Poptart Cookie Bars (Printable)

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

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Base

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

→ Filling

08 - ¾ cup strawberry jam

→ Glaze & Topping

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

# Steps:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The soft sugar cookie base tastes like childhood but better because you made it yourself
  • You can switch up the jam flavors to match any season or craving
  • The glaze sets perfectly so these bars travel well to picnics and potlucks
02 -
  • Warm bars will make your glaze melt right off so patience during cooling is non negotiable
  • If your dough feels too sticky to press into the pan chill it for 10 minutes
  • The glaze should be thick enough to leave a trail but thin enough to pour easily
03 -
  • Warm your jam slightly in the microwave for 10 seconds if it is too thick to spread easily
  • Use a kitchen scale to measure the flour for the most consistent results every time

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