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Transform classic sugar cookies into easy-to-make bars featuring tangy sour cream for incredible tenderness. These crowd-pleasing treats combine soft, buttery texture with creamy frosting, perfect for any celebration or everyday indulgence.
Through countless batches, I've discovered that proper ingredient temperature and careful mixing create the perfect tender texture.
Essential Ingredients
- For Bars:
- Unsalted Butter: Room temperature
- Full-Fat Sour Cream: Room temperature
- Large Egg: Room temperature
- Pure Vanilla Extract: No imitation
- All-Purpose Flour: Spooned and leveled
- Granulated Sugar: Regular white
- Kosher Salt: For flavor enhancement
- Fresh Lemon Juice: No bottled
- For Frosting:
- Unsalted Butter: Softened
- Powdered Sugar: Sifted
- Heavy Cream: For smoothness
- Gel Food Colors: For vibrancy
Detailed Instructions
- 1. Preparation Phase:
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line 9x13 pan with parchment, leaving overhang for easy removal. Ensure all ingredients are room temperature. Sift flour and salt together.
- 2. Butter Mixture:
- Beat butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3-4 minutes. Mixture should be noticeably lighter in color. Add egg and vanilla, beat until combined. Mix in sour cream and lemon juice - don't worry if mixture looks slightly curdled.
- 3. Dough Completion:
- Add flour mixture gradually, mixing on low speed just until combined. Don't overmix. Spread evenly in prepared pan - dough will be thick.
- 4. Baking Process:
- Bake 20-25 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Toothpick should come out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes before transferring to wire rack.
- 5. Frosting Preparation:
- Beat softened butter until creamy. Gradually add sifted powdered sugar, alternating with cream until smooth and spreadable. Add food coloring if desired. Spread on completely cooled bars.
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Storage and Serving Solutions
Store frosted bars in an airtight container up to 5 days at room temperature. For cleaner cuts, refrigerate 20 minutes before slicing. Unfrosted bars can be frozen up to 3 months - wrap well in plastic wrap and foil. Thaw overnight in refrigerator and frost before serving.
Perfect Pairings
These tender cookie bars pair beautifully with:
- Cold milk
- Hot coffee or tea
- Ice cream
- Fresh berries
- Hot chocolate
- Vanilla latte
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Decorating Options
Create festive variations with:
- Seasonal sprinkles
- Colored frostings
- Candy pearls
- Rainbow nonpareils
- Edible glitter
- Chocolate drizzle
Make-Ahead Magic
The beauty of these bars lies in their make-ahead convenience. Prepare the dough and bake up to two days before your event. The sour cream keeps them incredibly moist and tender, while proper storage maintains their fresh-baked taste. For best results, wait to frost until the day of serving. If making far in advance, freeze unfrosted bars layered between parchment paper. The dough can also be made ahead and refrigerated overnight - just bring to room temperature before spreading in pan.
Temperature Tips
Success with these bars depends greatly on proper temperature control. Room temperature ingredients create a smoother, more evenly mixed dough that bakes up perfectly tender. If time is short, speed up the process by cutting butter into small cubes - they'll reach room temperature faster. When frosting, ensure bars are completely cool to prevent melting. If decorating with multiple colors of frosting, keep unused portions chilled until needed. For cleanest cuts, a slightly chilled bar is easier to slice neatly.
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These sour cream cookie bars prove that simple ingredients can create something special. Whether for bake sales, parties, or everyday treats, they're sure to become a favorite. Remember, proper mixing and cooling create the perfect texture every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Why must ingredients be room temperature?
- Room temperature ingredients blend better and create a smoother, more even texture in the finished bars.
- → Can I make these ahead?
- Yes, they keep well covered at room temperature for 3 days or refrigerated for up to a week.
- → Can I freeze these bars?
- Yes, freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months. Frost after thawing.
- → What makes them so soft?
- The combination of sour cream and proper mixing technique creates their signature tender texture.
- → Can I double the recipe?
- Yes, double all ingredients and use a 9x13 inch pan. Increase baking time by 5-10 minutes.