Description
King Cake Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive treat inspired by the traditional King Cake, combining a soft sugar cookie base with a sweet icing and colorful decoration.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest, mixing until fully combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and ground cinnamon.
- Gradually add dry ingredient mixture to wet ingredients, stirring just until combined.
- Transfer dough evenly into prepared baking pan using a spatula.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and center is set.
- Allow cookie base to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread icing evenly over cooled cookie base.
- Immediately sprinkle sanding sugar over icing in sections or decorative patterns.
- Allow icing to set for 30 minutes before slicing into bars.
Notes
- Ensure not to overmix the dough for a softer cookie.
- For a richer flavor, you can add a bit more almond extract if desired.
- Adjust the thickness of the icing by adding more or less milk.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 100mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 29g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 35mg