Berry Sugar Cookie Bars
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
Equipment
Video
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
Nutrition
My friends call me Mad and you can too. Here you'll find easy, wholesome recipes, and designed to share with those you love.
Yes maam! I love baking so much 🙂 And I want to look into Sam Cook too!
This looks very delicious!
Can I use something else than sour cream?
This looks very delicious!
Can I use something else than sour cream?
This looks very delicious!
Can I use something else than sour cream?
Yes! You could use plain greek yogurt!
These bars look amazing!!!! Going to pop over to Hayley's blog right now (I'm loving her shoes!)
These bars look amazing!!!! Going to pop over to Hayley's blog right now (I'm loving her shoes!)
It's a great blog, you'll love it! 🙂
These look amazing! I was just eating strawberries and blueberries (minus the cookie) but I think next time we'll have to add some cookies into the mix. 🙂 I hope you have a happy Sunday! xo, gina
These look amazing! I was just eating strawberries and blueberries (minus the cookie) but I think next time we'll have to add some cookies into the mix. 🙂 I hope you have a happy Sunday! xo, gina
Adding cookies is always a good decision! 🙂
Those look so delish!
Those look so delish!
Thanks Kristin!
These look so good! I will have to try them!
These look AMAZING! I've recently discovered a love for soft sugar cookies! I might just have to make these for the 4th!
These look AMAZING! I've recently discovered a love for soft sugar cookies! I might just have to make these for the 4th!
These look AMAZING! I've recently discovered a love for soft sugar cookies! I might just have to make these for the 4th!
I love them too! I want to find new toppings for them too 🙂
Only 20 minutes for these cute bars? I'm definitely pinning this for later 🙂 For 4th of July, we do lots of fresh berries, light angel-food cake, and mimosas!
Only 20 minutes for these cute bars? I'm definitely pinning this for later 🙂 For 4th of July, we do lots of fresh berries, light angel-food cake, and mimosas!
I loove angel food cake! So good. An mimosas.. always mimosas 🙂
I LOVE recipes like this--we call these mini fruit pizzas 🙂 At a shower I hosted recently, we had a little bar where you could make your own and pile your toppings on! So fun and so delicious. This recipe looks divine...I think I'm going to have to whip it up this weekend!
I LOVE recipes like this--we call these mini fruit pizzas 🙂 At a shower I hosted recently, we had a little bar where you could make your own and pile your toppings on! So fun and so delicious. This recipe looks divine...I think I'm going to have to whip it up this weekend!
I love it! That's such a great idea, I love having bars at parties like that! 🙂
I had no idea how to approach this befroe-now I'm locked and loaded.
Those look uber yummy!! I love fresh strawberries and blueberries in summer!
Beckey http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenbsbusywork
Those look uber yummy!! I love fresh strawberries and blueberries in summer!
Beckey http://www.etsy.com/shop/queenbsbusywork
I do too! I ate a whole pint on my own this weekend.. Oops!
Yay, these look SO good- and like such a great option to make next week on the 4th! 🙂
Thanks for sharing this recipe Madison! I will let you know if I end up making them!
These look so good! I will have to try them!
These look so good! I will have to try them!
I hope you will 🙂
Great recipe! You should link up to Good Food Fridays! http://www.socalledhomemaker.com/2014/06/good-food-fridays.html
These look so good! I love making these too! Except I usually go the easy route and just get cookie dough from the story. I'll totally have to try this! So glad you linked up!
These look so good! I love making these too! Except I usually go the easy route and just get cookie dough from the story. I'll totally have to try this! So glad you linked up!
Oh, so smart. Why didn't I think of that! 🙂
Wow! Yum! These look phenomenal! Thanks for linking up!
Wow! Yum! These look phenomenal! Thanks for linking up!
Thanks Christina 🙂 They were so yummy!
I would love to have one of those cookie bars now! Pinning for later!
I would love to have one of those cookie bars now! Pinning for later!
🙂 I hope you'll make them sometime!
These sound and look so yummy!
Oh they are my friend! You should definitely try them 🙂
These look so delicious! I love the thought of fruit with sugar cookies!
These look so delicious! I love the thought of fruit with sugar cookies!
It's such a great idea i think! 🙂
so perfect for 4th of july!!
so perfect for 4th of july!!
I thought so too 🙂 Unfortunately they're all gone already, haha.
Yum! This looks similar to fruit pizza, which I love. But the individual bars are so cute and look a lot easier for parties.
Yum! This looks similar to fruit pizza, which I love. But the individual bars are so cute and look a lot easier for parties.
I need to make fruit pizza sometime, that sounds awesome!
these look delish! and perfect for the 4th weekend!
these look delish! and perfect for the 4th weekend!
They're just too easy! I think they'll be making an appearance often!
These look divine!! I've got to see if they will work with gluten free flour! We have Canada day on July 1st and our colors are red and white so I could just leave out the blueberries and be good to go!
These look divine!! I've got to see if they will work with gluten free flour! We have Canada day on July 1st and our colors are red and white so I could just leave out the blueberries and be good to go!
These look divine!! I've got to see if they will work with gluten free flour! We have Canada day on July 1st and our colors are red and white so I could just leave out the blueberries and be good to go!
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! 🙂
I'm serving these, I think! They look delish! 🙂
You should! Let me know if you do 🙂
YUM. Sugar cookie fruit bars are just the most delicious. Any desert with fruit in summer is perfect in my book.
Amen sista!
Oh my goodness! I MUST make these! They look great! 🙂
They are, trust me! 🙂
Great recipe! You should link up to Good Food Fridays! http://www.socalledhomemaker.com/2014/06/good-food-fridays.html
Great recipe! You should link up to Good Food Fridays! http://www.socalledhomemaker.com/2014/06/good-food-fridays.html
Yes! Lovely link up 🙂
Madison, you sure have been busy baking! It all looks great!
Hayley- I love needtobreathe so much! I will need to check out Sam Cook!
Madison, you sure have been busy baking! It all looks great!
Hayley- I love needtobreathe so much! I will need to check out Sam Cook!
Madison, you sure have been busy baking! It all looks great!
Hayley- I love needtobreathe so much! I will need to check out Sam Cook!
Yes maam! I love baking so much 🙂 And I want to look into Sam Cook too!