Our Lemon Cookie Bars recipe is a sweet and tart dessert that everyone will love. Topped with creamy lemon frosting and fun colorful sprinkles, these soft bars are perfect for any spring or summer party.
The recipe for Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars was initially published in March 2015. It was updated and republished in June 2025.
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Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars
I haven't looked at my cookie cutters in years since I started baking these funfetti cookie bars. Pressing the dough into a pan saves me so much time. There’s no need to roll, cut, bake, and frost each cookie individually.
Plus, cookie bars are easy to customize to your taste. I love experimenting with different extracts or fun add-ins to create a new flavor every time I make a new batch!
Lemon desserts always give me sunshine vibes. I'm looking at you, lemon loaf! Since it’s summer and citrus fruits are in season in Florida, I wanted to add a lemon twist to my sugar cookie bars.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- The sweet and tart flavor makes it a perfect dessert for spring or summer. It is easy to make, and the light lemon flavor is always a hit with friends and family.
- Baking and frosting the cookie bars in one pan makes life easier.
- Lemon buttercream frosting and sprinkles give it a fun, festive touch. You'll love how beautiful and sparkly these bars are.
- Brighten your mood and add a touch of sunshine to your day with these delicious cookie bars.
Main Ingredients
These lemon cookie bars are easy to make with simple ingredients, and the dough comes together in minutes. Scroll down to the recipe card to see the complete ingredient list.
- Butter - I prefer to use unsalted butter and adjust the flavor by adding salt myself. Set it out ahead of time so it's ready to cream into the sugar later.
- Sugar - A mixture of granulated sugar and brown sugar makes the cookie dough sweet and helps it stay soft.
- Egg - Helps to add moisture and hold the ingredients together.
- Fresh Lemon Juice - Freshly squeezed or bottled lemon juice can be used in this recipe. I have used both with great results.
- All-Purpose Flour - Too much flour can make baked goods dry and dense. For best results, fluff the flour, then spoon it into the measuring cup or use a kitchen scale for accuracy.
- Baking Powder - It helps the cookies rise as they bake. Don’t substitute baking soda, as it affects the texture and flavor when paired with lemon juice.
- Lemon Frosting and Sprinkles
How To Make Lemon Cookie Bars
Adding lemon juice to the dough and frosting is a great way to add some cheerful flavor to these lemon sugar cookies. The best part about these sugar cookies is that you bake and frost them in one baking dish.
- Make the cookie dough. Beat the butter and sugars in a large mixing bowl until light and creamy. Add the lemon juice and egg, and then mix again. Stir together the dry ingredients and slowly mix them into the butter mixture.
- Bake and cool. Press dough into an even layer in a greased glass pan, then place it in a preheated oven. Once done, place the pan on a wire rack and let the crust cool to room temperature.
- Make lemon frosting. Beat the butter, lemon juice, and salt until creamy. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Decorate and serve. Spread the homemade frosting on the cooled bars. Add colorful sprinkles and yellow sanding sugar to the top.
Storage Recommendations
Keep the frosted cookie bars in an airtight container on the counter for 4-5 days. The frosting helps to keep the dessert soft for days.
To freeze the cookie bars, wrap them in plastic wrap and foil, then store in a freezer bag. Freeze for 1-2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge and bring to room temperature before serving.
BruCrew Tips
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add one tablespoon of lemon zest to both the dough and the frosting. Do not add more lemon juice because this will alter the texture of the bars.
- Try other fresh citrus flavors. Lime, grapefruit, key lime, or even orange bars would be delicious.
- The dough is sticky. I found that using a rubber spatula made it easier to press the dough into the pan. You can also lightly wet your hands with water, then press the batter down evenly.
- If you want to skip the frosting, sprinkle the cookie batter with coarse sanding sugar to give it a shimmery crust.
- Don't overbake! Unless you like dry and crumbly treats.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before adding the frosting. Even a little bit of warmth can cause the frosting to melt and soak into the cookies.
- Want to use a different frosting? This creamy vanilla frosting or this marshmallow buttercream would be delicious too.
