Description
Delight in the festive charm of Easter Egg Sugar Cookie Bars, a perfect springtime treat combining soft, buttery sugar cookie dough studded with pastel candy-coated chocolate eggs and colorful sprinkles. These easy-to-make bars are decorated with whole candy eggs on top, making them a vibrant and delicious addition to your Easter baskets or dessert table.
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Dough
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Mix-ins and Topping
- 1/2 cup pastel candy-coated chocolate eggs (such as mini eggs), chopped
- 1/4 cup sprinkles (optional)
- Additional whole candy eggs for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture is light and fluffy, creating a smooth base for the dough.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Incorporate the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) into the butter mixture, mixing thoroughly until well combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening agents and seasoning.
- Form the Dough: Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft, cohesive dough forms.
- Fold in Candy and Sprinkles: Gently fold the chopped pastel candy-coated chocolate eggs and optional sprinkles into the dough, ensuring they are evenly distributed without melting the candies.
- Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan, pressing it evenly to create a uniform layer.
- Decorate: Press a few whole candy eggs gently onto the surface of the dough for a festive decoration that will bake right on top.
- Bake: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20 to 24 minutes, or until the edges turn lightly golden and the center is set but still slightly soft.
- Cool and Slice: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before removing and slicing into 16 bars to maintain clean edges and prevent crumbling.
Notes
- For easy removal from the pan, always let the bars cool completely before slicing.
- You can double the recipe to fit a 9×13-inch pan if you need more servings.
- These bars make a fun and festive addition to Easter baskets or spring gatherings with their colorful appearance and sweet flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
