If you need an easy shareable dessert, these funfetti sugar cookie bars are perfect! Make a batch and then you'll have a yummy treat to share with friends.
Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
I've always been obsessed with funfetti cupcakes. They're by far one of my favorite cupcakes. So it's not really surprising that I would come up with a way to make funfetti cookie bars.
These soft sugar cookie bars are light, chewy and loaded with fun confetti sprinkles. They're not overly sweet — just the perfect balance of sugary goodness! And frosting and sprinkles are the final cherry on top.
I've always loved making funfetti cookie bars because it's faster than drop cookies. I can frost them super quickly and with very minimal effort. No piping bag required!
In fact, I just love cookie bars period. M&M cookie bars are delish and are what inspired me to come up with funfetti sugar cookie bars. Making all of the fun recipes in an easily shareable bar form is just a must!
The only problem with these cookie bars is that you have to share them. I kind of wish I could eat them all myself!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
My favorite desserts are cupcakes and cookies, so there's dozens of reasons why I love this recipe:
- Funfetti cookie bars perfect for sharing. They're great for birthday parties, summer get togethers, or just because you feel like making yummy cookies!
- Making these cookies from scratch is much better than using a funfetti cake mix. You can be sure you know exactly what's in the dough and that it doesn't have any unwanted ingredients.
- If you don't eat food dyes, making your own funfetti cookie bars allows you to choose your colorful sprinkles! You can find ones made without artificial dyes.
Ingredients
This easy cookie bar recipe uses simple ingredients. Here's a list of what you need for the cookie bars and the frosting:
Cookie Bar Ingredients
- all-purpose flour
- baking powder
- salt
- softened butter
- granulated white sugar
- egg
- egg white
- sour cream
- vanilla extract
- rainbow sprinkles
Funfetti Frosting Ingredients
- softened butter
- powdered sugar
- heavy cream
- vanilla extract
- rainbow sprinkles
Substitutions and Variations
You can use a gluten-free 1:1 flour substitute, such as King Arthur Measure for Measure Flour, to make this recipe without gluten.
Plain Greek yogurt can be used in place of sour cream if you prefer. You can also use salted or unsalted butter in this recipe. If you use salted, you may need to adjust the salt called for in the cookies.
While heavy cream makes the creamiest frosting, you can use half and half or some whole milk if that's all you have on hand. It's just to help thin out the frosting to a spreadable consistency.
To make a flavored frosting, use different extract. Almond extract would make a nutty flavor, and things like strawberry extract can add fruit flavor. Aside from different flavors, you can also just make different sweet frosting. A cream cheese frosting would be delicious!
How to Make Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars
Ready to make this easy dessert recipe? Then let's get started:
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and then grease a 9x9 inch pan and set it to the side. You can also line the pan in parchment paper.
Combine all purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium-sized bowl. Then in a separate bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together butter and sugar at medium speed until fluffy.
Add the egg, egg white, sour cream and vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture and beat together.
Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Fold in the colorful sprinkles, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
Press the dough into the bottom of the previously prepared baking pan. Then bake the funfetti sugar cookie bars for 18-20 minutes until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick can be inserted in the center and come out clean.
Transfer the cookie bars to a wire rack so that they can cool completely.
Make the Frosting
Top these soft and chewy cookie bars with the most delicious vanilla buttercream frosting. Here are step by step instructions on how to make it:
Beat together the butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla extract in medium bowl with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
Once blended and smooth, spread over the cooled cookie bars. Then top with rainbow sprinkles as the finishing touch.
Use a sharp knife to cut the cookies in 9 to 12 bars. Serve and enjoy!
How to Store Leftover Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars
Leftovers are best stored in an airtight container. Keep them at room temperature for 2-3 days, or in the fridge for about 5 days. You can also freeze frosted or unfrosted bars. Place in an airtight container or freezer safe plastic bag and freeze for 2-3 months. Allow to thaw before consuming.
Tips for Success
Make the best of the best cookie bars by following these few simple tips:
- I'm a firm believer that a high-quality all purpose flour makes all the difference. So I recommend grabbing a good flour to make the best funfetti cookies possible.
- Room temperature eggs mix into cookie dough much more easily than cold eggs. So let the egg and egg whites come to room temp before adding to the wet ingredients.
- Scrape the side of the bowl with a rubber spatula so that all of the flour and butter gets mixed into the cookie dough.
FAQ
Using egg whites and an egg helps keep these cookie bars soft and chewy. It's also important to make sure that the dough is moist enough! Sour cream is my secret ingredient to keeping the cookies perfectly moist.
It is not necessary to refrigerate these cookie bars, unless you use a different frosting. If you decide to make a cream cheese frosting, then you'll need to keep leftover cookies in the fridge.
More Cookie Recipes
If you make and love this recipe, please leave a ★★★★★ review below! It means so much to me when you try my recipes, and I'd love to know how it goes. Please leave a comment below if you have any questions.
Funfetti Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
Ingredients
Cookie Bars
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup butter softened (1 stick)
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg white
- 1 egg white
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 tablespoons sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles
- ⅓ cup rainbow sprinkles
Icing
- ¼ cup butter softened
- ¼ cup butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- rainbow sprinkles for decoration
- rainbow sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
For Cookies
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Line a 9x9-inch pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
- Combine flour, baking powder and salt in a medium mixing bowl.
- In a medium bowl or stand mixer, beat ½ cup butter and sugar at medium speed with an electric mixer until fluffy.
- Add egg, egg white, sour cream and vanilla extract. Beat until blended.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, beating at low speed until just combined.
- Press dough into the bottom of the pan.
- Bake 18 to 20 minutes or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in center comes out clean; cool on a wire rack.
For The Frosting
- For the frosting, beat ¼ cup butter, powdered sugar, whipping cream and vanilla with a mixer until blended and smooth.
- Spread over baked, uncut sugar cookie bars.
- Decorate top with more rainbow sprinkles.
- Cut into 9 or 12 bars to serve.
Sam @ The Culinary Compass says
Oh I've never made my own Funfetti! Sounds great!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast says
I've got a hankering for an afternoon snack. This recipe sounds dangerous! I could eat the whole pan.
Rachel says
These look delicious! I know what I'm making with my sisters the next time they're over 🙂
Madison Wetherill says
You totally should! They're so easy to make.
chelsea jacobs says
These look so delicious!!
Jenna @ A Savory Feast says
Way to set off a preggo craving! Now I want these SO BAD. 😉
Christine says
These look so delicious!