King Cake Sugar Cookie Bars (Printable)

Colorful sugar cookie bars with festive icing and sprinkles, ideal for Mardi Gras celebrations.

# What you'll need:

→ Sugar Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 - 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
06 - 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
07 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
08 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
09 - 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
10 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Icing

11 - 2 cups powdered sugar
12 - 2 to 3 tablespoons milk
13 - 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

→ Decoration

14 - Purple, green, and gold sanding sugar or sprinkles

# Method:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on sides for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream together softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, approximately 2 to 3 minutes.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract, almond extract, and lemon zest, mixing until fully combined.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cinnamon until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing just until combined without overmixing.
06 - Transfer dough to prepared baking pan and spread evenly using a spatula to ensure uniform thickness.
07 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until edges are lightly golden and center is set. Avoid overbaking.
08 - Remove from oven and allow cookie base to cool completely in pan on a wire rack.
09 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable consistency is achieved.
10 - Spread icing evenly over cooled cookie base using a spatula.
11 - Immediately sprinkle purple, green, and gold sanding sugar in sections or decorative pattern over wet icing.
12 - Allow icing to set for approximately 30 minutes, then slice into 24 bars using a sharp knife.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They taste like a King Cake but arrive on a plate without the commitment of shaping and braiding dough.
  • The triple-color sprinkles give you instant party energy without a single decorating skill.
  • They're soft enough to eat with your hands at a crowded gathering, sturdy enough to survive being stacked in a box.
02 -
  • Don't overbake these—they'll firm up as they cool, and a slightly underbaked center stays softer and more delicious than a fully set one.
  • Apply the sanding sugar to wet icing, not dry; this is the difference between colors that pop and stick versus colors that look dull and fall off.
03 -
  • If you're doing the traditional hidden baby thing, wrap it in wax paper or foil and press it gently into the icing after spreading but before sprinkling—mark or remember which bar it's in, and always warn your guests.
  • For extra King Cake authenticity, add a pinch of nutmeg to the dry ingredients; it deepens the spice profile and makes people pause mid-bite trying to figure out what makes these taste so right.
Return