Poptart Cookie Bars (Printable)

Soft sugar cookie bars with strawberry jam filling and vanilla glaze, topped with sprinkles for a fun nostalgic treat.

# What You'll Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
05 - 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
06 - ½ teaspoon baking powder
07 - ½ teaspoon salt

→ Filling

08 - ¾ cup strawberry jam or preferred flavor

→ Glaze & Topping

09 - 1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
10 - 2-3 tablespoons milk
11 - ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
12 - Sprinkles for decoration

# How to Make It:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, beat softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy, approximately 2-3 minutes.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Stir in vanilla extract.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt until evenly distributed.
05 - Gradually incorporate dry ingredients into wet mixture, stirring until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating a smooth, uniform layer.
07 - Spread strawberry jam evenly over the dough base, maintaining a small border around the edges.
08 - Crumble remaining dough over the jam layer. Press gently to adhere without compressing completely.
09 - Bake for 23-27 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is set. Remove from oven when done.
10 - Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before adding glaze, approximately 1 hour.
11 - Whisk powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract together until smooth and pourable. Add additional milk if needed for proper consistency.
12 - Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled bars. Immediately sprinkle with colorful sprinkles before glaze sets.
13 - Allow glaze to set for 15 minutes. Using parchment overhang, lift bars from pan and cut into 16 squares.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The soft cookie base tastes like your favorite sugar cookie but with a surprise fruit center
  • They come together faster than you can preheat the oven and clean up is just one pan
  • The glaze and sprinkles make them look fancy enough for parties but casual enough for Tuesday night treats
02 -
  • The dough will seem thick and slightly crumbly but that is exactly right for pressing into the pan
  • If your jam is very thick, warm it slightly in the microwave for easier spreading
  • These bars actually taste better on day two when the flavors have had time to meld together
03 -
  • Chill the dough for 15 minutes if it feels too sticky to work with
  • Warm the knife under hot water between cuts for perfectly clean slices

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