Sourdough Sugar Cookie Bars

Sourdough sugar cookie bars with vanilla frosting are a breeze to make and consistently steal the show at any party!

Customize the sprinkles for the perfect dessert to celebrate the holidays or any special occasion.

 

These irresistible sourdough cookie bars have a soft and chewy texture with a hint of tanginess from the addition of sourdough starter.

Just like our sourdough graham crackers for s'mores, sourdough chocolate chip cookies, and sourdough thumbprint cookies, they are easy to make and sure to satisfy your sweet cravings.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced baker, this recipe is simple to follow and guarantees delicious results. Give it a try and enjoy these delightful treats!

Ingredients needed to make sourdough sugar cookie bars

For the cookie dough you will need:

• all-purpose flour
• sourdough starter discard
• butter
• sugar
• eggs
• vanilla extract
• salt and baking powder

For the frosting you will need:

• room temperature butter
• powdered sugar
• vanilla extract
• heavy cream

How to make sourdough sugar cookie bars

Before you start, prepare an 8" x 8" baking tin by lining it with parchment paper. For easier handling, crumple the parchment paper first to make it more pliable, then smooth it out and line the baking dish.

If you plan to bake the cookie bars right away, transfer the oven rack to the center position and preheat your oven to 350°F (176°C).

Step 1: Make the cookie dough

This step can be done with an electric hand mixer, a stand mixer, or a stiff spatula.

In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to blend the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes or until they achieve a light and fluffy consistency. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and sourdough starter discard, and continue to beat the mixture until all the wet ingredients are thoroughly combined.

Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt with the wet ingredients and continue mixing them until the batter just comes together.

Take a spatula and scrape the sides of the bowl to ensure that all the ingredients have been thoroughly combined.

Step 2: Bake

Evenly distribute and press the cookie dough into the bottom of the tin. To prevent the dough from sticking to your hands, apply a light dusting of flour.

If you don't plan on baking the cookies immediately, cover the dough and store it in the refrigerator for a maximum of three days.

Place the cookies in the oven and bake them for approximately 15-18 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center emerges clean. The surface of the cookie bars should be a light golden color.

Take the tin out of the oven and transfer it to a wire cooling rack. Let the cookie bars cool down entirely in the tin before applying the frosting.

Step 3: Make the frosting

Combine the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, heavy cream, and butter in a bowl and use an electric mixer to beat them together until a smooth and creamy consistency is achieved.

In case the frosting is too thick, gradually add a teaspoon of heavy cream at a time until the desired consistency is reached.

On the other hand, if the frosting is too thin, incorporate a few tablespoons of powdered sugar and mix well to adjust the consistency accordingly.

Step 4: Decorate

Use an offset spatula to generously spread the frosting, making sure to coat every inch. Lastly, top it with a variety of sprinkles for a finishing touch.

Once you are ready to serve the sourdough sugar cookie bars, use the parchment paper to help lift the cookie bar out of the tin and cut it into squares.

This recipe yields 9 generously sized sourdough sugar cookie bars or 18 smaller bars. Whether you prefer larger portions or smaller bites, you have the flexibility to adjust accordingly.

Customize

Whether you're making these sugar cookie bars for the holidays or a special occasion, personalize the sprinkles to suit the theme or mood of your celebration.

Today we are celebrating the Fourth of July so we chose a red, white, and blue color scheme.