Poptart Cookie Bars (Printable)

Soft sugar cookie base with strawberry jam filling and vanilla glaze topped with sprinkles.

# What You Need:

→ Cookie Base

01 - 1 cup (225 g) unsalted butter, softened
02 - 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
03 - 2 large eggs
04 - 2 tsp vanilla extract
05 - 2 ½ cups (310 g) all-purpose flour
06 - ½ tsp baking powder
07 - ½ tsp salt

→ Filling

08 - ¾ cup (240 g) strawberry jam or preferred flavor

→ Glaze & Topping

09 - 1 ¼ cups (150 g) powdered sugar
10 - 2–3 tbsp milk
11 - ¼ tsp vanilla extract
12 - Sprinkles for decoration

# How-To:

01 - Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
02 - In a large bowl, cream softened butter and sugar until light and fluffy using an electric mixer or whisk.
03 - Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
04 - In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt until well blended.
05 - Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
06 - Press two-thirds of the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan using your hands or a spatula.
07 - Spread jam evenly over the dough layer, leaving a small border around the edges.
08 - Crumble remaining dough over the jam layer, pressing gently to adhere.
09 - Bake for 23–27 minutes until edges are golden brown and center is set.
10 - Let bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before glazing.
11 - Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract until smooth and pourable consistency is reached.
12 - Drizzle glaze evenly over cooled bars and immediately top with sprinkles before glaze sets.
13 - Let glaze set for 15 minutes, then cut into 16 bars using a sharp knife.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The soft buttery cookie base melts in your mouth while the jam layer creates that perfect fruity contrast we all crave from toaster pastries
  • Kids go absolutely wild for the colorful sprinkles on top and adults secretly love the nostalgic breakfast-for-dessert vibe
02 -
  • Room temperature ingredients are non-negotiable here because cold butter creates tough spots in the dough that will not bake out properly
  • The crumble topping might look sparse before baking but it spreads and flattens in the oven so do not be tempted to add more dough
03 -
  • Position your oven rack in the center position so the bars bake evenly without burning on the bottom before the center sets
  • Homemade jam with larger fruit pieces creates those gorgeous jam pockets that make these bars look extra special

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