If you’re on the hunt for a festive and delicious treat to brighten up your St. Patrick’s Day celebrations, these Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe will be your new favorite! Picture soft, buttery sugar cookie bars with just the right amount of almond-kissed frosting, dyed a cheerful green, and topped with fun, festive sprinkles that bring the whole look together. It’s the perfect balance of sweet, creamy, and colorful that will leave everyone asking for seconds — and trust me, that moment comes fast with this crowd-pleaser.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These ingredients are simple, pantry-friendly, and essential to achieving the perfect balance of flavor, texture, and festive color in your Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe. Each component plays a key role, from the rich butter that creates softness to the almond extract that adds an irresistible hint of flavor.
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature: Perfect for creaming with sugar to add moisture and richness.
- 2 cups sugar: Sweetens the dough and helps create a tender crumb.
- 4 eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add fluffiness to the bars.
- 2 tsp vanilla extract: Enhances all the other flavors with warm vanilla notes.
- 1 tsp salt: Balances the sweetness and lifts the other flavors.
- ½ tsp baking soda: Provides just enough lift so the bars aren’t dense.
- 5 cups all-purpose flour: The sturdy base that gives the cookie bars their shape and texture.
- 5 cups powdered sugar: For the smooth, sweet frosting that complements the cookie base perfectly.
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature (for frosting): Creates a creamy and spreadable frosting texture.
- ¼ – ½ tsp almond extract: Infuses the frosting with a subtle, nutty aroma and flavor that makes these bars extra special.
- 6 tbsp milk: Adjusts the frosting consistency for easy spreading.
- Green food coloring: Brings that bright, festive touch that screams St. Patrick’s Day fun.
- St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles: Adds charming pops of color and whimsy on top.
How to Make Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe
Step 1: Prepare Your Oven and Pan
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F (190°C). Then grease a standard rimmed cookie sheet that’s about 12 by 17 inches. This ensures your cookie bars don’t stick and bake evenly. Having your pan ready upfront makes the process smooth and stress-free.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar
Next, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 2 cups of sugar on medium speed. This step is key to creating a light, fluffy base. Beat just until it blends into a smooth mixture before you add your eggs one at a time—giving each egg a chance to fully incorporate before adding the next. Following this, stir in the vanilla extract for that classic comforting aroma.
Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon of salt, a half teaspoon of baking soda, and 5 cups of all-purpose flour. This ensures the leavening agents and salt are evenly distributed, so you get consistent texture throughout your bars.
Step 4: Combine and Spread the Dough
Gradually add the dry ingredients to your creamed butter mixture, blending just until everything comes together. Then, press this dough evenly into your prepared cookie sheet. Don’t worry about making it perfectly smooth; it just needs to be level so your bars bake evenly. Pop it in the oven for about 15 minutes or until the edges turn a light golden hue — that’s your cue that it’s ready to come out.
Step 5: Prepare the Almond Frosting
While the cookie bars cool, start your frosting by beating 1 cup of softened butter until it’s silky smooth. Add 4 tablespoons of milk, your almond extract, and a few drops of green food coloring. Mix well to combine the flavors and that signature green color you want. The almond extract is what gives this frosting its extra pop — trust me, it’s magical.
Step 6: Add Powdered Sugar
Now, gradually add 5 cups of powdered sugar into the mixture, about a half cup at a time, so it blends in without making a mess. Once fully incorporated, stir in the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk to get the frosting to a perfect spreadable consistency. Adjust the green food coloring until you reach your desired shade of St. Patrick’s Day green.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Once the sugar cookie bars have cooled completely, spread your luscious almond frosting all over them. Immediately top with those fun St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles for a festive finish. Then cut your pan into about 36 to 40 bars — and just like that, your Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe are ready to impress!
How to Serve Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe
Garnishes
Extra garnishing options can elevate your bars so they look just as good as they taste. Feel free to add a light dusting of edible gold glitter for a bit of shimmer or scatter a few extra sprinkles on each square to really bring out that festive spirit.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars shine on their own but pairing them with a cup of fresh mint tea or a frothy Irish cream coffee can create a lovely themed snack or dessert experience. Their sweetness pairs wonderfully with drinks that have complementary warm or minty notes.
Creative Ways to Present
For serving at a party, consider displaying your Green Sugar Cookie Bars on a vibrant green or white platter and surround it with fresh shamrocks or small pots of gold (tiny chocolate coins) to really dial up the St. Patrick’s Day vibe. You can also layer them in decorative boxes if you want to gift this treat—they’ll love the thought and the flavor!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store any leftover Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay soft and fresh for about 4-5 days, making them perfect for busy weeks when you want a quick sweet bite.
