There is nothing quite like the joy of biting into a sweet, colorful treat that immediately evokes the festive spirit of the season. This Easter Cookie Bars Recipe combines the perfect balance of soft, buttery cookie layers with a luscious, creamy frosting studded with coconut flakes and vibrant sprinkles that celebrate spring in every bite. Whether you’re making them for a family gathering, a school party, or simply to treat yourself, these bars are guaranteed to brighten your day with their delightful texture and whimsical appearance.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Each ingredient in this Easter Cookie Bars Recipe is simple yet essential, working together to create the perfect harmony of flavors and textures. From the soft all-purpose flour base to the rich, creamy frosting and playful Easter-themed decorations, every component adds something special to the dish.
- All-purpose flour: The sturdy foundation that gives these cookie bars their tender, chewy texture.
- Baking powder and baking soda: These leavening agents help the bars rise just enough for a light, fluffy bite.
- Table salt: Enhances all the sweet flavors, balancing each mouthful perfectly.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Adds that essential richness and buttery flavor, both in the cookie base and the frosting.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the cookie bars while contributing to their chewy texture.
- Large eggs: Bind the ingredients together and provide moisture for softness.
- Vanilla and almond extracts: These extracts add fragrant warmth and a subtle depth of flavor to the cookie dough.
- Confetti sprinkles: Brings bursts of color and a fun, festive flair.
- Powdered sugar: Used to make the rich, creamy frosting with the perfect level of sweetness.
- Cream of coconut: Adds tropical sweetness and moisture to the frosting for a luscious mouthfeel.
- Coconut extract: Complements the cream of coconut and shredded coconut, heightening the flavor.
- Sweetened coconut flakes: Sprinkled on top for added texture and a chewy burst of coconut goodness.
- Green food coloring: Gives the frosting a fresh, springtime hue that is instantly eye-catching.
- Easter Peeps, candy, and jelly beans: Classic decorations that make these bars festive and fun to look at—and eat!
How to Make Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Begin by whisking together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a medium bowl. This dry mixture forms the base for your cookie bars and ensures everything is evenly distributed for perfect texture.
Step 2: Creaming Butter and Sugar
In a separate large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This step is crucial because it helps to incorporate tiny air pockets that make the bars tender and soft rather than dense.
Step 3: Adding Eggs and Extracts
Next, add the eggs one at a time to the creamed butter and sugar, mixing well after each addition. Follow up with the vanilla and almond extracts. These ingredients bring moisture and nuanced flavors, making each bite irresistible.
Step 4: Combining Wet and Dry Ingredients
Slowly add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, folding gently until fully combined. Overmixing here can lead to tough bars, so be gentle and patient for the perfect dough consistency.
Step 5: Folding in Sprinkles and Baking
Carefully fold the confetti sprinkles into the dough to infuse the bars with pops of color inside. Spread the dough evenly in a greased baking dish and bake at 350°F (175°C) for about 25 minutes or until golden and a toothpick comes out with a few moist crumbs.
Step 6: Making the Frosting
While the cookie bars cool, prepare the frosting by beating the softened butter and powdered sugar together until smooth and creamy. Add in the cream of coconut, vanilla extract, coconut extract, a pinch of salt, and green food coloring. Mix until the frosting reaches a light, fluffy texture with a bright, spring-green color.
Step 7: Assembling the Bars
Once the cookie base has cooled completely, spread the coconut frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle with sweetened coconut flakes and decorate with Easter Peeps, jelly beans, and other festive candies to your heart’s content.
How to Serve Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
Adding sprinkles, coconut flakes, and colorful Easter candies on top not only boosts the flavor but makes the bars incredibly Instagram-worthy. These playful garnishes invite smiles from kids and adults alike, turning simple cookie bars into a festive centerpiece.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars alongside a fresh fruit salad or a light cup of herbal tea to balance the rich sweetness. The fruity notes and refreshing warmth complement the buttery and coconut flavors perfectly, creating a well-rounded treat experience.
Creative Ways to Present
Consider arranging the bars on a pastel-colored platter or wrapping them individually in clear cellophane tied with a colorful ribbon. You could also serve them with a small glass of milk or a festive punch for an inviting Easter dessert table setup.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Leftover Easter cookie bars should be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. This keeps the bars soft and moist, preserving the fresh flavors and the creamy frosting texture.
