Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars
Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive and delicious treat perfect for spooky celebrations. Easy to prepare with simple ingredients, these bars combine a soft, chewy texture with vibrant Halloween-themed decorations to delight kids and adults alike. Whether for parties, gifting, or cozy seasonal enjoyment, these bars bring a perfect balance of sweetness and fun.
- Author: Kathy
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20-25 minutes
- Total Time: 35-40 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free (with gluten-free flour substitution)
Main Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Decorations
- Seasonal Halloween sprinkles
- Food coloring (optional)
- Halloween-themed candies (e.g., candy eyes, candy corn, black and orange sprinkles)
- Prepare the dough: Begin by creaming the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder, then gradually mix into the wet ingredients to form a soft dough.
- Spread the dough: Press the cookie dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8 or 9×9 inch baking pan. Use your hands or a spatula to create a flat, uniform surface that will bake evenly into bars.
- Add festive touches: Sprinkle the top with your chosen Halloween decorations such as colored sugar, sprinkles, or candy pieces. For color variations, gently swirl in food coloring to create fun patterns before baking.
- Bake to perfection: Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for about 20-25 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden brown. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before slicing into bars.
- Slice and serve: Once cooled, carefully cut the cookie slab into bars or squares, adjusting the size based on your event or preference. Serve at room temperature for the best texture.
Notes
- Soften your butter to room temperature for smooth creaming and better texture.
- Do not overmix the dough; mix just until combined to keep bars tender and avoid toughness.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
- Allow bars to cool completely before decorating further or slicing to prevent crumbling.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar (assuming 16 bars per batch)
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg
Keywords: Halloween sugar cookie bars, festive cookie bars, Halloween dessert, sugar cookie recipe, holiday treats, kid-friendly cookies