Easter Cookie Bars Recipe

The Perfect Easter Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Spring Treats

Easter cookie bars bring a burst of springtime joy to your dessert table, blending nostalgia with sweet creativity.

Pastel sprinkles and vibrant colors make these treats impossible to resist.

Childhood memories flood back with each delectable bite of buttery, soft goodness.

Homemade comfort shines through in every carefully crafted square.

Kids and adults alike will fall in love with these delightful confections.

Delicate crumbs and rich flavors promise a memorable celebration of the season.

Bake these magical bars and watch smiles bloom around your kitchen.

  • Bursting with colorful sprinkles, these bars instantly bring joy and playful excitement to any holiday gathering or family celebration.
  • With simple ingredients and straightforward preparation, you can create a delicious treat that will impress guests without spending hours in the kitchen.
  • Involving children in mixing sprinkles and watching the transformation creates memorable moments while teaching basic baking skills.
Base Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: A key ingredient that provides structure and texture to the Easter cookie bars.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a soft, tender crumb.
  • Butter: Provides rich flavor and contributes to the tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
  • Eggs: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture to the bars.
Flavor Enhancers:
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings a classic, warm flavor that complements the sweet base.
  • Candy Sprinkles: Adds festive color and a fun, celebratory touch to the Easter cookie bars.
Dry Ingredients:
  • Baking Powder: Helps the bars rise and creates a light, airy texture.
  • Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the overall flavor profile.

Step 1: Warm Up The Oven

Crank your oven to a toasty 350°F (175°C).

Grab a baking dish and line it completely with parchment paper, ensuring the entire surface is covered for easy removal later.

Step 2: Create A Dreamy Base

In a large mixing bowl, whip together softened butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a cloud-like, fluffy texture.

Gently introduce eggs one by one, stirring thoroughly after each addition.

Pour in vanilla extract and blend until everything looks smooth and harmonious.

Step 3: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab another bowl and whisk together:
  • All-purpose flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into your buttery mixture, stirring carefully until just combined.

Avoid overmixing to keep the bars tender.

Step 4: Add Colorful Excitement

Softly fold in half of the festive candy sprinkles, distributing them evenly throughout the batter.

This will create delightful bursts of color in every bite.

Step 5: Prepare For Baking

Transfer the batter into your prepared baking dish, using a spatula to spread it evenly across the surface.

Sprinkle the remaining candy bits on top for extra visual appeal and flavor.

Step 6: Bake To Perfection

Slide the dish into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes.

Look for a golden-brown surface and a slightly firm center as your baking cue.

Step 7: Cool And Slice

Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely.

Once cooled, use the parchment paper to lift the entire batch out, then slice into delectable squares ready for enjoying.

  • Choose vibrant, festive Easter-themed sprinkles that won't bleed color during baking, ensuring a bright and cheerful appearance.
  • Check bars at 20 minutes and remove from oven when edges are lightly golden to maintain a soft, moist texture without drying out.
  • Let butter sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before creaming, creating smoother batter and more even mixing.
  • Stir dry ingredients into wet ingredients just until combined to avoid tough, dense cookie bars with potential gluten development.
  • Let bars cool completely in the pan for clean, precise cutting and optimal texture, preventing crumbling when slicing into squares.
  • Store cooled bars in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers. Keep fresh for up to 5 days in the refrigerator.
  • Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in freezer-safe container. Freeze for maximum 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before serving.
  • Place bars in sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
  • Warm briefly in microwave for 10-15 seconds or restore crispness by placing in preheated oven at 300F for 3-4 minutes until slightly warm.
  • Pair with Creamy Spring Milkshake: Blend vanilla ice cream with pastel-colored marshmallow cream and top with matching sprinkles for a festive drink that complements the cookie bars' sweetness.
  • Match with Fruity Champagne Cocktail: Create a light, elegant beverage using rosé champagne, splash of elderflower liqueur, and garnish with fresh strawberry slice to balance the sugary bar's richness.
  • Enhance with Lavender Earl Grey Tea: Brew a delicate, aromatic tea that provides a subtle floral contrast to the colorful, sweet cookie bars, offering a sophisticated non-alcoholic pairing option.
  • Serve with Pastel Cream Cheese Dip: Whip softened cream cheese with powdered sugar, vanilla, and pastel food coloring for a playful, spreadable accompaniment that echoes the bars' festive Easter theme.
  • Gluten-Free Option: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Variation: Swap butter with coconut oil, use flax eggs instead of regular eggs, and select plant-based sprinkles to create a dairy-free and egg-free version.
  • Low-Sugar Alternative: Substitute sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall calorie content while maintaining a sweet flavor profile.
  • Chocolate Lover's Version: Mix in dark chocolate chips alongside sprinkles for a rich, decadent cookie bar that adds extra depth and indulgence to the original recipe.