Freezing
If you want to save some for later, these bars freeze beautifully. Wrap them individually in plastic wrap and then place them in a freezer-safe container or bag. They can keep well for up to 3 months, thawing quickly at room temperature whenever you’re ready for a festive treat.
Reheating
Although these cookie bars are usually enjoyed at room temperature, if you like your frosting a tad softer, you can warm a single bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds. Enjoy that melt-in-your-mouth sensation with minimal effort!
FAQs
Can I use almond milk instead of regular milk in the frosting?
Absolutely! Almond milk works well, especially if you want to enhance that almond flavor naturally. Just use the same amount and mix until you get your desired frosting consistency.
What if I don’t have green food coloring?
You can get creative with natural colorings like spinach juice or matcha powder for a unique twist. Just remember natural colors may alter the flavor slightly but still look festive!
Can I make smaller batches of this recipe?
Yes, this recipe scales down nicely. Just halve the ingredients and bake in a smaller pan. Keep an eye on baking time since smaller pans tend to cook faster.
How thick should I press the cookie dough before baking?
Press the dough evenly so it’s about half an inch thick. This thickness ensures the bars bake through with a soft, chewy texture instead of undercooked or too crunchy edges.
Can I substitute the almond extract with another flavor?
Yes! Vanilla extract can work as a substitute if you prefer a more traditional flavor, or try a hint of lemon extract for a citrusy twist that pairs wonderfully with the green frosting.
Final Thoughts
I can’t recommend enough trying this Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe. It’s a surefire way to make your holiday baking memorable with its perfect blend of flavor, color, and festivity. Whether you’re sharing with friends, family, or just treating yourself, these cookie bars are guaranteed to bring smiles and sweet moments all around. So go ahead, bake them soon—you’ll be glad you did!
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Green Sugar Cookie Bars with Almond Frosting and St. Patrick’s Day Sprinkles Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 36 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with these festive Green Sugar Cookie Bars. Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars are topped with a creamy, green almond-infused frosting and colorful holiday sprinkles, making them a delightful treat for any occasion. Easy to prepare and perfect for sharing, these bars combine classic sugar cookie flavors with a fun twist of vibrant color and festive decoration.
Ingredients
Cookie Dough
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- 2 cups sugar
- 4 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp baking soda
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
Frosting
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup butter, softened at room temperature
- ¼ – ½ tsp almond extract
- 6 tbsp milk
- Green food coloring, as needed
- St. Patrick’s Day sprinkles, for decoration
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare baking sheet: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Grease a standard rimmed cookie sheet measuring approximately 12×17 inches to prevent sticking.
- Cream butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer at medium speed to cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 2 cups of sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy. This process incorporates air into the dough for a tender texture.
- Add eggs and vanilla: Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Then add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and mix thoroughly to combine the flavors.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 1 teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and 5 cups of all-purpose flour until evenly mixed.
- Mix dry ingredients into wet: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing continuously until the dough is well combined and smooth.
- Press dough and bake: Evenly press the dough into the prepared cookie sheet, making sure it is spread to all edges for uniform thickness. Bake in the preheated oven for about 15 minutes, or until the cookie bars turn lightly golden on the top edges.
- Cool the bars: Remove the cookie sheet from the oven and allow the sugar cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting to prevent melting.
- Prepare the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 1 cup of softened butter until smooth. Add 4 tablespoons of milk, ¼ to ½ teaspoon almond extract, and a few drops of green food coloring, then mix well until the color is evenly distributed.
- Add powdered sugar: Gradually add 5 cups of powdered sugar to the frosting mixture, adding one-half cup at a time. Mix thoroughly after each addition to avoid lumps. Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of milk to achieve a spreadable consistency. Adjust the green food coloring as needed for vibrant color.
- Frost and decorate: Spread the prepared green frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Immediately sprinkle with St. Patrick’s Day-themed sprinkles for a festive touch.
- Cut and store: Once frosted, cut the cookie sheet into approximately 36 to 40 bars. Store the bars in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
Notes
- Be sure the butter is fully softened at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother dough and frosting.
- You can adjust the amount of green food coloring to get your preferred shade of green.
- For a dairy-free version, substitute butter with a plant-based alternative and use dairy-free milk.
- These bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- Cut the cookie bars into desired sizes but approximately 36 pieces yields good portion sizes for sharing.
