Berry Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect summer treat! Light cookie bars topped with homemade icing and fresh strawberries and blueberries are a fun and festive dessert in the summer or you can top them with candy or sprinkles for an anytime treat.
2018 update: 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 Berry Sugar Cookie Bars!
2022 update: You guys love this recipe so I updated it again with more tips and tricks.
Berry Sugar Cookie Bars recipe
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, like this No-Bake Strawberry Cream Pie or Mini Lemon Cheesecakes. 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. They are perfect in every single way.
Topped with a not-too-sweet icing, these sugar cookie bars are light and fresh with the fruit on top. They may even be light enough to indulge in two!
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.
Love sugar cookies? Try these Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars.
Why you will love this recipe
The 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. You could also use some fun sprinkles for the kiddos.
The toppings are really pretty customizable. But it's so refreshing to get a big bite of berries on every sugar cookie bar.
Ingredients
Here's what you will need to pick up at the grocery store to make this easy sugar cookie bar recipe:
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- unsalted butter
- sugar
- eggs
- sour cream
- vanilla extract
Then there's the creamy frosting. For that, you will need these items:
- unsalted butter
- powdered sugar
- heavy cream
- vanilla extract
Sugar cookie bar toppings
For summer holidays, I like to use fresh fruit, like blueberries and strawberries. It's so festive and cute! But you can make this recipe with other fun toppings.
- lime or lemon zest
- chopped nuts like pistachios or peanuts
- mini chocolate chips
- sprinkles (use different color combinations for different holidays!)
- chocolate shavings
- other fruit like raspberries, blackberries or cherries
- chopped candies (peanut butter cups, M&M's or Snickers)
How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars
Making this recipe is pretty easy! If you can bake cookies, you can make these bars. Promise! Here's what to do:
- First, preheat your oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9x9-inch pan and set it aside. (If desired, you can use this same recipe in a 9x13 pan for thinner bars.)
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl. Stir to combine.
- In a medium bowl, beat butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy. (You can use a stand mixer if you prefer.)
- Add the egg, egg white, sour cream and vanilla extract, and beat until blended.
- Gradually add the flour mixture, beating at low speed until just combined. Don't overmix.
- Press dough into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
- Then, make the frosting. Beat butter, powdered sugar, cream and vanilla extract with a mixer until blended and smooth.
- Spread over baked uncut sugar cookie bars. Decorate the top as desired. Cut into bars to serve. Makes 9 servings.
If you won't be serving or eating these cookie bars in the same day you make them, do not the bars with berries. Top only the ones you are serving immediately.
Madison's Pro Sharing Tip:
Here are a few ways to make these berry sugar cookie bars shareable:
- Double the batch and bring half to your neighbor.
- Cut them into smaller pieces and take them to a playdate with the kids.
- Set up a dessert bar at a party with several bowls of toppings for people to create their own.
More summer dessert recipes
- Double Berry Patriotic Star Cupcakes
- Peach Raspberry Mini Pies
- No Bake Whipped Cream Pies
- M&M Cookie Bars (make them with red, white & blue M&M's!)
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!
Berry Sugar Cookie Bars
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 teaspoons vanilla
Icing:
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 1 cup sliced fresh strawberries
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
Instructions
For the cookie bars
- Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9x9-inch pan.
- In a small bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt in a bowl.
- In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat ½ cup butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add egg, egg white, sour cream and vanilla extract. Beat until blended.
- Gradually add flour mixture, beating at low speed until just combined.
- Press dough into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool on a wire rack.
For the frosting
- For the frosting, beat ¼ cup butter, powdered sugar, whipping cream and vanilla with a mixer until blended and smooth.
- Spread over baked, uncut sugar cookie bars. Decorate top as desired with fresh berries.
- Cut into 9 or 12 bars to serve.
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 thinner bars.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 12 Serving Size: 1 barAmount Per Serving: Calories: 371Total Fat: 14gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 4gCholesterol: 52mgSodium: 213mgCarbohydrates: 58gFiber: 1gSugar: 37gProtein: 4g
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 🙂
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!
Susannah // Feast + West says
Madison, these look sooooo good! I have a summer party coming up that I want to make them for!
Meghan @ Cake 'n Knife says
I love love looooooove sugar cookies and the frosting/berry combo on top is ideal for summer! So festive!
Erin @ The Speckled Palate says
Commenting again years later because oh my goodness, THESE ARE BEAUTIFUL! And that video! Well done, Madison!
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!!!
Madison says
Oh they are just so yummy!
Madison says
Ahh! Thanks Erin. I love being featured on That's Fresh Friday! I will definitely be sharing again 🙂 Happy 4th!!
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!
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!
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!
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!!
Madison says
Yes! You could use plain greek yogurt!
Madison says
It's a great blog, you'll love it! 🙂
Madison says
Adding cookies is always a good decision! 🙂
Madison says
Thanks Kristin!
Madison says
I love them too! I want to find new toppings for them too 🙂
Madison says
I loove angel food cake! So good. An mimosas.. always mimosas 🙂
Madison says
I love it! That's such a great idea, I love having bars at parties like that! 🙂
Madison says
I do too! I ate a whole pint on my own this weekend.. Oops!
Madison says
I hope you will 🙂
Madison says
Oh, so smart. Why didn't I think of that! 🙂
Madison says
Thanks Christina 🙂 They were so yummy!
Madison says
🙂 I hope you'll make them sometime!
Madison says
Oh they are my friend! You should definitely try them 🙂
Madison says
It's such a great idea i think! 🙂
Madison says
I thought so too 🙂 Unfortunately they're all gone already, haha.
Madison says
I need to make fruit pizza sometime, that sounds awesome!
Madison says
They're just too easy! I think they'll be making an appearance often!
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
You should! Let me know if you do 🙂
Madison says
Amen sista!
Madison says
They are, trust me! 🙂
Madison says
Yes! Lovely link up 🙂