- Tint the frosting yellow or change the sprinkles based on the holiday or theme.
FAQs
Make sure your butter is at room temperature before mixing. If you are using a hand mixer, it will take longer for the dough to come together. Keep mixing until you get a soft, pliable dough.
Yes, they do taste better after they sit for a day. The flavors deepen, and the frosting makes the cookies so soft and delicious.
Run a long, sharp knife under hot water, then dry it off before slicing. Wipe the blade clean between cuts, and reheat it under hot water every few slices for smooth, clean edges.
More Easy Cookie Bars
- Congo Bars
- Butterscotch Bars
- Snickerdoodle Cookie Bars
- Unicorn Sugar Cookies
- S'mores Sugar Cookie Recipe
- Best Lemon Bars
Do you love a recipe you tried from Inside BruCrew Life?
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Recipe
Lemon Cookie Bars Recipe
Our Lemon Cookie Bars recipe is a sweet and tart dessert that everyone will love. Topped with creamy lemon frosting and fun colorful sprinkles, these soft bars are perfect for any spring or summer party.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- ½ cup packed brown sugar
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 3 cups all purpose flour (360g)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon table salt
- Lemon Buttercream
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray. (I used a glass Pyrex)
- Beat the butter and sugars until creamy. Add the egg and lemon juice and mix again.
- Stir together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly mix this into the butter mixture until a soft, dough-like consistency forms.
- Spread the dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 16-18 minutes. (If using a metal pan, bake 13-14 minutes.) Let cool completely.
- Spread the lemon buttercream on top of the cooled bars. Top with sprinkles and sanding sugar right away. Store in a sealed container on the counter.
Notes
- For a stronger lemon flavor, add one tablespoon of lemon zest to both the dough and the frosting. Do not add more lemon juice because this will alter the texture of the bars.
- Try other fresh citrus flavors. Lime, grapefruit, key lime, or even orange bars would be delicious.
- The dough is sticky. I found that using a rubber spatula made it easier to press the dough into the pan. You can also lightly wet your hands with water, then press the batter down evenly.
- If you want to skip the frosting, sprinkle the cookie batter with coarse sanding sugar to give it a shimmery crust.
- Don't overbake! Unless you like dry and crumbly treats.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before adding the frosting. Even a little bit of warmth can cause the frosting to melt and soak into the cookies.
- Want to use a different frosting? This creamy vanilla frosting or this marshmallow buttercream would be delicious too.
- Tint the frosting yellow or change the sprinkles based on the holiday or theme.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 521Total Fat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 95mgCarbohydrates: 112gFiber: 0gSugar: 98gProtein: 2g
Nutrition facts are an estimate and are not guaranteed to be accurate. If you need special diet advice, please see a registered dietician.
LuAnn Braley
Shared to Pinterest and FB. Mouth watering. Waiting for your baked goodies to be available by mail order! :O)
Jocelyn
Thank you so much for sharing!!! And unfortunately you will be waiting a long time for the mail order option. Sharing recipes is so much easier to do 🙂
Trish+-+Mom+On+Timeout
My new favorite bars. These look perfect Jocelyn!
Jocelyn
Thank you Trish!!!!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
My love for lemon desserts is never-ending! These sugar cookie bars look so soft and chewy, girl! Love them. And I also adore yummy-scented body lotions and sprays but I TOTALLY know where you're coming from! Lol!
Jocelyn
Yeah, I still keep slathering the food smelling lotion on because I just love how good I smell. At least that day it masked the nasty gym smell 😉
Amanda
Love this! Bar cookies are so much easier and every bit as good!!!
Jocelyn
I don't know if I will ever go back to the regular sugar cookie bars...I may be converted for life 🙂
amanda @ fake ginger
I've got a Strawberry Cheesecake lotion that smells SO GOOD but I can't wear it because it makes me hungry!
These bars look so delicious! I want to go make them now!
Jocelyn
Strawberry Cheesecake lotion??? Oh, my word! I seriously have to find some! That sounds amazing! I totally want to smell like that 😉
Chels+R.
