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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 thick, soft sugar cookie bars topped with a vibrant, glossy orange frosting. They come together in under 30 minutes of active time, making them perfect for Halloween parties, bake sales, or any fall celebration.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (226g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (300g) granulated sugar
  • 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 3 cups (360g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 4 oz (113g) cream cheese, softened (for frosting)
  • ¼ cup (57g) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 cups (240g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon orange extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
  • Orange gel food coloring
  • Optional: Orange zest for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line your 9×13-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving a little overhang on two opposite sides.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and softened cream cheese together until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer on medium speed.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
  5. Gradually add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing on low speed until just combined. The dough will be thick and slightly sticky.
  6. Transfer the dough to your prepared pan. Use a rubber spatula or your hands to press it into an even layer.
  7. Bake for 18-22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with just a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool completely in the pan on a cooling rack, about 45 minutes to an hour.
  9. While the bars are cooling, make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together until smooth and creamy.
  10. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating on low speed. Add the orange extract and 2 tablespoons of heavy cream. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add more cream if needed.
  11. Add a few drops of orange gel food coloring and mix until the color is even.
  12. Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula.
  13. Use the parchment paper handles to lift the entire slab out of the pan. Transfer to a cutting board and cut into squares or rectangles.

Notes

Don’t overbake the bars; they will continue to cook from residual heat. Use room temperature ingredients for best results. Let bars cool completely before frosting to prevent melting. Gel food coloring is recommended for vibrant color without thinning the frosting.

Nutrition

Keywords: Halloween, sugar cookie bars, orange frosting, easy dessert, fall baking, cream cheese frosting

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