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Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe

Oct 15, 2020 · 10 Comments

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Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe

This sprinkle cookie bars recipe is made with Greek yogurt in the cookie bar dough and in the frosting, and is the perfect sweet treat to make for new neighbors, family and friends. They taste like the birthday cake cookie bars of your dreams and have the perfect soft crumb texture!

Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe with a tub of sprinkles this image

We recently moved and have new neighbors. As I was flipping through a new cookbook talking about how we should bake something to bring to the new neighbors, my son pointed at these cookie bars and said he wanted to make them (similar to when he wanted to make the chocolate chip oatmeal cookies with cherries).  So we made them, and he proudly walked them over to the new neighbors’ houses, it was so cute! If you’re looking for what to bring to new neighbors, these fun sprinkle cookie bars should be top of your list.
The Ultimate Cookie Handbook Cookbook
The cookbook this sprinkle cookie bar recipe is from? The Ultimate Cookie Handbook from blogger Tessa of Handle The Heat.  She self-published the beautiful book and I purchased it because I’ve always loved her recipes. This book is no exception – it is packed with great recipes and such awesome information.
Sprinkle cookie bars recipe

What ingredients do I need to make sprinkle cookie bars?

  • All-purpose flour – I use all-purpose flour for this. You could use whole wheat flour instead (if using whole wheat flour, it will be a little denser so I’d recommend adding another egg.) You could make these sprinkle cookie bars gluten-free cookie bars by using this Bob’s Red Mill 1-to-1 gluten free baking flour.  It’s the one I’ve had the best results with.
  • Cornstarch – When used in baked goods, cornstarch adds a wonderful crumb texture and makes them chewy,
  • Baking powder & baking soda –  must-have leavening for baking recipes.
  • Fine sea salt – used in the cookies and the frosting.  It doesn’t have to be fancy – this one works great!
  • Unsalted butter – keep the butter at cool room temperature.  You’ll need some for the cookies and the frosting
  • Granulated sugar – used for sweetness in this recipe.
  • 2 large eggs – use one whole egg and one yolk only, at cool room temperature
  • Vanilla extract – vanilla is used in the cookies and frosting.  I use a good quality one like this!
  • Rainbow sprinkles – for all the fun in this recipe!  Use some to mix in and also some for sprinkling on top of the frosting. You could use natural sprinkles like this.
  • Powdered sugar – powdered sugar is what gives the frosting the light and airy fluffy quality.
  • Greek yogurt – Used in the cookies and frosting.  For the cookies, feel free to use cream cheese in the cookie bar dough and substitute heavy cream in the frosting in place of Greek yogurt if you’d prefer. Greek yogurt in these cookie bars gives a soft crumb texture.
  • Almond extract – optional, but a delicious addition.  This is always my favorite brand to use when it comes to extracts. The addition of almond extract in the buttercream gives it a more classic confetti cake flavor.
Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe in a baking pan

How do I make birthday cake sprinkle cookie bars?

  1. Preheat the oven to 350.  Line an 8-inch square baking pan with parchment or foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.  Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

  2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.

  3. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the butter, Greek yogurt (or cream cheese) and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and beat until well-combined.  Slowly beat in the flour mixture.  Stir in the sprinkles with a rubber spatula until just combined.

  4. Press the dough into the prepared pan.

  5. Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top.  Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely.

Putting together sprinkle cookie bars with frosting and sprinkles

How do I make the frosting for these confetti cookie bars?

  1. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes.  With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of cream (or Greek Yogurt), vanilla extract, almond extract and salt.  Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.  Add more Greek Yogurt (or cream) to thin the frosting or more powdered sugar to thicken it to your desired consistency.

  2. Remove the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang.  Frost with a thick layer of frosting.  Garnish with sprinkles before cutting into squares.  Serve and enjoy! 

Decorating sprinkle cookie bars with frosting and sprinkles

What is the best way to store cookie bars?

  • Serve same day, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • These sprinkle cookie bars also freeze very well, make them, freeze them (without the frosting) and then when ready to enjoy let them come to room temperature (by removing them from the freezer and letting them sit on the counter for half an hr) and make the frosting, frost and enjoy!

Birthday cake sprinkles cookie bars recipe from The Ultimate Cookie Handbook

I would make this sprinkle cookie bars recipe over and over and not change a thing!  The Greek yogurt substitute was a great choice and these bars never last long and become a favorite of anyone who has tried them.  A total winner of a recipe and so fun to make and look at!
Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe with a tub of sprinkles

Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe

These rainbow sprinkle cookie bars are tons of fun to look at and even better to eat! The flavors are just as wonderful as the classic confetti flavors, and these sprinkle cookie bars are made with Greek yogurt!
4 from 2 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 8 minutes minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes
Frosting: 5 minutes minutes
Servings: 16 squares

Equipment

  • Rubber spatula
  • Glass Mixing Bowls
  • Measuring cups
  • Electric hand mixer
  • 9-inch square pan

Ingredients

For the Bars

  • 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 1/2 tsp cornstarch
  • 3/4 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • 1/4 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (1 stick)
  • 2 ounces Greek Yogurt at room temperature (a little less than a 1/4 cup)
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg large
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup rainbow sprinkles plus more for garnish

For the Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter at room temperature (1 stick)
  • 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar sifted
  • 2-4 Tbs Greek yogurt
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract optional
  • 1/8 tsp fine sea salt

Instructions

To Make the Cookie Bars

  • Preheat the oven to 350.  Line a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment or foil, leaving an overhang on all sides.  Spray with nonstick cooking spray.
  • In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, baking soda and salt.
  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the butter, Greek yogurt (or cream cheese) and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add the egg, egg yolk, and vanilla and beat until well-combined.  Slowly beat in the flour mixture.  Stir in the sprinkles with a rubber spatula until just combined. 
  • Press the dough into the prepared pan.
    Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe in a baking pan
  • Bake for 25 minutes, or until lightly golden brown on top.  Place the pan on a wire rack and let cool completely. 
    Putting together sprinkle cookie bars with frosting and sprinkles

To Make the Frosting

  • In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium-high speed to beat the butter until creamy, about 2 minutes.  With the mixer on low speed, add the powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons of Greek yogurt (or heavy cream), vanilla extract, almond extract and salt.  Increase speed to high and beat for 3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.  Add more Greek yogurt (or heavy cream) to thin the frosting or more powdered sugar to thicken it to your desired consistency.
  • Remove the bars from the pan using the parchment overhang.  Frost with a thick layer of frosting.  Garnish with sprinkles before cutting into larger (3 rows of 3=9 bars) or smaller (4 rows of 4=16) bars. 
    Serve same day, or store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
    Birthday cake sprinkles cookie bars recipe from The Ultimate Cookie Handbook

Notes

I used Greek yogurt instead of cream cheese (in the cookie bars) and instead of heavy cream (in the frosting).  The yogurt helped cut some of the sweetness.
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutrition information presented on this site should be considered an estimate as the calculations will change based on the exact products you use in your own kitchen.
Recipe slightly adapted from The Ultimate Cookie Handbook 

Nutrition

Calories: 259kcal | Carbohydrates: 34g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 12g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 53mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 26mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 23g | Vitamin A: 386IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 1mg

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Birthdays, Blog Posts, Brownies & Bars, Dessert, Recipes birthday cake bars, birthday cake confetti cookie bars, cookie bars, dessert recipe, food gift, sprinkle cookie bars, Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe

Reader Recreations

Reader Recreation – Sprinkle Cookie Bars
Reader Recreation – Sprinkle Cookie Bars Recipe

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Comments

  1. Aysel says

    November 1, 2020 at 7:26 am

    Looks like such a fun recipe! Can’t wait to try it when I have a chance to buy some sprinkles (we always seem to be out of them, LOL).

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      November 1, 2020 at 7:34 pm

      I think you’d love these, they’re so fun and delicious!

      Reply
  2. Amy Van Ells says

    November 1, 2020 at 5:47 am

    I made a version of these and we frosted them after we cut them and they turned out great!!!!! We used a piping tip and they were super fun

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      November 1, 2020 at 7:35 pm

      Oh fun – I love that you used a piping tip for the frosting part!!

      Reply
  3. Cheri Scott says

    October 30, 2020 at 9:38 am

    These are so so good. Made them and used all natural sprinkles and now the family calls them the fancy cookies. They loved them! Between freezer chocolate chip cookies and these sugar cookies you made me look like a real baker!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      November 1, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      Cheri that is so cute they call them ‘fancy cookies’, I love that!!! Thank you for making my recipes and leaving such great comments.

      Reply
  4. Kim says

    October 25, 2020 at 1:58 pm

    5 stars
    I made these we loved them. I folded the sprinkles into the frosting just for less mess and I don’t have any kids that need to do the sprinkles, just me the big kid:)

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      October 29, 2020 at 10:56 am

      Oooooh I love that you folded the sprinkles into the frosting, what a great tip/idea (also..why didn’t I think of that when making them with a very messy toddler lol!!) Thank you so much for commenting 🙂

      Reply
  5. Inger @ Art of Natural Living says

    October 18, 2020 at 11:14 am

    I love sprinkles more now than when I was a kid! 🙂

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      October 19, 2020 at 8:19 am

      That’s so spot on Inger – I do too! My older son is particularly in love with them, and sprinkle recipes always make me so happy because they’re so colorful!

      Reply

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