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Best Easy Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars with Orange Frosting

Halloween sugar cookie bars - featured image
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These Easy Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars with Orange Frosting are the perfect solution for any last-minute baking panic. They’re quick, forgiving, and look like you spent way more effort than you actually did.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2 ¾ cups (345g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup (1 stick / 113g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups (360g) powdered sugar
  • 3–4 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • ½ teaspoon orange gel food coloring
  • ¼ cup Halloween sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Line your 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on the long sides.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together on medium speed for about 3 minutes until light, fluffy, and pale yellow.
  3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then add the vanilla extract and mix until combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to the wet mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  5. Transfer the dough to your prepared pan. Using your hands or a spatula, press it into an even layer.
  6. Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs.
  7. Let the bars cool in the pan on a wire rack for at least 30 minutes. Then, using the parchment overhang, lift the entire block of bars out of the pan and transfer to a cutting board. Let them cool completely—about 1 hour total.
  8. While the bars cool, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with the heavy cream. Beat in the vanilla and orange food coloring until you reach your desired shade.
  9. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars using an offset spatula. Immediately top with Halloween sprinkles.
  10. Use a sharp knife to cut the bars into squares. For clean cuts, wipe the knife clean between slices.

Notes

Don’t overbake—bars should look slightly underdone in the center when pulled out. Use room temperature ingredients for best texture. For cleaner cuts, chill frosted bars in the fridge for 20 minutes before slicing. Gel food coloring is recommended over liquid for vibrant color without thinning the frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, sugar cookie bars, orange frosting, easy dessert, party treat, cookie bars, fall baking

Find it online: https://dahliadishes.com/best-easy-halloween-sugar-cookie-bars-with-orange-frosting/