FAQs

  • Can I make these Easter Cookie Bars without sprinkles?

Yes, you can omit sprinkles or substitute with chocolate chips, mini marshmallows, or pastel-colored candies to match the Easter theme.

  • Are these cookie bars suitable for kids?

Absolutely! These bars are kid-friendly, easy to make, and fun with colorful sprinkles. Children can help mix ingredients or decorate the top.

  • How do I know when the bars are perfectly baked?

Look for golden brown edges and a slightly firm center. A toothpick inserted in the middle should come out with a few moist crumbs, indicating they’re done.

  • Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce or eliminate the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty. Unsalted butter gives you more control over the final seasoning.

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Easter Cookie Bars Recipe

Easter Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.5 from 14 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 12 1x

Description

Sweet Easter cookie bars bring festive cheer to springtime celebrations with layers of buttery goodness and pastel sprinkles. Delightful treats welcome family gatherings, promising smiles and memories you’ll cherish.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter

Binding and Leavening Agents:

  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Flavoring and Decoration:

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup candy sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Warm the oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a baking dish with parchment paper, ensuring complete coverage for easy removal.
  2. Blend softened butter and sugar using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes airy and pale, creating a smooth base for the cookie bars.
  3. Incorporate eggs individually into the butter mixture, beating thoroughly after each addition to create a uniform texture and prevent curdling.
  4. Mix in vanilla extract, which will enhance the overall flavor profile of the bars.
  5. Separately combine flour, baking powder, and salt, whisking to distribute ingredients evenly and eliminate potential lumps.
  6. Gradually integrate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring gently to maintain the batter’s delicate structure and prevent overmixing.
  7. Delicately fold half of the colorful candy sprinkles into the batter, ensuring even distribution throughout the mixture.
  8. Transfer the batter to the lined baking dish, using a spatula to spread it uniformly and create an even surface.
  9. Scatter the remaining sprinkles across the top of the batter, creating a festive and decorative appearance.
  10. Bake for 20-25 minutes, watching for a golden-brown color and firm edges as indicators of doneness.
  11. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before slicing into square servings.

Notes

  • Customize sprinkle colors to match seasonal themes or holiday celebrations for a festive touch.
  • Swap traditional rainbow sprinkles with pastel-colored Easter-specific sprinkles for a more thematic dessert.
  • Reduce baking time by 2-3 minutes for softer, gooier cookie bars that maintain a delicate texture.
  • Make the recipe gluten-free by substituting all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend to accommodate dietary restrictions.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 12
  • Calories: 150
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 100 mg
  • Fat: 6 g
  • Saturated Fat: 4 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 2 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 22 g
  • Fiber: 1 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
Jack Sullivan

Jack Sullivan

Founder & Culinary Storyteller

Expertise

Single-recipe development with a narrative approach, Culinary storytelling and food history, Seasonal and regional ingredient utilization, Home cooking techniques adapted for modern kitchens​

Education

New England Culinary Institute (Montpelier, VT)
Certificate in Culinary Arts

Focused on farm-to-table cooking, sustainable practices, and modern plating techniques.​

​Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts

Emphasized Southern Appalachian cuisine and local ingredient sourcing.​


Jack grew up surrounded by smoky skillets and handwritten recipes in the mountains of North Carolina. His roots in Appalachian cooking shaped the way he sees food – as something that connects people, tells a story, and holds meaning.
With hands-on training and a background in sustainable, regional cooking, Jack started Boil And Broil to make meaningful meals more accessible. He’s all about one-dish recipes that are simple to follow but rich with flavor and history.

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