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Sugar cookie bars with blood orange cream cheese frosting and candied blood oranges
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5 from 2 votes

Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

These delicious Sugar Cookie Bars are soft and chewy with a thick layer of blood orange cream cheese frosting and a candied blood orange on top.  They’re a perfect dessert for special occasions and easy enough for an everyday treat.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time25 minutes
Total Time35 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Servings: 20 people
Calories: 348kcal
Author: The Carefree Kitchen

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Bars

  • 2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 cup Butter
  • 1 ½ cups Sugar
  • 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
  • 2 large Eggs

Blood Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • 4 oz Butter room temperature
  • 8 oz Cream Cheese room temperature
  • 3 cups Powdered Sugar
  • ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract or orange
  • 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice fresh
  • 2-3 Tablespoons Blood Orange Juice
  • 2 Tablespoons Blood Orange Zest

Instructions

Sugar Cookie Bars

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Add the butter, sugar and vanilla into the bowl of a stand mixer and cream using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, scraping down the bowl as needed.
  • In a separate bowl, combine the flour, baking soda and salt and whisk well, then add to the butter and egg mixture.
  • Beat on low speed until well incorporated and no streaks of butter remain, but do not overmix.
  • Line a 9" x 13" baking sheet with parchment paper, or lightly spray with nonstick cooking spray. Press the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan, covering the bottom of the pan as evenly as possible.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until just barely golden. Remove from the oven and let cool completely.

Blood Orange Cream Cheese Frosting

  • In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream together the room temperature butter and cream cheese using the paddle attachment until light and fluffy.
  • Add powdered sugar and mix on low speed until incorporated.  Add the vanilla extract, lemon juice, blood orange juice and zest and mix again on low until incorporated. Increase speed and beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable. Note: you may need to add a bit more powdered sugar or lemon juice to adjust the consistency.
  • Using an offset spatula, spread the frosting over the top of the cooled Sugar Cookie Bars. Garnish the tops with candied blood oranges or sprinkles as desired. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Notes

  • If the blood oranges aren't as red as you might like, add a drop or two of red food coloring to your frosting.

Nutrition

Calories: 348kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 11g | Cholesterol: 67mg | Sodium: 345mg | Potassium: 42mg | Sugar: 33g | Vitamin A: 610IU | Vitamin C: 0.8mg | Calcium: 21mg | Iron: 0.8mg