Freezing
If you want to make these in advance or save extras, you can freeze the bars (without frosting) for up to two months. Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe container. Frost and decorate after thawing for the best appearance and taste.
Reheating
Since these are cookie bars with a creamy frosting, reheating isn’t necessary and could melt the toppings. Instead, bring frozen bars to room temperature before serving to enjoy their full flavor and texture.
FAQs
Can I substitute almond extract in this Easter Cookie Bars Recipe?
Absolutely! Almond extract is optional and can be replaced with an equal amount of additional vanilla extract or omitted entirely if you prefer a simpler flavor.
How do I prevent the sprinkles from bleeding color?
Using high-quality, bakery-grade sprinkles reduces the risk of color bleeding. Always fold them in gently at the end of mixing and bake immediately to help maintain their brightness.
Can I use sweetened shredded coconut instead of flakes?
Yes, sweetened shredded coconut works fine, but flakes provide a better chew and texture contrast in the frosting. If using shredded coconut, expect a slightly different mouthfeel.
Is it possible to make this recipe gluten-free?
You can experiment with a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, but results may vary. Look for a blend that contains xanthan gum or add it separately to mimic the texture of wheat flour.
How long do these Easter Cookie Bars last?
Stored properly, they stay fresh for about three days at room temperature. With frosting, they don’t keep as long in the fridge since the texture could change, so it’s best to enjoy them sooner rather than later.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking to make a joyful, colorful, and utterly delicious treat this spring, the Easter Cookie Bars Recipe is a must-try. It’s simple enough to tackle with your favorite little helpers, yet impressive enough to wow guests and family alike. Trust me, once you get a bite of that buttery cookie base topped with luscious coconut cream frosting and festive candies, you’ll want to make this recipe year after year. So go ahead, dive in, and fill your home with the sweet scents and smiles of Easter!
Print
Easter Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Easter Cookie Bars featuring a buttery, tender base topped with a smooth coconut cream frosting, colorful confetti sprinkles, and decorated with fun Easter candies. Perfect for springtime celebrations and easy to prepare, these bars combine classic cookie flavors with a tropical twist of coconut and vibrant Easter-themed decorations.
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 3 & 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon table salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 & 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1/4 cup confetti sprinkles
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup cream of coconut
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon coconut extract
- Pinch of table salt
- 1 & 1/2 cups sweetened coconut flakes
- Green food coloring (to tint coconut flakes)
Decoration
- Easter peeps or Easter candy
- Jelly beans
Instructions
- Prepare Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. This ensures even distribution of the leavening agents for a uniform rise.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This will help create a tender texture in the cookie bars.
- Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract, if using. The extracts add depth and a subtle nutty flavor to the bars.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture, mixing just until combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender. Gently fold in the confetti sprinkles for a festive look.
- Bake the Cookie Base: Spread the batter evenly in a greased or parchment-lined 9×13-inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated oven at 350°F (175°C) for approximately 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, alternating with cream of coconut, mixing until smooth. Stir in vanilla extract, coconut extract, and a pinch of salt to balance the sweetness.
- Color Coconut Flakes: In a small bowl, toss the sweetened coconut flakes with a few drops of green food coloring until evenly tinted to resemble grass for Easter-themed decoration.
- Frost the Bars: Once the cookie base is completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Sprinkle the green-tinted coconut flakes generously over the frosting to create a grassy effect.
- Decorate: Place Easter peeps, jelly beans, and Easter candies on top of the frosted bars to add festive color and texture, creating an inviting Easter display.
- Chill and Serve: Refrigerate the decorated cookie bars for at least 15 minutes to set the frosting before cutting into 12 squares to serve. Enjoy your festive Easter treat!
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature butter and eggs for easier mixing and better texture.
- If you prefer, substitute almond extract with more vanilla extract or another flavored extract.
- Tint the coconut flakes gradually to achieve the desired shade of green.
- Store leftover cookie bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
- These bars can be made a day ahead to allow the flavors to meld.
