This is one of my all time favorite desserts. I’ve made it so many times, I should know it by heart. I originally posted this recipe waaaay back in 2014 and I wanted to revive it since this blog has changed so much since then. Enjoy new photos and even a how-to video for these delicious All-American Sugar Cookie Bars!?
I’ve always been a huge lover of dessert. The ironic thing is that I’m not a huge fan of heavy, chocolatey desserts.
Even if you look at some of the other dessert recipes I’ve shared on the blog, they have something in common. They’re light and usually fruity. Whenever we go get frozen yogurt, I usually get vanilla with fruit and granola.
So when I first made these sugar cookie bars topped with fresh fruit, I knew I had found my perfect dessert.
Another favorite patriotic dessert we love are these Patriotic Star Cupcakes.
These sugar cookie bars are light and fresh with the fruit on top. They may even be light enough to indulge in two 😉
Best part about this recipe? It only takes 20 minutes to bake which means they’re perfect to whip together for an event.
I love using fresh fruit and not even needing any added sugar on the fruit because of the icing on the cookies.
When I make these for guests, I sprinkle some chocolate chips on half of them, in case they’re not big into fruity desserts.
The toppings are really pretty customizable. But it’s so refreshing to get a big bite of berries on every sugar cookie bar.
With July 4th coming up, this recipe is a must for your barbecues or parties. You can pull off this recipe in under an hour, homemade icing included.
Need other July 4th recipe ideas? My friend Erin at The Speckled Palate has a whole post of Red White and Blue Appetizers she put together that I think is just fantastic!?
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Planning to hang out with someone on July 4th? Share this recipe with them and convince them they need to make it! You’ll be happy you did.
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
All-American Sugar Cookie Bar
All-American Sugar Cookie Bars, the perfect patriotic dessert! Light cookie bars topped with homemade icing and fresh strawberries and blueberries. Celebrate American with this festive dessert!
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter, softened (1 stick)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 ½ teaspoons vanilla, divided
Icing:
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9x9 pan.
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- Beat ½ cup butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed until blended. Add egg, egg white, sour
- Cream and 2 teaspoons vanilla; beat until blended.
- Press dough in bottom of pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden and toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool on a wire rack.
- For frosting, beat ¼ cup butter, powdered sugar, whipping cream and remaining teaspoon vanilla with mixer until blended and smooth.
- Spread over baked uncut sugar cookie bars. Decorate top as desired with fresh berries.
- Cut into bars to serve. Makes 9 servings.
Notes
If you won't be serving/eating these berries in the same day, do not top all of the cookie bars with berries. Top only the ones you are serving immediately.
If desired, you can use this same recipe in a 9x13 pan for less thick bars.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 9Amount Per Serving: Calories: 0Total Fat: 0g
Madison says
Yes! Lovely link up 🙂
Madison says
They are, trust me! 🙂
Madison says
Amen sista!
Madison says
You should! Let me know if you do 🙂
Madison says
Yeah I’d love to know if they do! I didn’t know there was a Canada Day, so awesome that it’s so close to July 4th for us! 🙂
Madison says
They’re just too easy! I think they’ll be making an appearance often!
Madison says
I need to make fruit pizza sometime, that sounds awesome!
Madison says
I thought so too 🙂 Unfortunately they’re all gone already, haha.
Madison says
It’s such a great idea i think! 🙂
Madison says
Oh they are my friend! You should definitely try them 🙂
Madison says
🙂 I hope you’ll make them sometime!
Madison says
Thanks Christina 🙂 They were so yummy!
Madison says
Oh, so smart. Why didn’t I think of that! 🙂
Madison says
I hope you will 🙂
Madison says
I do too! I ate a whole pint on my own this weekend.. Oops!
Madison says
I love it! That’s such a great idea, I love having bars at parties like that! 🙂
Madison says
I loove angel food cake! So good. An mimosas.. always mimosas 🙂
Madison says
I love them too! I want to find new toppings for them too 🙂
Madison says
Thanks Kristin!
Madison says
Adding cookies is always a good decision! 🙂
Madison says
It’s a great blog, you’ll love it! 🙂
Madison says
Yes! You could use plain greek yogurt!
Erin says
Madison, these cookies are GORGEOUS! Seriously, girl, I think ANYONE would love some of these for the Fourth, and I’ve pinned this recipe to try!
This is one of my favorite recipes from last week’s #thatsfreshfriday link-up! I’ll be sharing it on my blog tomorrow evening, and I hope to see you back there again this week sharing again. Happy (early) July 4th, and keep up the great work!
Madison says
Ahh! Thanks Erin. I love being featured on That’s Fresh Friday! I will definitely be sharing again 🙂 Happy 4th!!
Erin says
Madison, these cookies are GORGEOUS! Seriously, girl, I think ANYONE would love some of these for the Fourth, and I’ve pinned this recipe to try!
This is one of my favorite recipes from last week’s #thatsfreshfriday link-up! I’ll be sharing it on my blog tomorrow evening, and I hope to see you back there again this week sharing again. Happy (early) July 4th, and keep up the great work!
Michelle Nahom says
I’ve never tried to make anything like this! These look absolutely delicious! Thanks for linking them up with us at Foodie Fridays…they are perfect for this weekend!
Madison says
Oh they are just so yummy!
Michelle Nahom says
I’ve never tried to make anything like this! These look absolutely delicious! Thanks for linking them up with us at Foodie Fridays…they are perfect for this weekend!
Madison says
Ahh! Thanks Erin. I love being featured on That’s Fresh Friday! I will definitely be sharing again 🙂 Happy 4th!!
Madison says
Oh they are just so yummy!
Meg says
This looks delish! Thanks for linking up for Good Food Friday!!!
Meg says
This looks delish! Thanks for linking up for Good Food Friday!!!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Commenting again years later because oh my goodness, THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL! And that video! Well done, Madison!
Meghan @ Cake 'n Knife says
I love love looooooove sugar cookies and the frosting/berry combo on top is ideal for summer! So festive!
Susannah // Feast + West says
Madison, these look sooooo good! I have a summer party coming up that I want to make them for!
Kate says
I have to admit something – I don’t really like chocolate. There, I said it!
These looks like just the thing for me!
Julie says
Wonderful recipe. I added fresh lemon juice to the icing instead of vanilla. Light and refreshing dessert
Madison | A Joyfully Mad Kitchen says
Great idea! I’ll try that next time 🙂