Those look absolutely perfect! I love anything with a sugar cookie body 😉
Jocelyn
I'm right there with you!!!
Elle @ Only Taste Matters
Lol on the body butter. I totally get it. I've been using a vanilla-scented lotion and for a long time kept craving white chocolate, 🙂
I LOVE the idea of a sugar cookie that doesn't need rolling! I live in NYC and our kitchens are so small there is just no room. I am always looking for ways to avoid rolling dough! Thank you for sharing. Pinned!
Jocelyn
It was hilarious because I seriously couldn't figure out why the gym smelled so good that day...then it hit me! These bar cookies are perfect for small kitchens. Less prep and less work always win!
Cyndi @ My Kitchen Craze
These look so good! I am obsessed with bars and this just looks out of this world! I think I need to look into that lotion. You made me giggle about gnawing at your arm! It reminded me I have some episodes of Walking Dead to watch haha!! So making these for Easter! Pinned! 😉
Jocelyn
LOL! My husband and son watch The Walking Dead, so I hear all about those kind of things! I hope you enjoy these bars! Thanks for pinning!
Julianne @ Beyond Frosting
I love sugar cookie bars! The lemon is a perfect flavor for spring!
Jocelyn
Thank you so much!! It is such a perfect spring flavor!!!
Averie @ Averie Cooks
The best of all worlds rolled into one! The ease of bars, the flavor of lemon, meets sugar cookies...and that frosting! I would dive right in!!
Jocelyn
These bars are definitely the best of both worlds!!! I have to admit that I dove in and didn't look back until they were gone. So good!!
Medha @ Whisk & Shout
These look amazing! No one has time every day for roll out cookies, and these are even faster than slice and bake! Love that frosting, too 🙂
Jocelyn
Thank you!!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I wonder if the lotion would have less calories? LOL Love these, obviously. Is there anything better than a lemon sugar cookie???
Jocelyn
Haha! Yes, but it probably wouldn't taste the same! I knew you would love these lemon bars 🙂
Jenny Flake
These are so fun and perfect for Spring! Love!!
Jocelyn
Thank you 🙂
Marye
Love these! I agree, bar cookies are perfect most of the time because they are just so easy! These are gorgeous. Pinning.
Jocelyn
Thank you so much Marye!!! Easy bars always win out!!
Christie
I just love these cookie bars. There are sprinkles and frosting on top of a cookie. What is not to absolutely adore.
Jocelyn
I agree...what's not to love 🙂
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice
These sugar cookie bars look gorgeous, Jocelyn! Just what I need on this snowy Friday morning. Spring is on the way, right? 🙂 Pinning these cuties!
Jocelyn
This week it looks like spring is here. I hope you get some spring weather soon too! Thanks for sharing!!!
Meg @ The Housewife in Training Files
NOW this is my kinda sugar cookie! I always say I love cookie bars because I can make a whole batch much quicker! Plus they are more forgiving they don't all turn up the same size 😉 And sugar cookies are my weakness.....
Jocelyn
Yes!!! This way every single cookie looks the same...and in so much less time 🙂
Taylor @ Food Faith Fitness
Sugar cookie body butter?! Where can I get my mitts on that?!
And I LOVE making sugar cookie bars....this girl aint got no time for a rolling pin. That lemon touch is perfection for Spring munchin'! Pinned!
Jocelyn
That body butter is the bomb. Check out the link above to get it through amazon 🙂 And thank you so much for the pin love!
Mir
I love lemon, and putting them in these amazing cookie bars just made my happy self jump up and down. Especially with frosting!
Jocelyn
Yay for happy jumping 🙂
Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg
Jocelyn - I'm all about the bar cookie life. One pan is such an easier way to clean up. The lemon flavor matches perfectly with the sugar cookies. And frosting?! Who can say no to cookies covered in frosting? Not me! Your comment about smelling like marshmallows at the gym is hilarious. I'd totally do the same thing.
Jocelyn
I am all about the easy one pan treats these days. Less time prepping and decorating is always a win win!!!