Description
A delightful and festive dessert inspired by the traditional King Cake, these King Cake Sugar Cookie Bars are an easy and delicious treat decorated in vibrant colors.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or sprinkles for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Cream together softened butter and granulated sugar in a large bowl until light and fluffy.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon.
- Gradually combine the dry ingredients with the wet ingredients without overmixing.
- Spread the dough evenly in the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center is set.
- Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth for the icing.
- Spread the icing over the cooled cookie base.
- Sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugar over the icing.
- Allow icing to set for approximately 30 minutes before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Ensure not to overbake the cookie base for a soft texture.
- Feel free to customize the decorative patterns with the sanding sugars.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg