Poptart Cookie Bars (Printable)

Soft sugar cookie bars with strawberry jam filling, vanilla glaze, and colorful sprinkles for a nostalgic treat.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
06 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - ¾ cup strawberry jam or preferred flavor

→ Glaze & Topping

09 - 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
10 - 2–3 tablespoons milk
11 - ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Sprinkles for decoration

# How To Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2–3 minutes.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Avoid overmixing.
06 - Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using lightly floured hands or a spatula.
07 - Spread jam evenly over the dough layer, leaving a small border around the edges to prevent overflow during baking.
08 - Crumble remaining dough over jam layer. Press gently to adhere without completely flattening the crumble texture.
09 - Bake for 23–27 minutes until edges are golden brown and center appears set.
10 - Allow bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before glazing, approximately 1 hour.
11 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Adjust consistency with additional milk if necessary.
12 - Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled bars. Immediately sprinkle with decorative sprinkles before glaze sets.
13 - Let glaze set for 15 minutes. Using parchment overhang, lift bars from pan and cut into 16 equal squares.

# Expert Suggestions:

01 -
  • These bars capture everything you loved about toaster pastries but with a homemade texture that is infinitely better
  • The soft cookie base pairs perfectly with the tart jam layer while that sweet glaze adds just the right amount of nostalgic fun
02 -
  • Resist the urge to cut these while they are still warm or the jam layer will ooze everywhere
  • The dough will seem thick but that is exactly what prevents the jam from sinking to the bottom
  • Room temperature ingredients make all the difference between a cookie bar that spreads evenly and one that stays in stubborn clumps
03 -
  • Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it feels too sticky to work with in a warm kitchen
  • Use an offset spatula to spread the jam evenly without disturbing the cookie base underneath

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