Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe

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If you have a sweet tooth that craves the nostalgic joy of childhood treats with a grown-up twist, you are in for a delightful surprise with this Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe. Imagine buttery, tender cookie layers hugging a luscious strawberry preserves filling, crowned with a gleaming vanilla glaze and a shower of colorful rainbow sprinkles. These bars are not just a dessert; they are a celebration of all the flavors and textures you love about classic poptarts, but in a convenient, shareable cookie bar form. Whether you’re baking for a crowd or treating yourself, these bars deliver a perfect balance of buttery, fruity, and sugary goodness with every bite.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Simple yet essential, the ingredients for this Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe are what make it truly shine. Each element plays a vital role—from the creamy butter that brings richness, to the strawberry preserves that add bright fruitiness, and the powdered sugar glaze that finishes with sweetness and a touch of elegance.

• ½ cup unsalted butter, room temperature: Provides the rich, buttery base that makes the cookie bars tender and flavorful.
• 1 cup granulated sugar: Sweetens and helps create a light, fluffy crumb when creamed with butter.
• 2 large eggs, room temperature: Bind the ingredients together and add moisture for the perfect cookie texture.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste: Adds warm, aromatic depth to the cookie dough.
• 2 ½ cups + 2 tbsp all-purpose flour: The foundation for structure, giving the bars that satisfying chewiness without toughness.
• ½ teaspoon fine sea salt: Balances sweetness and intensifies all the flavors in the dough.
• ½ teaspoon baking soda: Provides just enough leavening for a tender crumb without puffing the bars too much.
• 2/3 cup strawberry preserves: Bursts with fruity sweetness that’s iconic in any Poptart-inspired treat.
• 1 cup powdered sugar: For the glaze that brings a silky sweetness to the final presentation.
• 1 ½ – 2 tablespoons whole milk: Loosens the powdered sugar into a perfect pourable glaze.
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract: Enhances the glaze with rich flavor to marry perfectly with the strawberry filling.
• Rainbow sprinkles for decorating: Adds a playful pop of color and texture, making these bars irresistible to both kids and adults.

How to Make Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Preheat Oven

Start by lining an 8×8 inch metal baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over to make removing the bars easier later. Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C) so it’s ready to bake your creation as soon as the bars come together.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

Use a stand mixer to cream the softened unsalted butter with granulated sugar for about three minutes or until the mix is light, airy, and fluffy. This step is critical—it creates tiny air pockets that lend tenderness and lift to the cookie bars. Don’t forget to scrape down the bowl for even mixing.

Step 3: Mix in Eggs and Vanilla

Add in the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing just until combined. The eggs bring moisture and help bind the dough, while the vanilla deepens the flavor, turning simple dough into something special. Another scrape of the bowl ensures all ingredients blend seamlessly.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients into Dough

Gradually stir in the all-purpose flour, fine sea salt, and baking soda until the dough begins to come together. The salt will amplify the sweetness and flavor, and the baking soda adds just the right bit of lift for tender bars. You want the dough cohesive but not overly mixed.

Step 5: Chill the Dough

Transfer the dough to the fridge for 20 minutes. This chill step firms it up, making it easier to handle and ensures the cookie bars hold their shape during baking.

Step 6: Press First Layer of Dough

Divide the dough in half. Press one half evenly into the prepared pan. Take your time here—getting a smooth, even layer helps the bars bake uniformly and looks polished when sliced.

Step 7: Freeze First Layer

Lift the parchment paper with the dough layer and place it on a baking sheet in the freezer. Chilling this layer firm allows you to easily assemble and seal the sandwich layers later without squishing the preserves filling.

Step 8: Press Second Layer and Add Filling

Return the parchment to the baking pan and press the remaining half of the dough evenly inside. Then gently spread the strawberry preserves over the dough—this luscious fruity layer makes these bars sing with flavor.

Step 9: Top with Frozen Dough Layer

Remove the first, frozen dough layer from the freezer and peel off the parchment. Place this chilled layer atop the preserves, pressing firmly to seal all the layers together. This technique locks in the sweet filling, giving you those beautiful, distinct layers like a classic poptart.

Step 10: Bake the Bars

Pop the assembled bars into your preheated oven and bake for 25 to 28 minutes until the top is golden brown and irresistible. The smell alone will have you counting down the minutes.

Step 11: Cool and Invert

Once baked, transfer the bars to a wire rack to cool completely. Then carefully lift the bars out using the parchment paper and flip them upside down, so the previously bottom becomes the top—ready for glazing and decorating.

Step 12: Prepare and Add Glaze

Whisk the powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable. Pour this glossy glaze over the inverted bars while still fresh, immediately sprinkling on a generous amount of rainbow sprinkles for that classic poptart look and festive flair.

Step 13: Set and Slice

Let the glaze set at room temperature for 1 to 2 hours before slicing into 15 adorable bars. The result is a sweet, fruity, colorful treat that tastes as joyful as it looks.

How to Serve Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

Rainbow sprinkles are the star garnish here, adding cheerful bursts of color and a hint of crunch. For a grown-up twist, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a drizzle of melted white chocolate can elevate these bars to dessert party status.

Side Dishes

The bright strawberry filling and sweet glaze are perfectly balanced by a cup of rich coffee or a creamy glass of cold milk. You can also serve the bars alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an indulgent dessert spread.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the bars on a rustic wooden board surrounded by fresh strawberries for an eye-catching display. Wrapping individual bars in colorful cellophane and tying with a ribbon makes for a delightful homemade gift, perfect for parties or bake sales.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

These cookie bars keep wonderfully in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The flavors meld beautifully overnight, so they’re often even tastier the next day.

Freezing

To enjoy these bars later, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before glazing or serving.

Reheating

If you prefer your bars slightly warm, pop them in a 300°F oven for 5-7 minutes. Avoid microwaving, which can make the texture gummy instead of tender and crumbly.

FAQs

Can I use other fruit preserves?

Absolutely! While strawberry preserves give that classic poptart flavor, raspberry, apricot, or even blueberry preserves can add a delicious twist to these bars.

What if I don’t have a stand mixer?

If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer or even vigorous whisking by hand will work fine. The key is to cream the butter and sugar well until fluffy for the best texture.

How thick should the dough layers be?

Press each half of the dough evenly in the pan to about half an inch thick. This ensures the layers bake through evenly and makes slicing the bars easier.

Can I make this gluten-free?

You can substitute a gluten-free flour blend for the all-purpose flour, but results may vary slightly in texture. Be sure to use a blend suited for baking for best results.

Is it okay to substitute milk in the glaze?

Yes, you can use any milk you prefer, such as almond, oat, or soy milk. Just adjust the amount slightly to achieve a pourable consistency.

Final Thoughts

There is something so comforting and joyful about the flavors in this Poptart Cookie Bars Recipe. It takes a classic childhood favorite and transforms it into something both nostalgic and new, perfect for sharing or savoring in quiet moments. Give yourself the gift of baking these bars—you’ll find yourself coming back for more, bars after bars, because once you’ve tasted these, there’s no going back to plain cookies again.

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