Independence Day is a time to celebrate the birth of our great country. We celebrate with parades, fireworks and great summertime food. While apple pies, cherry pies and ice cream are tops on the list, these sugar cookie bars are giving the traditional favorites a run for their money. They are tasty, RV friendly and best of all, delicious!
Sugar cookies are always good in my book. Let’s be honest, sometimes it’s a drag chilling then rolling out the dough. This is one giant sugar cookie, cooked all at the same time without touching the rolling pin. Perfect for baking during the summer since your oven is on and off in under 20 minutes. It comes out with a little crunch on the outside with a perfectly soft center.
It all gets topped with a yummy good home-made frosting and finished off with some very patriotic M&M’s. This makes for a very festive and delicious 4th of July treat. Since M&M’s come in special holiday colors year round, you can make these for any occasion. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, Halloween, Christmas and more.
Begin by creaming the sugar and butter until it’s light and fluffy.
Add eggs and vanilla and mix well.
Slowly stir in the flour, salt and baking powder. Mix until just combined.
Press into a 13×9 pan
Bake for 10-13 minutes, do not overbake. Center should be just set and edges not browned yet. Cool completely.
For the icing, mix butter and powdered sugar for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy. Add vanilla mix well. Add milk a tablespoon at a time until you get the smooth consistency you want.
Spread evenly on the cookie and top with M&M’s, white chocolate chips and sprinkles. You can get creative here and decorate with whatever you’d like.
BONUS: Recipe can be cut in half easily.
Firecracker Bars
Recipe credit: Patriotic Sugar Cookie Bars
For the bars:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, room temperature (1.5 sticks)
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 2 1/4 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 1 stick butter, room temperature
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 tablespoons milk
- red, white and blue sprinkles
- red white and blue M&M’s
- white chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 375. Spray 9×13 pan or line with heavy foil and generously spray the foil.
Cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla and mix well. Slowly stir in the flower, baking powder and salt. Mix until just combined.
Press the cookie mixture evenly in the baking pan. Bake for 10-13 minutes, do not overbake. Bars should be barely set in the center without browned edges. Cool completely.