Monster Eye Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups vanilla buttercream frosting
- Gel food coloring (purple, lime green, or bright orange)
- Candy eyeballs in various sizes
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a slight overhang on the sides. This will make it much easier to lift the bars out once they are cooled and decorated.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together using an electric mixer. Continue mixing on medium-high speed for about 2 to 3 minutes until the mixture is light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract to the butter mixture. Beat again until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure everything is evenly incorporated.
- In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
- Transfer the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan. Use your hands or the back of a spoon to press the dough into an even layer, reaching all the corners of the pan.
- Bake for 22 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are very lightly golden brown and the center is set. Remove from the oven and place the pan on a wire rack. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Divide your frosting into small bowls if you want multiple colors. Add a drop of gel food coloring to each bowl and stir until you reach your desired “monster” hue. Gel coloring is preferred for the most vibrant results.
- Spread the colored frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. While the frosting is still wet, press candy eyeballs of different sizes into the top. You can group them together or scatter them randomly for a chaotic monster look. Slice into squares and serve.