Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

These Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars are an easy homemade treat that is bright, soft, and packed with fresh lemon flavor. Each bite has a lemon sugar cookie base and is topped with a lemon buttercream for a sweet and tangy finish. Perfect for potlucks, holidays, or anytime you need a fresh and flavorful dessert.

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I have been baking cookies and bars for years, both at home and in busy kitchen settings, and I have tested plenty of batches to get the texture and flavor just right. My family is always happy to taste test, and these lemon cookie bars disappear fast every time I make them. I love creating recipes that balance flavor and simplicity, so you can count on these turning out great in your own kitchen.

Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe Ingredients

• Salted Butter
• White Sugar
• Large Eggs
• Lemons
• Pure Lemon Extract
• Unbleached All Purpose Flour
• Baking Powder
• Baking Soda
• Salt
• Powdered Sugar
• Milk

How to Make Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

1. First, preheat oven to 350°F and grease a 15in x 10in sheet pan (jelly roll pan) with non stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper and leave an overhang on the long edges.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with paddle attachment, or a large mixing bowl and hand mixer, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. About 2-3 minutes.
3. Next, add the eggs, one at a time beating well after each addition.
4. Then beat in pure lemon extract and lemon zest.

5. Now add the dry ingredients: baking powder, baking soda, salt and one cup of flour. Mix until just incorporated and then continue to add the remaining flour, one cup at a time until it is all fully combined.
6. Spread the dough out evenly onto the prepared sheet pan. Your hands will do the best job!

7. Bake the cookie bars in preheated oven on center rack for 15-20 minutes just until the edges have started to turn golden brown and the center no longer looks glossy.
8. Cool completely before frosting

How to Make Lemon Buttercream Frosting

1. In a stand mixer or with hand mixer, beat softened butter until creamy.
2. Then, add one cup of powdered sugar at a time, beating well after each cup.
3. Now add in the lemon zest, and lemon juice and beat until its all incorporated.
4. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired consistency.

5. Lastly, increase the speed and beat frosting for 1-2 minutes until creamy and fluffy.
6. Evenly spread out the frosting over the cooled bars. An offset spatula works really well.
7. Decorate with your favorite sprinkles, slice and enjoy!

How to Store Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars

Storing: Store these frosted lemon cookie bars in an air tight container between layers of wax paper. Keep them in a cool dry place and they'll last at least a week. If you notice the bars starting to get a little dry and hard, add a piece of bread or flour tortilla to the container with the bars.

Freezing: These bars freeze well! You can freeze them with or without the frosting. Place the bars in a freezer safe air tight container in single layers, between pieces of wax paper. Or you can individually wrap the bars then place in a freezer bag or container. Label, date and freeze. The bars will last up to 4 months in the freezer.

Thawing: To thaw the frozen bars, simply let them sit at room temperature for a few hours.

Tips for Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe

• Gather all the ingredients before you start baking. It is so much easier to bake when all the ingredients are ready. There is also less room for error, like forgetting an essential ingredient. I'm not saying I've done this, however, I am speaking from experience! Ha!
• Read the recipe from start to finish before you start. Again, I am speaking from experience.
• Start with room temperature ingredients. This helps the dough come together better and helps ensure even baking.
• Always fluff your flour and then spoon and level it to measure. Doing this will prevent you from adding too much flour to your recipe and ultimately making the bars dry and crumbly.
• Do not overbake the bars. They are done when the edges are just barely browned and the center is no longer glossy.
• If your oven tends to bake unevenly, you can rotate the baking sheet a little over half way through the baking time. It helps with even baking.
• These lemon cookie bars can be customized for any holiday, party, or event. Use any food coloring you like in the frosting and an assortment of sprinkles and decorations.
• Slice into 35 smaller bars to serve a bigger crowd.
• If you would like a smaller batch, divide the recipe in half and bake in a 9x13 inch baking dish.

More Cookie Bar Recipes:

• Fluffernutter Bars
• Sugar Cookie Bars
• Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
• Monster Cookie Bars
• Brookie Bars
• Snickerdoodle Bars
• S'mores Bars
• Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars
• Gingerbread Cookie Bars