My husband is a sucker for sugar cookies. I, however, would much rather have a nice brownie (like these Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars) over a sugar cookie on any given day.
Top it with thick, fudgy icing and that is a sugar cookie I could get excited about.
They are pretty much amazing. I love making this bar version of sugar cookies because it literally takes only a couple of minutes.
Recipe Ingredient Notes
To make Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars, you will need the following ingredients:
Bars
- Butter, softened
- Brown sugar
- Sugar
- Egg
- Vanilla
- Sour cream, (could also substitute plain Greek yogurt)
- Flour
- Cocoa powder
- Baking powder
- Baking soda
- Salt
Frosting
- Butter, softened
- Milk
- Vanilla
- Cocoa
- Powdered sugar
- Sprinkles, (optional topping)
Equipment Needed
For this recipe, you only need a few simple kitchen tools. We recommend using the following equipment:
How to make Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan (or spray with non-stick cooking spray).
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Add in the egg, vanilla, and sour cream and mix until completely incorporated.
- Add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
- Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Press the dough into the prepared pan (I had to use my hands to press the thick dough all the way to the edges of the pan) and bake for 13-14 minutes (be sure not to over bake or they will become dry).
- While waiting for the bars to cool, make your frosting by mixing all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth (I used a hand mixer). Add more powdered sugar or milk until you reach desired consistency and spread on top of cooled bars.
- If desired, top frosting with sprinkles.
Storage Suggestions
If you manage to have any leftover Bars + Brownies, these can store well if prepped appropriately. Once they have cooled completely, here is how you can store it:
- Counter: Store bars and brownies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If your kitchen is particularly warm, consider refrigerating instead to prevent them from getting too soft or melty.
- Refrigerator: Place in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week. Let them come to room temperature before serving for the best texture and flavor.
- Freezer: To freeze, make sure bars and brownies are completely cooled and unfrosted. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap (or Press & Seal) and then place in a freezer-safe bag or container. For easier portioning, wrap individual squares before freezing. Don’t forget to label with the date. They’ll stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Add your favorite topping to these Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars:
For these, I love to add sprinkles on top, however, you could easily add any favorite brownie or cookie toppings.
These would be delicious with:
- Crushed Candy Bars
- Crushed Oreo Cookies
- Peppermint Candy Cane Shavings (if over the holidays)
- Orange Sticks
- Orange Zest
- Sliced Strawberries
What could I replace the sour cream with in these Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars?
I know what you are thinking, sour cream in brownies? The answer is yes. It makes them so moist and delicious.
However, if you are looking for a healthier alternative, plain Greek yogurt will work great. I prefer the sour cream because it bakes a little better, the the plain Greek yogurt will also work. We don’t recommend regular yogurt, just Greek yogurt. It has a similar texture and flavor or sour cream, so it makes the best replacement.
Enjoy More Delicious Bar Recipes
There’s nothing better than an easy brownie or bar recipe. Check out our comprehensive list of brownies, bars, and blondies here.
- Gooey Golden Grahams S’mores Treats
- Congo Bars
- Frosted Graham Cracker Bars
- Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Chocolate Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ½ cup brown sugar
- ½ cup sugar
- 1 egg
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- ¼ cup sour cream, (could also substitute plain Greek yogurt)
- 2 cups flour
- ½ cup cocoa powder
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- ½ cup butter, softened
- ¼ cup milk
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
- 3 Tablespoons cocoa
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- ⅓ cup sprinkles, (optional topping)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350℉. Grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan (or spray with non-stick cooking spray).
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, brown sugar, and sugar. Add in the egg, vanilla, and sour cream and mix until completely incorporated.
- Add in the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt and mix well.
- Stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt. Press the dough into the prepared pan (I had to use my hands to press the thick dough all the way to the edges of the pan) and bake for 13-14 minutes (be sure not to over bake or they will become dry).
- While waiting for the bars to cool, make your frosting by mixing all ingredients together in a bowl until smooth (I used a hand mixer). Add more powdered sugar or milk until you reach desired consistency and spread on top of cooled bars.
- If desired, top frosting with sprinkles.
Notes
Nutrition
Did You Make This Recipe?We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave a review or a question in the comment section below the post.
Two of my favorite things, chocolate and sugar cookies. Love!
These sound delicious! I always love trying anything new and familiar with chocolate in it. Pinned!
These cookies look wonderful! The fact that the frosting is about as thick as the cookie itself gives them two big thumbs up in my book! 🙂
Sooooo good! I needed to make something quick for a pot luck. I found these and made them in a hurry. They were still warm and the frosting kind of melted, but who cares! My family loved them! Definitely going into my permant cookie recipe box!
I just made these and they are really good! I doubled the recipe and put it on a cookie sheet, 12×18, I think. I didn’t double the frosting though because I’m not a huge frosting fan. It was just the right amount for me. I think next time when I double them, I might not add quite as much flour. They are really good, but I like them a little more dense. Great recipe! Thanks for sharing!!
My 14 yo. daughter just made these for our Sunday night treat. She only baked them 13 min. and they were just a bit dry. We’d probably shorten the baking time a bit more, but otherwise these were yummy!
Just made these. Very pretty bars, look so delicious. And very yummy. I had to use light mayo in place of sour cream cause that’s all I had. Turned out great. Thanks for the recipe!
The frosting makes these brownies. I didn’t like the cookie base. The flavor wasn’t very good. I baked them for 12 minutes and that was perfect. The frosting was delicious. I’ll keep the frosting recipe but ditch the brownie base.
These were one of the desserts in our six sister menu plan this month and they were so delicious! We tend to think of them more as a brownie than a cookie because of their density but that doesn’t change our love for them just what we call them! 🙂 They have that appealing homemade taste to them, the kind where when you take a bite you instantly know that it was made with pantry ingredients and not from a box and something that reminds me of my childhood. These are perfect to bring to a pot luck or as part of a meal train meal. We just love them! I’m so glad I found your meal plans! Thank you!
I just made these tonight and baked them about two minutes less than called for and made sure to let them cool completely before frosting. They are AMAZING!!! Definitely a must have for chocoholics! My husband is equally obsessed. Thank you!
Can these be made ahead and frozen?
These can be made ahead of time and frozen in an airtight or freezer container.
I was looking for a cookie recipe to make so my husband could take them to work. I ran across this recipe and decided to give it a go. I am so glad I did. This is one amazing cookie bar. Now my husband has a snack for his coworkers in the morning. We give this recipe 5 stars.
Thanks Bobbi! We love hearing this. So glad you liked these sugar cookie bars.
I did not care for these bars . The frosting made the bars . I kinda thought the bars were tasteless .
The frosting was a keeper. The cookie bar part had a weird texture and not good flavor. Usually love all your recipes. Will use the frosting recipe on regular brownies though.
Everyone in my family loves these! Whenever we need a sweet, this is at the top of the list.
These are a family favorite. So glad to hear that your family loves them too!