Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe

5 from 1 vote

These lemon cookie bars are an easy treat with an intense lemon frosting. They are perfectly chewy, sweet, and tart.

Prep Time10

Cook Time20

Total Time30

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: people

Calories: 321kcal

Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine the flour, baking soda, and salt and set aside. In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the room temperature butter, sugar, and vanilla extract and beat using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy—about 3 minutes. Slowly add the eggs, then beat on low until well combined, scraping down the sides as needed.
Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix on low speed until combined. Don't overmix.
Lightly spray a 12" x 17" baking sheet with nonstick spray and press the cookie dough into the bottom of the pan as evenly as possible.
Bake in a preheated oven for 20-25 minutes ,or until just barely golden brown on the edges. Remove from the oven and allow to cool.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, add the butter and beat using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix on low speed at first, then increase to medium until well combined.
Turn the mixer off and add the lemon juice, lemon zest, lemon essential oil, and vanilla extract. Mix for another minute or so until light and fluffy again. If your frosting is a little too dense, add a teaspoon of lemon juice. If your frosting is too runny, add another half cup of powdered sugar.

Spread the lemon buttercream frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and cut into bars or squares before serving. Enjoy!

For thicker cookie bars, press into a 9" x 13" baking dish and bake for about 2-3 minutes more.

Storing instructions: store cookie bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week, or in the freezer for up to 1 month.