Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert Recipe

If you’re looking for the ultimate festive treat for your summertime celebration, look no further than these Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert. These bars combine the soft, chewy charm of classic sugar cookies with a buttery cream cheese frosting and a generous sprinkle of red, white, and blue. Each bite is bursting with patriotic flair and party-worthy flavor, making them a surefire hit for Independence Day festivities or any occasion that needs a sweet splash of color and fun.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The beauty of these Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert is in their simplicity. Each ingredient is thoughtfully chosen to create perfect flavor, cheerful colors, and that irresistible soft texture. Here’s everything you’ll need, plus tips for making them truly spectacular:

• Salted butter (1 stick for bars, 1 stick for frosting): Adds richness and flavor to both bar and frosting. Softened butter blends best, making everything fluffy.
• Granulated sugar (1 cup): Gives the cookie bars sweetness and that signature sugar cookie chew.
• Large egg (1): Binds everything together and adds needed moisture.
• Vanilla extract (2 tsp total): Warm, sweet depth that ties both bar and frosting together. Real vanilla makes a difference!
• All-purpose flour (2 cups): The sturdy backbone of the cookie bars, providing structure without being heavy.
• Baking powder (1 tsp): Just enough to give a gentle lift and a light texture.
• Patriotic sprinkles (1/4 cup, jimmies): The festive pop of color! Jimmies are perfect because their colors don’t bleed—ideal for a clean, star-spangled look.
• Powdered sugar (2 cups): The secret to a silky-smooth, fluffy frosting.
• Cream cheese (3 tbsp, softened): A touch of tang balances the sweet frosting and makes it extra creamy.
• Milk (2 tbsp): Adjusts the frosting’s consistency to be perfectly spreadable.
• Extra red, white, and blue sprinkles: Because there’s no such thing as too many sprinkles when you’re celebrating!

How to Make Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert

Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven

Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). To make life easy when it’s time to serve, line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This ensures your Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert come out neat, intact, and Instagram-ready.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This step adds air, ensuring your bars will be tender with every bite.

Step 3: Add Egg and Vanilla

Crack in the egg and pour in the vanilla extract. Beat again until everything is combined and silky-smooth—these little additions create that classic sugar cookie richness you know and love.

Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour and baking powder. This prevents lumps and ensures the baking powder is evenly distributed for a uniform rise.

Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Mixes

Slowly add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, stirring gently until just combined. Overmixing can make the bars tough, so stop as soon as no flour pockets remain.

Step 6: Stir in Sprinkles

Now for the fun part: gently fold in those bright patriotic sprinkles. This step is what gives your  Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert their fireworks-like burst of color!

Step 7: Spread and Bake

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan. Use a spatula or clean hands to press it into an even layer, reaching all the corners. Bake for 20-22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden but the center is still pale—perfect for soft, chewy bars.

Step 8: Cool the Bars

Once baked, remove the pan from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan. This patience will prevent the frosting from melting and keep the texture just right.

Step 9: Whip Up the Frosting

To make the dreamy cream cheese frosting, beat together the powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk in a bowl. The result should be fluffy, smooth, and easy to spread.

Step 10: Frost and Decorate

Spread the frosting generously over your cooled bars, getting a thick even layer. Finish with a big handful of extra red, white, and blue sprinkles—it’s time to let your patriotism (and dessert) shine!

Step 11: Slice and Serve

Using the parchment as a sling, lift the bars from the pan and place on a cutting board. Slice into clean squares and get ready for the “oohs” and “aahs!” Your Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert are ready for the party.

How to Serve Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert

Garnishes

For an extra-celebratory touch, sprinkle a few more red, white, and blue jimmies or stars on top right before serving. If you want to go all-out, add a tiny American flag toothpick or dollop of whipped cream—these little flourishes make your  Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert pop off the plate!

Side Dishes

Balance all that sweet goodness with a big bowl of fresh berries—strawberries and blueberries echo the colors and add a refreshing bite. Lemonade, iced tea, or a fruity punch will keep the patriotic party vibes going strong alongside your cookie bars.

Creative Ways to Present

Slice your bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them on a tiered dessert stand, or stack them on a patriotic platter for a playful look. Wrap individual Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert in clear treat bags for party favors your guests can take home. You can even use a star-shaped cookie cutter for whimsical, cookie-bar stars!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Stash leftover cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature if you plan to enjoy them within 2 days. For up to a week of freshness, pop them in the fridge; the frosting stays silky and the bars remain perfectly chewy.

Freezing

If you’d like to prep ahead, freeze your unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic and foil for up to 2 months. Add frosting and sprinkles after thawing for best results and the freshest look. You can also freeze fully frosted and decorated bars, but wait until serving day to add any extra sprinkles so they don’t bleed their color.

Reheating

These are best served at room temperature, but if you prefer a slightly warm cookie bar, pop a single piece in the microwave for just 5-10 seconds. The cookie will be ultra-soft and the frosting just a touch melty—totally irresistible!

FAQs

Can I make  Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert gluten-free?

Absolutely! Use your favorite cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour. Double-check that your baking powder and sprinkles are gluten-free too, and you’re set.

What if I don’t have salted butter?

No problem! Use unsalted butter and add a pinch (about 1/4 teaspoon) of salt to the dough and frosting to balance the sweetness. Your Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert will still taste heavenly.

Can I double this recipe for a bigger crowd?

Yes, simply double all the ingredients and bake in a 9×13-inch pan. Watch the baking time—it may need a few extra minutes, so check for light golden edges as your doneness cue.

Why did my sprinkles bleed?

If your cookie bars turned a little streaky, the most likely culprit is non-jimmie sprinkles or overmixing the dough. Stick with jimmies and gently fold them in for sharp, distinct color bursts every time.

How far in advance can I frost the bars?

You can frost your Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert up to a day before serving. Just store them in the fridge to keep the frosting firm and vibrant, adding another sprinkle shower just before presenting if you want extra pizzazz.

Final Thoughts

There’s just something magical about gathering friends and family together with a tray of these Cookie Bars – Easy 4th of July Dessert. They’re as joyful to make as they are to share, and always spark big smiles with their festive colors and classic, irresistible flavor. Give them a whirl at your next celebration—you’ll be hooked from the very first bite!

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