This easy recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars produces a thick, chewy lemon cookie bar topped with a sweet, creamy strawberry lemon buttercream frosting! This easy dessert will become a new favorite go-to!
Around here, cookie bars are always a good idea.
Whether it’s a classic monster cookie combo or a sweet and salty salted dark chocolate pistachio, the easiness of cookie bars makes them a go-to for just about any occasion.
And now we have a new one to add to the rotation. . .Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars!
These bars were originally made with just a plain sugar cookie base. However, after trying a lemon variation, we switched to making them lemon. The fresh lemon flavor is just too good to pass up!
Fresh lemon juice and fresh lemon zest give the base of these bars a bright, citrusy flavor that pairs perfectly with the sweet, creamy strawberry lemon buttercream frosting.
To create the frosting, finely chopped strawberry is mashed into it to give it both a sweet flavor and a fun color. Fresh lemon juice and zest give it that citrusy kick and slight pop of yellow!
Whether you need a dessert for a special occasion or just want something sweet to end your next meal, these cookie bars won’t disappoint!
How to Make Strawberry Lemon Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
These cookie bars are just like other bars. Combine the dry ingredients. Combine the wet ingredients. And then add them together, and press it all into a pan. Super easy!
Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9×9 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil that is lightly sprayed with nonstick cooking spray. Lining the pan makes it easy to just lift the frosted bars out and cut them.
I don’t recommend using an 8×8 inch baking dish as the cookie bars will end up really thick as will the layer of frosting. If you want a thinner cookie bar or frosting layer, you can use a 9×13 inch baking dish.
In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, fresh lemon zest, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar. Add in the egg, and beat until creamy. Next, add in the vanilla extract and milk until combined. Add in the fresh lemon juice, and beat until just combined.
Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, and beat until just combined. Dough will be soft and somewhat sticky.
Spread cookie dough into the bottom of the prepared baking dish. Try to evenly spread the dough so that the bars will have an even thickness throughout. The bottom of a glass works well or placing a piece of parchment paper on top of the dough and then pressing your hand along the top to even out the dough.
Place baking dish in preheated oven, and bake for 18-22 minutes, or until center appears puffed and edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan. The middle may appear underdone but will set as it cools. You do not want to over-bake the bars as they will dry out.
Remove the baking dish to a wire rack to allow to cool completely. You do not want to frost the bars while they are still warm as the frosting will melt.
Prepare the frosting while the bars are cooling. In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, combine butter and 2 cups confectioner’s sugar just until butter and sugar are combined.
Add in finely chopped strawberries and beat until strawberries break down and frosting thins a bit. Next, add in lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining 1 cup confectioner’s sugar.
Beat until combined and creamy. You can add in more confectioner’s sugar at this time if you prefer a thicker frosting.
Spread frosting over the top of the cooled bars. Cut into pieces, and serve.
Store leftovers in an airtight container. These bars will stay freshest longest in the refrigerator.
Tips for Making Sugar Cookie Bars with Strawberry Lemonade Buttercream Frosting
- If you prefer a thinner cookie bar and a thinner layer of frosting, make these bars in a 9×13 inch baking dish. Start checking for doneness at 15 minutes.
- For even thickness of bars throughout, make sure to smooth the batter once you have it in the pan. I like to use an offset spatula or the bottom of a glass for this.
- Bake the cookie bars just until the bars puff and the edges appear to be pulling away from the sides of the pan. The edges may not have turned golden yet. The center may appear underdone but will set as the bars cool.
More Strawberry Lemon Recipes to Try!
- Fresh Strawberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
- Strawberry Lemonade Iced Tea Pie
- Gluten Free Strawberry Lemon Poppy Seed Coffee Cake
Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
This easy recipe for Strawberry Lemonade Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars produces a thick, chewy lemon cookie bar topped with a sweet, creamy strawberry lemon buttercream frosting!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars
- 1/2 Cup butter, room temperature
- 3/4 Cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 Tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 2 Tablespoons milk
- 2 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting
- 1/2 Cup butter, room temperature
- 3 Cups confectioner's sugar
- 1/3 Cup finely chopped strawberries
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
- 1 Tablespoon fresh lemon zest, optional
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x9 inch baking dish with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, or with an electric hand mixer, cream together butter and sugar. Add in egg and vanilla extract. Beat until creamy. Beat in fresh lemon juice and milk.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, fresh lemon zest, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, and beat until combined.
- Spread dough in the bottom of prepared baking dish.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until edges just start to turn light golden brown. Try not to overbake. The center may look unbaked but will set as it cools.
- Remove from oven to a wire rack, and allow to cool completely.
- While bars are cooling, prepare frosting. Beat together butter and 2 cups confectioner's sugar. Add in strawberries. Beat until strawberries break down and frosting thins a bit. Add in lemon juice, lemon zest, and remaining 1 cup confectioner's sugar. Beat until combined and creamy. (You can add in more confectioner's sugar at this time if you prefer a thicker frosting.)
- Spread frosting over cooled bars. Cut into pieces, and serve.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container. The bars will stay freshest if kept in the refrigerator.
Notes
*You can make these in a 9x13 inch baking dish if you prefer a thinner cookie and thinner layer of frosting. Start checking for doneness at 15 minutes.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 20 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 238Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 6gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 37gFiber: 1gSugar: 24gProtein: 2g
Nutrition information shown is an estimate provided by an online calculator and may not always be accurate. Nutrition values can vary greatly based on brand used. It should not be considered a substitute for a medical professional’s advice.
Kay
Thursday 8th of June 2023
Fantastic!! They were the hit at my work event! I made the recipe 1 1/2 x and put in 13x9 pan. Thank you!! Yummy
Jessica@A Kitchen Addiction
Thursday 8th of June 2023
So glad you liked them! :) Thanks for letting me know the adjustments you made and how they worked!
Jill Roberts @ WellnessGeeky
Monday 15th of January 2018
The colors are so vibrant - your photography is fantastic! This strawberry lemonade frosted sugar cookie bars look yummy! I look forward to trying this. Thx for sharing!
Sheri Johnson
Friday 27th of June 2014
What is a virtual shower? Does anyone actually attend in person and eat a bar? Or do you just comment on how good they look like they would taste, if you were in person. Lol
Jessica@A Kitchen Addiction
Friday 27th of June 2014
Basically! :) Since we can't all get together in person to celebrate, we share what we would have brought!
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Monday 12th of May 2014
Ohhh I love sugar cookie bars and this is a great twist on them! What a fun treat for a baby shower!
Amber @ Dessert Now, Dinner Later!
Monday 12th of May 2014
These look so good! I love the flavor combo!