple pantry staples in this recipe results in cookie bars that have that classic sugar cookie vibe but with a vegan twist. I’ve found that using softened vegan butter carefully measured almond milk helps the dough come together smoothly without overpowering the flavor.
- Vegan butter: Provides richness and buttery flavor without dairy; make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens and adds slight crispness to the edges while keeping the bars tender inside.
- Almond milk: Adds moisture without heaviness and enhances the dough’s texture.
- Cornstarch: A little secret weapon to keep the bars extra tender and soft.
- Pure vanilla extract: Brings warmth and enhances the flavor complexity of the bars and frosting.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base; sift if you can for an even lighter texture.
- Baking powder & baking soda: Light leavening agents to give a subtle lift but keep them more bar-like than cakey.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and brightens the overall flavor.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for that silky, smooth frosting texture.
- Food coloring & sprinkles: Totally optional, but great for festive or fun presentations.
Make It Your Way
What I love most about this Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe is how easy it is to tweak. You can keep it classic or add your own flair — I've played around a lot over time, finding small touches that really elevate it.
- Variation: Sometimes I swap almond milk for oat milk for a creamier texture or add a bit of lemon zest to the dough for a citrus twist that pairs wonderfully with vanilla frosting.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe
Step 1: Soften the Vegan Butter and Mix Sugar
Start by letting your vegan butter sit out until it’s nice and soft but not melted—that’s key for smooth mixing. I usually leave it on the counter about 30 minutes. Once softened, beat it together with the granulated sugar until the mixture is fluffy and light; it takes around 2-3 minutes with a mixer. This is what gives your cookie bars that wonderful tender crumb.
Step 2: Blend in Almond Milk, Cornstarch, and Vanilla
Next, add the almond milk, cornstarch, and vanilla extract to the sugar-butter mix. These juicy little bits help keep the bars soft and flavorful. Give it a gentle mix just until combined — you don’t want to overwork the batter here.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Add to Wet
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Then slowly add this dry mixture to the wet ingredients. I usually fold it in gently with a spatula so the bars stay tender and avoid becoming dense.
Step 4: Bake & Prepare Frosting
Press the dough evenly into a lined 9x9-inch pan — here’s where using your hands works great to get a smooth surface. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 15 minutes until the edges are just golden. While it’s baking, whip up the frosting by beating the softened vegan butter with powdered sugar, vanilla, and almond milk until smooth. Add food coloring if you want that colorful touch.
Step 5: Frost and Garnish
Once the bars have cooled completely, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with your favorite vegan sprinkles to add fun texture and color. Then let them set for a few minutes so the frosting firms up a bit before slicing into squares.
Top Tip
I’ve baked these bars countless times, and a few simple tips really make the difference between good and wow-worthy results. These are my favorite go-to tricks to ensure success without stress.
- Softened Butter Is Key: If the vegan butter is too cold, the batter can turn lumpy, and the texture suffers. Patience here pays off!
- Don’t Skip Cornstarch: It’s what makes these bars tender and soft instead of tough like some vegan cookies can get.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Frosting a warm pan will melt it and cause it to slide off, so let the bars sit at room temperature until fully cooled.
- Use a Serrated Knife for Cutting: To keep those pretty edges and avoid dragging crumbs everywhere, a gentle sawing motion is your friend.
How to Serve Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe
Garnishes
I love finishing these bars with colorful vegan sprinkles — they bring a playful crunch and are perfect for birthdays or celebrations. Sometimes I dust a little edible glitter or press in chopped nuts for a grown-up look. It’s fun to get creative here because the frosting is like a blank canvas.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a cup of hot tea, a creamy plant milk latte, or even a bright, fresh fruit salad for a balance of textures. For holiday gatherings, I like to serve them alongside vegan hot cocoa — it’s the ultimate cozy combo.
Creative Ways to Present
For special occasions, I’ve arranged these bars on a tiered dessert tray with fresh edible flowers and herbs like mint or lavender. You can also cut them into festive shapes with cookie cutters after baking (before frosting), then frost them individually for a charming twist.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the frosting fresh. They stay delicious for up to 4 days—just let them come to room temperature before serving so they soften back up and taste freshly baked.
Freezing
Freezing these bars is a great option if you want to prep ahead. I like to freeze them unfrosted, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in a freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then frost right before serving for perfect freshness.
Reheating
If you want that freshly baked feel, warm a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds—just enough to soften it without melting the frosting. It makes the texture extra cozy and the flavors pop.
Frequently Asked Questions:
This particular recipe uses all-purpose flour, so it’s not gluten-free. However, you could experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that measures cup-for-cup—just be aware the texture might differ slightly depending on the blend you choose.
Absolutely! Any unsweetened plant-based milk like soy, oat, or coconut milk will work just fine. I tend to use almond or oat milk because they’re mild and don’t alter the flavor much.
To help the frosting hold up better in warm temperatures, try chilling it in the fridge for about 30 minutes before spreading it on the bars. You can also add a bit more powdered sugar to thicken it up.
Yes! The cookie bars actually keep very well without frosting. Bake and cool the bars, then cover and store them at room temperature or in the fridge. Add frosting right before you’re ready to serve for the freshest taste and look.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe feels like a secret weapon in my kitchen. It’s reliable, delicious, and just plain fun to make—and I’m pretty sure you’ll keep coming back to it, whether for weekday treats or special occasions. Give it a try and see how easily it wins people over, just like it did me!
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Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars with Easy Frosting Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 55 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
These Vegan Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a beautiful vegan-friendly pink buttercream frosting. Easy to make and perfect for any occasion or holiday, these bars offer all the classic flavors of sugar cookies in a convenient bar form.
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- ¾ cup vegan butter, softened to room temperature
- ¾ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons almond milk (or soy/oat)
- 1 tablespoon cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Buttercream Frosting
- 6 tablespoons vegan butter, softened to room temperature
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1-3 tablespoons almond milk
- Food coloring (vegan friendly)
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Cookie Dough: In a large mixing bowl, cream together ¾ cup vegan butter and ¾ cup granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Mix in 2 tablespoons almond milk, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In another bowl, whisk together 2 cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, ¼ teaspoon baking soda, and ½ teaspoon salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, stirring until a smooth dough forms. Avoid overmixing to keep the dough tender.
- Bake the Bars: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Spread the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for 15 minutes until edges are slightly golden and the center is set. Remove and let cool completely.
- Prepare the Buttercream Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 6 tablespoons vegan butter until creamy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and continue beating. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1-3 tablespoons almond milk to reach desired frosting consistency. Add food coloring and mix until evenly colored.
- Frost the Bars: Once the cookie bars are completely cooled, spread the vegan buttercream frosting evenly on top.
- Add Sprinkles and Serve: Decorate with vegan-friendly sprinkles as desired. Cut into 16 bars and serve.
Notes
- Ensure the vegan butter is softened to room temperature before mixing for smooth dough and frosting.
- You can substitute almond milk with soy or oat milk if preferred.
- Add more powdered sugar to the frosting if a thicker consistency is desired.
- Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- These bars can be customized with different food coloring and sprinkles to suit various holidays or celebrations.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 248 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 197 mg
- Fat: 10 g
- Saturated Fat: 3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 37 g
- Fiber: 0.4 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
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