Shamrock Cookie Bars Festive (Printable Version)

Soft sugar bars topped with creamy green frosting, ideal for festive St. Patrick's Day treats.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
02 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
03 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
04 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
05 - 1 cup granulated sugar
06 - 2 large eggs
07 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
08 - 1/4 cup whole milk

→ Frosting

09 - 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
10 - 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
11 - 2 tablespoons whole milk
12 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
13 - Green food coloring

→ Decoration

14 - Shamrock-shaped sprinkles or green sanding sugar

# Step-by-Step:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
03 - In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
04 - Add eggs one at a time, beating until combined. Mix in vanilla extract.
05 - Gradually add flour mixture, alternating with milk, beating on low speed until just combined.
06 - Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan.
07 - Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Do not overbake.
08 - Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
09 - Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, beating until smooth and fluffy. Add green food coloring, a few drops at a time, until desired shade is reached.
10 - Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookie base. Decorate with shamrock sprinkles or green sanding sugar if desired.
11 - Lift out of the pan using parchment overhang and cut into bars.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The soft sugar cookie base melts in your mouth like a cloud
  • The frosting stays perfectly creamy for days
  • They feed a crowd without the fuss of individual cookies
02 -
  • Overbaking makes these bars dry instead of tender
  • Completely cooled bars are the only way to get smooth frosting
  • Gel food coloring keeps frosting thick while liquid kind can make it runny
03 -
  • Use the parchment handles to lift the whole slab out before cutting for cleaner edges
  • Dip your knife in hot water and wipe between cuts for perfect squares

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