Poptart Cookie Bars (Printer-friendly)

Soft sugar cookie base with strawberry jam filling, vanilla glaze and sprinkles.

# What you'll need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
05 - 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
06 - ½ tsp baking powder
07 - ½ tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - ¾ cup (240 g) strawberry jam or preferred flavor

→ Glaze & Topping

09 - 1 ¼ cups (150 g) powdered sugar
10 - 2-3 tbsp milk
11 - ¼ tsp vanilla extract
12 - Sprinkles for decoration

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
06 - Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
07 - Spread jam evenly over the dough, leaving a small border around the edges.
08 - Crumble remaining dough over the jam layer, pressing gently.
09 - Bake for 23-27 minutes until edges are golden and center is set.
10 - Let cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
11 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth and pourable.
12 - Drizzle glaze over cooled bars and immediately top with sprinkles.
13 - Let set for 15 minutes, then cut into bars.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The soft sugar cookie base is perfectly buttery and tender, not dry or cakey like some bar desserts
  • These capture that beloved breakfast pastry nostalgia in a form that feels homemade and special
02 -
  • Press the dough evenly into the pan or youll get thick edges and thin spots that bake unevenly
  • Let these cool completely before glazing or your icing will melt right off and pool in the corners
03 -
  • Chill your dough for 15 minutes before pressing into the pan if its feeling too soft and sticky
  • Add a pinch of salt to your glaze, it rounds out the sweetness and makes everything taste more professional

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