There’s something magical about the flavor of maple. Its rich, comforting sweetness brings a touch of warmth to any dessert. When paired with soft, chewy cookie bars and a luscious maple cream cheese frosting, you’ve got the ultimate dessert experience. These Frosted Maple Cookie Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are the perfect treat for fall gatherings, cozy evenings, or any time you’re craving something deliciously indulgent. Easy to make and impossible to resist, these bars are sure to become a family favorite.
Why You’ll Love Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
- Soft and Chewy Texture: The cookie bars are tender and moist, with just the right balance of chewiness.
- Rich Maple Flavor: Both the cookie bars and the frosting are infused with maple extract for that distinct, comforting taste.
- Simple to Make: With straightforward steps and easy-to-find ingredients, this recipe is perfect for both novice and experienced bakers.
- Perfect for Any Occasion: Whether it’s a holiday party, bake sale, or just a sweet craving, these bars are always a hit.
- Delightful Topping: The toffee bits add a crunchy, buttery contrast to the creamy frosting.
Ingredients for Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
For the Cookie Bars:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | 2 ¾ cups (358g) |
| Baking soda | ½ teaspoon |
| Salt | ½ teaspoon |
| Unsalted butter, softened | 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (252g) |
| Light brown sugar, packed | ¾ cup (168g) |
| Granulated sugar | ¼ cup (52g) |
| Egg, room temperature | 1 large |
| Maple extract | 1 tablespoon |
For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cream cheese, softened | 4 ounces |
| Unsalted butter, softened | ¼ cup (56g) |
| Powdered sugar | 2 ½ cups (288g) |
| Maple extract | ½ teaspoon |
| Toffee bits | ¼ cup |
Step-by-Step Instructions for Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
1. Prepare the Oven and Pan
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish lightly or line it with parchment paper, leaving enough overhang on the sides for easy removal.
2. Mix the Dry Ingredients
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set this aside for later.
3. Cream Butter and Sugars
- In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed. Beat for 2–3 minutes until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.
4. Add Egg and Maple Extract
- Add the egg and maple extract to the creamed butter and sugar mixture. Beat until everything is well combined.
5. Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
- Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Avoid overmixing to keep the cookie bars soft and tender.
6. Press Dough into the Pan
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula or your hands.
7. Bake the Cookie Bars
- Bake in the preheated oven for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely in the pan.
How to Make Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
1. Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
2. Add Maple Extract and Powdered Sugar
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and maple extract to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on low speed until the sugar is incorporated, then increase the speed to medium. Beat for an additional 1–2 minutes until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Assemble the Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
1. Frost the Cooled Bars
- Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula or butter knife.
2. Add Toffee Bits
- Sprinkle the toffee bits evenly over the frosting, pressing them gently into the frosting to ensure they stick.
3. Slice and Serve
- Cut the bars into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference. Serve and enjoy the perfect blend of soft cookie bars, creamy frosting, and crunchy toffee!
Tips for Perfect Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
- Measure Flour Properly: Too much flour can make the bars dry. Use a spoon to fill your measuring cup, then level it off with a knife.
- Room-Temperature Ingredients: Ensure your butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better results.
- Don’t Overmix: Overmixing the dough can make the cookie bars dense. Mix just until the ingredients are combined.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: If the bars are warm, the frosting will melt and slide off.
- Use Quality Maple Extract: High-quality maple extract will give these bars their rich, authentic flavor.
Nutritional Information (Per Bar)
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | ~320 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | ~40g |
| Protein | ~2g |
| Fat | ~16g |
| Sugars | ~26g |
FAQs About Frosted Maple Cookie Bars
1. Can I use a different frosting?
Yes! While the maple cream cheese frosting pairs perfectly with the bars, you can use vanilla buttercream or plain cream cheese frosting if preferred.
2. How do I store these bars?
Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Let them sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving for the best flavor and texture.
3. Can I freeze these bars?
Yes, you can freeze them! Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
4. Can I add mix-ins to the cookie bars?
Absolutely! Chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or even dried cranberries would make great additions to the dough.
5. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?
Yes, but reduce the added salt in the dough to ¼ teaspoon to balance the flavors.
6. Can I double this recipe?
Yes! Double the ingredients and bake the bars in two 9×13-inch pans.
Why These Cookie Bars Are Perfect for Any Occasion
Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a family dessert, or just a sweet indulgence for yourself, Frosted Maple Cookie Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate crowd-pleaser. The warm maple flavor, creamy frosting, and crunchy toffee topping create a dessert that’s as satisfying to eat as it is to make.
Time to Bake!
Now that you have the recipe, it’s time to bring these delicious bars to life. Gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and start baking. Your kitchen will fill with the comforting aroma of maple, and your family and friends will thank you for this irresistible treat. Happy baking! 🍁
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Frosted Maple Cookie Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting: A Sweet, Comforting Treat
- Total Time: 1 hour (including cooling)
- Yield: 12-16 bars
Description
Soft, chewy, and packed with rich maple flavor, these Frosted Maple Cookie Bars with Maple Cream Cheese Frosting are the ultimate comforting dessert. Topped with a creamy frosting and sprinkled with crunchy toffee bits, these bars are perfect for family gatherings, holidays, or a sweet treat at home. Simple to make and even easier to devour, they’ll quickly become a favorite!
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 2 ¾ cups (358g) all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons (252g) unsalted butter, softened
- ¾ cup (168g) light brown sugar, packed
- ¼ cup (52g) granulated sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tablespoon maple extract
For the Maple Cream Cheese Frosting:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup (56g) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 ½ cups (288g) powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon maple extract
- ¼ cup toffee bits (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Lightly grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
- Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened butter, light brown sugar, and granulated sugar on medium speed for 2–3 minutes, until light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Maple Extract: Beat in the egg and maple extract, mixing until well combined.
- Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can make the bars dense.
- Press the Dough into the Pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared baking dish, smoothing it out with a spatula or your hands.
- Bake the Cookie Bars : Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before adding the frosting.
- Beat the Cream Cheese and Butter: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and butter together on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the Maple Extract and Powdered Sugar: Gradually add the powdered sugar, followed by the maple extract. Beat on low speed until incorporated, then increase to medium speed and beat for another 1–2 minutes, until fluffy and smooth.
- Frost the Cooled Bars: Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the maple cream cheese frosting evenly over the top using an offset spatula or butter knife.
- Add Toffee Bits: Sprinkle the toffee bits evenly over the frosting, gently pressing them into the frosting so they stick.
- Slice and Serve: Cut the bars into squares or rectangles, depending on your preference. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Storage: Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Bring them to room temperature for 15 minutes before serving.
- Freezing Instructions: These bars freeze well! Wrap each bar individually in plastic wrap, then place them in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before enjoying.
- Room-Temperature Ingredients: Make sure the butter, egg, and cream cheese are at room temperature for smooth mixing and even baking.
- Optional Add-Ins: You can mix chopped nuts, white chocolate chips, or dried cranberries into the dough for added texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
