I love cookies of all kinds but I have a soft spot for snickerdoodles cookies.
However, it’s faster to make bars than it is to make cookies.
As I always say with bars, they are wham-bam-slap-it-in-a-pan whereas cookies require individual loving and more one-on-one attention.
And the frosting on top makes me extra happy.
I do like sugar cookies but I like snickerdoodle cookies more so I tweaked the ingredients and reduced the yield to an 8 x 8 pan because I didn’t “need” a 13 x 18 pan of bars.
I knew this post was going to be revealed on the day before Valentine’s Day, so I made pink vanilla cream cheese frosting, sprinkled the bars with red sanding sugar, and added red, white, and pink candy bits.
I hope Cupid approves.
These bars are like snickerdoodle cookies, but in bar form.
The cinnamon and sugar and the vanilla undertones tickled my snickerdoodle fancy.
The texture is soft and chewy, like a deep dish cookie.
The frosting is vanilla-infused, and has a little bit of a tang from the cream cheese, balancing the sweetness.
And everything tastes better when it’s pink and has candy bits and sprinkles on top.
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Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars with Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup light brown sugar, packed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
- ¼ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 ½ + cups powdered sugar
- splash of milk or water, if needed
- pink food coloring, optional
Instructions
- Bars – Preheat oven to 375F and prepare a 8×8 or 9×9-inch pan by lining it with foil and then spraying it with cooking spray. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter and sugars. Add the eggs, vanilla, cinnamon and mix until combined. Add the flour and mix until just combined. Pour batter into prepared pan. The batter will be very thick and sticky, like cookie dough. Use your hands if necessary to spread it evenly. Bake at 375F for 19 to 22 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in the middle of the pan comes out clean. While the bars are baking, prepare the frosting.
- Pink Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting – In a large mixing bowl, mix the butter and cream cheese until combined and it begins to fluff. Add the vanilla and powdered sugar (one-half cup at a time after 3 cups) and mix until desired frosting consistency is reached. I like very thick frosting and used 4 1/2 cups powdered sugar with a splash of half and half. Carefully add the food coloring, one drop at a time, until desired color is reached. After the bars have cooled, frost them. Optionally, garnish with sprinkles, candy bits, sanding sugar, or any optional garnish of your choice. Consider storing the bars in the refrigerator because of the cream cheese and butter in the frosting; the bars freeze well and will keep in the freezer for up to three months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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And if you haven’t already completed your Valentine’s Day baking (or springtime, baby-shower, bridal shower, Easter, or girlie birthday party baking needs), there’s:
Deep Dish Chocolate Chip Cookies with PB Cups & PB M&M’s
Peanut Butter and Jelly Thumbprint Cookies (No-Bake, Vegan, GF)
Strawberry Cake Mix Cookies with Vanilla Cream Cheese Frosting
And here’s a Valentine’s Day Roundup post with Food, Kitchen items, and shoes
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Thanks for mentioning me, Averie! I *love* the thought of snickerdoodle cookie bars. And that pink cream cheese frosting, yum!
No valentines day plans really … I am not a huge fan of valentines day. The hubby and I will probably cook dinner together and then I am going to work on my thesis. We go out together all the time, so no need to fight the crowds tomorrow!
I agree, bars are so much easier than cookies. These are gorgeous and i love the pink! My daughter is squealing for me to make these!!!
Hi Averie,
Your Sinckerdoodle Bars from Crumbs and Choas look awesome, I love the pink touch for Valentine Day.
It is fun cooking with you in the SRC!
Miz Helen
SRC #7
These look so good and moist!!
Those bars are SO pretty -and I’m a huge Snickerdoodles fan, so I know I’d love them!
I love this idea! Snickerdoodles are my favorite and they must taste even better with frosting and sprinkles.
Love this twist on the ordinary sugar cookie bar! So festive and delicious – such a great choice!
And very nice to “meet” you through SRC, Becca!
So pink and pretty. Love it!
MMmmmmm… I want all of those delicious snickerdoodle bars, please?
Your wood board is perfect. Great photos :)
Thanks, Kiran!
Quick recipe question. Is that supposed to say “1 cup white sugar”? It currently says “1 1 cup white sugar.” Just wanted to be sure, because I’m making these tonight. Thanks!
Yes fixed to one cup. Thanks for the catch. I re-read my posts like 19 times and still manage to apparently type too fast for my own good :)
Please report back and LMK how you like them if you end up making them! Thanks for reading :)
I made them and they turned out so delicious. They were a great alternative to traditional brownies and cookies that everyone else makes for Valentine’s Day. Thanks for the idea and recipe!
I’ve noticed the sugar cookie bars making the rounds on the blogs I read. Turning them into snickerdoodle bars is a great idea! Love snickerdoodles!
Yes, so many sugar cookie bars…I wanted to mix it up plus I prefer snickerdoodles so it was a win-win.
saw these this morning while sipping my coffee and just had to give ’em a whirl – so festive! ;) I was home visiting for the weekend, and my three younger brothers (all in their super-hungry teen years) DEVOURED them. This recipe would be perfect to send in with the kiddos to school, too – the recipe came together quickly & easily!
I’m all about quickly & easily & devoured :)
Yum! These look delicious! I wasn’t planning on baking anything for Valentine’s Day, but might be making a quick run to the store!
Hopefully there’s almost nothing you “need” that you don’t have on hand (you can use storebought frosting, too, obvi if you’re short on time). LMK if you do make ’em!
Wow, these look amazing….almost too pretty to eat! And I’m with you on the shoes comment too…as much as I love flowers I love shoes even more. My wardrobe is testament to that!
Shoes (or kitchen supplies) trump flowers, any day. Flowers die and the other stuff lives on. lol
I also have a soft spot for snickerdoodles. Fond childhood memories and me, my grandma, and mom in the kitchen making these for school bake sales. I haven’t made any in a while though! No plans for valentine’s day…just eat some chocolate or some of my mocha muffins with the family and cheers to love! hope you enjoy ur day :)
mocha muffins sound fab!