Name: Easter Cookie Bars: Easy Recipe & Festive Ideas
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 60 min
Yield: 24-32 cookie bars
Ingredients: 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened; 1 ½ cups granulated sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 3 cups all-purpose flour; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ½ teaspoon salt; 1 cup sour cream; ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups powdered sugar; ¼ cup milk; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Food coloring (gel or liquid), various Easter colors; Easter-themed sprinkles; Mini chocolate eggs; Jelly beans; Shredded coconut (optional)

Easter cookie bars: Prepare to hop into spring with a dessert that's as delightful to look at as it is to eat! Imagine a symphony of soft, chewy cookie dough swirled with pastel colors and studded with your favorite Easter candies. These aren't just cookies; they're a celebration baked into every single bite.

While the exact origins of cookie bars are debated, their popularity exploded in the mid-20th century as a convenient and crowd-pleasing alternative to individual cookies. They offer the same comforting flavors and textures, but with significantly less effort. Think of them as the ultimate shortcut to happiness, especially during busy holidays like Easter!

What makes Easter cookie bars so irresistible? It's the perfect combination of textures – the soft, slightly gooey cookie base contrasted with the satisfying crunch of chocolate eggs and sprinkles. The vibrant colors instantly evoke the joy and renewal of springtime, making them a visual centerpiece for any Easter gathering. Plus, they're incredibly easy to customize with your preferred candies and decorations, allowing you to create a truly unique and personalized treat. Get ready to bake up a batch of these festive bars and watch them disappear in minutes!

Ingredients:

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 ½ cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup sour cream

Frosting:

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
¼ cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (gel or liquid), various Easter colors

Toppings:

Easter-themed sprinkles
Mini chocolate eggs
Jelly beans
Shredded coconut (optional)

Instructions:

Preparing the Cookie Bar Dough:

Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This usually takes about 3-5 minutes. Make sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl occasionally to ensure everything is evenly mixed. This step is crucial for a tender cookie bar!
Incorporate the eggs and vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Then, stir in the vanilla extract. The mixture should be smooth and well combined.
Combine dry ingredients: In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Whisking ensures that the baking powder and baking soda are evenly distributed throughout the flour, which will help the cookie bars rise properly.
Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the sour cream, beginning and ending with the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. Be careful not to overmix the dough, as this can result in tough cookie bars. Overmixing develops the gluten in the flour, which can make the bars dense and chewy instead of soft and tender. I usually add about a third of the dry ingredients, then half of the sour cream, then another third of the dry ingredients, the remaining sour cream, and finally the last of the dry ingredients.
Chill the dough: Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. This step is important because it allows the gluten to relax and the butter to firm up, which will prevent the cookie bars from spreading too much in the oven. Chilling also makes the dough easier to handle. You can chill the dough for longer, even overnight, if needed.

Baking the Cookie Bars:

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
Prepare the baking pan: Grease and flour a 9x13 inch baking pan. You can also line the pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides, for easy removal of the cookie bars after baking. This is my preferred method because it makes cleanup a breeze!
Press the dough into the pan: Press the chilled dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use your fingers or the back of a spoon to spread the dough to the edges of the pan. If the dough is sticking to your fingers, you can lightly flour them.
Bake the cookie bars: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean or with a few moist crumbs. Keep a close eye on the cookie bars while they are baking, as baking times can vary depending on your oven.
Cool completely: Remove the baking pan from the oven and let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan before frosting. This is important because if you try to frost the cookie bars while they are still warm, the frosting will melt and become runny.

Preparing the Frosting:

Cream the butter: In a large bowl, or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
Gradually add powdered sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the butter, mixing on low speed until combined. Be sure to add the powdered sugar slowly to prevent it from creating a cloud of dust!
Add milk and vanilla: Add the milk and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency. If the frosting is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar.
Divide and color the frosting: Divide the frosting into separate bowls, depending on how many colors you want to use. Add a few drops of food coloring to each bowl and mix well until the desired color is achieved. I like to use gel food coloring because it is more concentrated and doesn't add as much liquid to the frosting.

Decorating the Cookie Bars:

Frost the cookie bars: Once the cookie bars are completely cool, frost them with the colored frosting. You can use a spatula, a knife, or a piping bag to apply the frosting. I like to use a piping bag with a large round tip for a smooth and even layer of frosting.
Add toppings: Immediately sprinkle the frosted cookie bars with Easter-themed sprinkles, mini chocolate eggs, jelly beans, and shredded coconut (if using). The frosting will set quickly, so it's important to add the toppings right away so they will stick.
Cut and serve: Cut the cookie bars into squares or rectangles and serve. These cookie bars are best enjoyed within a few days of baking, but they can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week.

Conclusion:

So there you have it! These Easter cookie bars are more than just a dessert; they're a celebration baked into every single bite. From the vibrant colors to the chewy texture and the explosion of sweet flavors, they're guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser. I truly believe this recipe is a must-try this Easter season, and here's why: it's incredibly easy to make, even for beginner bakers. The ingredients are readily available, and the process is straightforward, meaning you can whip up a batch in no time, leaving you more time to enjoy the holiday with your loved ones. Plus, the customizable nature of these bars allows you to tailor them to your specific tastes and preferences.

Serving Suggestions and Variations:

Now, let's talk about how to best enjoy these delightful Easter cookie bars. They're fantastic served warm, straight from the oven, with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. The contrast between the warm, gooey bar and the cold, creamy ice cream is simply divine! Alternatively, you can let them cool completely and cut them into neat squares for a more portable treat. They're perfect for packing in lunchboxes, bringing to potlucks, or gifting to friends and neighbors.

But the fun doesn't stop there! Feel free to experiment with different variations to make these bars your own. Try using different types of chocolate chips, such as dark chocolate or white chocolate, for a richer or sweeter flavor. Add a handful of chopped nuts, like pecans or walnuts, for a bit of crunch. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, swirl in a spoonful of peanut butter or Nutella for an extra layer of decadence. For a truly festive touch, consider adding a drizzle of melted white chocolate and topping it with colorful sprinkles. You could even use different Easter-themed candies, like mini chocolate eggs or jelly beans, to create a truly unique and eye-catching dessert. If you want to make them even more special, you can use a cookie cutter to cut them into fun Easter shapes like bunnies or eggs after they've cooled.

I'm confident that once you try this recipe, it will become a staple in your Easter baking repertoire. It's the perfect way to add a touch of sweetness and joy to your holiday celebrations. The beauty of these bars lies in their simplicity and versatility. You don't need to be a master baker to create something truly delicious and memorable. The most important ingredient is love, and I know that you'll pour plenty of that into every batch you make.

So, what are you waiting for? Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and get ready to bake up a batch of these irresistible Easter cookie bars. I can't wait to hear about your experience! Please, share your photos and stories with me in the comments below. Let me know what variations you tried, what your family and friends thought, and any tips or tricks you discovered along the way. Happy baking, and Happy Easter!