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Easy Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars: Best Budget-Friendly Recipe

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These Easy Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars are a budget-friendly, no-fuss treat perfect for Halloween parties. With a soft, buttery texture and creamy frosting, they come together in about 35 minutes without any rolling or cutting.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour (spoon and leveled)
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • Orange and black food coloring (gel preferred)
  • ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Pinch of salt (for frosting)
  • Orange gel food coloring (optional, for frosting)
  • Halloween sprinkles (for decoration)
  • Candy eyeballs (optional, for decoration)

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on the long sides. Lightly grease the parchment with cooking spray.
  2. Melt the butter and let it cool for about 5 minutes.
  3. In a large bowl, whisk together the melted butter and sugar until well combined. Add eggs one at a time, whisking after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
  5. Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, stirring with a spatula until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Divide the dough in half. Leave one half plain. Add orange gel food coloring to the other half and stir until evenly colored.
  7. Spread the plain dough evenly into the prepared pan. Dollop the orange dough on top and gently spread it out. For a marbled look, swirl with a knife.
  8. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and center looks set but still soft. A toothpick inserted in center should come out with a few moist crumbs.
  9. Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack (about 45 minutes to 1 hour).
  10. While bars cool, make frosting: In a medium bowl, beat softened butter with an electric mixer until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating on low. Add milk, vanilla, and salt, then beat on medium-high for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. Add orange gel food coloring if desired.
  11. Once bars are completely cool, lift them out using parchment overhang. Spread frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with Halloween sprinkles and candy eyeballs immediately.
  12. Let frosting set for about 15 minutes before cutting into bars. Cut into 24 squares.

Notes

Don’t skip the parchment paper—it makes lifting the bars out easy. For best texture, pull bars out when center still looks slightly underdone; they will set as they cool. If dough is too sticky, lightly wet fingers with water to spread. Bars can be made a day ahead; flavor improves after a day. Store in airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween sugar cookie bars, easy sugar cookie bars, budget-friendly Halloween treats, soft sugar cookie bars, Halloween dessert

Find it online: https://gleamgulp.com/easy-halloween-sugar-cookie-bars-best-budget-friendly-recipe/