Name: Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1/2 cup butter; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 tbsp brown sugar; 1 large egg; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/4 tsp almond extract (optional); 1/2 tsp baking powder; 1 cup all purpose flour; 3 tbsp cornstarch; 1/4 tsp salt; 4 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted, softened; 1 cup powdered sugar; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 3 tbsp heavy cream; Spooky sprinkles; Halloween eyeball candies

Jump to Recipe· 4.8 from 13 reviews

Hey there, friend! If you’re hunting for a fun and festive treat this fall, I can’t wait to share my Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe with you. These bars are soft, buttery, and just begging to be topped with your spookiest sprinkles and eyeball candies. Trust me, they’re fan-freaking-tastic and perfect for any Halloween party or cozy night in.

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Why This Recipe Works

Perfect Texture: The combination of cornstarch and baking powder creates soft, melt-in-your-mouth cookie bars.
Simple Ingredients: Easy-to-find pantry staples mean no complicated shopping trips.
Quick Bake Time: Just 15 minutes in the oven for a speedy treat you can whip up anytime.
Customizable Frosting: The creamy vanilla frosting pairs perfectly with a spooky twist of sprinkles and eyeball candies.

Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients & Why They Work

Every ingredient here plays a starring role in giving you those soft and buttery sugar cookie bars you’ll love. Plus, I’ve got some little tips to help you pick the best versions for that next-level flavor.

Butter: Use real butter for the richest taste and perfect tenderness. I usually let mine soften at room temperature so it creams easily with sugar.
Granulated Sugar: Balances sweetness and helps create that tender crumb.
Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle hint of caramel depth and moisture to the cookie base.
Egg: Adds structure and helps hold everything together without making the bars tough.
Vanilla Extract: A must for warm, inviting cookie flavor.
Almond Extract (Optional): Just a splash gives a lovely nutty note that’s unexpected and delicious.
Baking Powder: Gives just enough lift for softness without puffing up into a cake.
All-purpose Flour: The foundation for the perfect texture.
Cornstarch: This little addition keeps the bars ultra-soft and tender—your secret weapon!
Salt: Enhances all the flavors and balances sweetness.
Powdered Sugar (for Frosting): Creates a silky smooth frosting that’s easy to spread or pipe.
Heavy Cream: Lightens the frosting for that perfect fluffy texture.
Spooky Sprinkles & Halloween Eyeball Candies: Just have fun here—your kids (and yourself!) will love decking them out!

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Note: You’ll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Tweak to Your Taste

I love making this Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe my own by playing around a bit with extracts and toppings—you totally should, too! It’s super versatile and forgiving.

Extract Swap: If almond isn’t your thing, try a splash of peppermint or orange extract for a festive twist—I swear it adds that extra pop.
Frosting Flavors: I’ve even added cocoa powder for a chocolatey frosting or piped on cream cheese frosting for more tang.
Dietary Modifications: You can swap in gluten-free flour blend to keep these bars gluten-free. Just note the texture might slightly vary.
Decorating Fun: Use edible markers on white chocolate eyes or add edible glitter for a magical Halloween vibe!

Step-by-Step: How I Make Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prep Your Pan & Preheat

First things first: get your oven preheated to 350°F. I line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper—trust me, this makes getting those bars out a breeze and keeps them intact.

Step 2: Cream Butter & Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together until you get this nice, creamy texture. I usually scrape down the sides of my bowl a couple times here to make sure everything’s perfectly mixed.

Step 3: Add Egg & Extracts

Next, mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract if you’re using it. The almond is optional but oh so good. Mix just until combined—you don’t want to overdo it here or the texture can get off.

Step 4: Incorporate Dry Ingredients

In goes the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Fold it all in gently—stop mixing as soon as you don’t see flour patches anymore. Overmixing will make the bars dense instead of tender.

Step 5: Bake the Cookie Base

Spread that batter evenly into your prepared pan and pop it in the oven for 15 minutes. The center will look a bit raw when you take it out, but I promise, it’ll finish setting as it cools—no worries!

Step 6: Whip Up the Frosting

While the bars cool, beat your softened butter with powdered sugar until smooth. Add heavy cream and vanilla, then whip until the frosting looks light and fluffy. This frosting is dreamy and melts in your mouth.

Step 7: Frost & Decorate

Spread that frosting across your cooled cookie bars. This step is where you get to have crazy fun—top with spooky sprinkles and eyeball candies to turn these simple bars into Halloween show-stoppers!

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Pro Tips for Making Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Don’t Overmix: When adding flour, fold gently to keep bars tender and soft—not tough.
Cool Completely: Let bars cool fully before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt into the cookie base.
Soft Butter for Frosting: Using room temp butter in the frosting makes it so creamy and spreadable.
Easy Release: Use parchment paper with an overhang on two sides to lift the bars easily from the pan.

How to Serve Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

This image shows several square cookie bars arranged close together on a white marbled surface. Each cookie bar has two layers: a thick, light brown base with a soft, crumbly texture and a thick top layer of smooth, bright orange frosting. The frosting is decorated with small candy eyes that are white with black pupils, and small round and stick sprinkles in white, black, and orange colors, scattered unevenly. One cookie bar is placed on top of another, showing the thickness and texture of both layers. The photo is focused closely with a soft background blur, creating a warm, inviting feel. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I always go all out with spooky sprinkles—think little bats, ghosts, and pumpkins. Those eyeball candies are a must for me; they add that perfect eerie vibe and a chewy surprise inside.

Side Dishes

Pair these bars with a warm cup of spiced apple cider or a rich hot chocolate with whipped cream. They also go great beside a bowl of popcorn for a fun Halloween movie night snack.

Creative Ways to Present

For parties, I like to cut these bars into tiny bite-sized squares and place them on a tiered stand with Halloween-themed cupcake liners. Another fun idea is wrapping individual bars in cellophane tied with orange and black ribbons—perfect for trick-or-treaters or party favors!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

If you have leftovers (which you might!), store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. I usually keep mine in a cake container to prevent the frosting from getting squished.

Freezing

I’ve frozen unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic and foil before baking them later, but you can also freeze fully frosted bars—just pop them in the freezer uncovered for a couple hours, then wrap well to avoid freezer burn.

Reheating

Reheat frozen unfrosted bars in a warm oven at 325°F for about 10 minutes. For frosted bars, I recommend thawing in the fridge overnight and serving chilled or at room temp—they’re just as delicious that way!

FAQs

Can I make the Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe gluten-free?

Absolutely! Simply replace the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend. Keep an eye on the texture; sometimes you might need to add a tablespoon or two more cornstarch to keep them tender.
Why does the center of the bars look underbaked when I take them out?

This is totally normal! The bars continue baking slightly as they cool, so if the edges are set and golden, the center will firm up without overbaking the treat and drying it out.
Can I make the frosting ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare the frosting a few hours in advance and keep it covered in the fridge. When ready to use, give it a quick whip to bring back its fluffiness before spreading.
What’s the best way to store decorated bars to keep sprinkles intact?

Store bars in a single layer and avoid stacking to preserve the decorations. If stacking is necessary, place parchment or wax paper between layers.

Final Thoughts

This Spooky Halloween Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe has become my go-to Halloween dessert because it’s easy, delicious, and a big hit with everyone who tries it. Whether you’re baking for your family, a school party, or your neighborhood bash, these bars bring that perfect sweet-spooky vibe that’s hard to beat. So grab your mixing bowl and sprinkles—and make these bars your new Halloween obsession!