4th of July Sugar Cookie Bar Dessert Kids Activities Blog

Sugar cookies are a tradition in our family. We make them for EVERY holiday, and this 4th of July Sugar Cookie Bar Dessert is one of our favorites!

We decided to make sugar cookies for the fourth this year, but we made this 4th of July dessert with a twist… Kid-friendly, mom-approved sugar cookie bars for our 4th of July BBQ. They are VERY simple, take about 1/8 of the time it takes to make our traditional sugar cookies, and taste just as good (if not better). You will drool just smelling these!

What You Need To Make This Easy 4th Of July Dessert Recipe:

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Sugar Cookie Bars

(based off a recipe I found from A Little Bit Crunchy)

1 c. unsalted butter; softened

2 c. sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

5 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

How To Make This 4th of July Sugar Cookie Bar Dessert:

First, mix the dry ingredients in a medium-sized bowl, and then set aside.
Next, in a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Then, add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
Add the vanilla, and then mix again.
Now, slowly add the dry ingredients, and mix until combined.
Spread batter into a greased 10×15 inch pan (original recipe calls for a 13×18 inch pan but I like my bars on the thicker side).
Bake at 375 for 12-15min.
They are done when the top just starts to turn a light golden color, and you can stick a toothpick in and it comes out clean. Do not over bake or they will end up dry.
Frost with your favorite frosting (either homemade or canned works just fine). Add some patriotic sprinkles, and you are good to go!

How to Make Homemade Frosting

If you’re looking for a yummy frosting recipe, I always just mix 1 stick of softened butter with 1/2 cup shortening, 4-5 cups confectioners sugar, 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla, and then add milk (usually just a few tablespoons) until you get it to the right consistency.

Ways to Involve Kids in Dessert Prep

Kids can measure and pour ingredients.
Older kids can run a stand mixer. My seven-year-old is a master at the Kitchenaid controls!
Spreading the dough in the pan was tricky because it was a bit sticky, but there’s no reason why they can’t try! Manipulating dough is a great sensory experience, and I’m sure they will have fun!
Of course there’s the frosting. These cookie bars will need to be frosted, and you will need a frosting tester! Frosting tester is a coveted job in our house when I make frosting. The frosting has to keep being tweaked and tasted until it is just so. No wonder it always takes so many tries to get the ‘perfect’ frosting!
Lastly, there’s the sprinkles. What kid does not love putting sprinkles on cookies?!

The thing I love about this recipe is that it works for any holiday, just by changing the sprinkles you use! Don’t tell the kids, but I think I may be making these more often.

More Yummy Dessert Recipes to Try

Love sugar cookies? Here are some other great recipes:

4th of July Crafts, Activities, and Recipes

Looking for more ways to celebrate Independence Day? Try these fun ideas with your family:

What’s your favorite 4th of July dessert? Comment below!

4th of July Sugar Cookie Bar Dessert