Description
These Frosted Maple Cookie Bars are soft, chewy and easy to make! The combination of maple flavor, cream cheese frosting and toffee bits makes them perfect for fall! It’s hard to eat just one!
Ingredients
Maple Cookie Bars
- 2 3/4 cups (358g) all-purpose flour, measured properly
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup plus 2 tbsp (252g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 3/4 cup (168g) light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup (52g) sugar
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tbsp maple extract
Maple Cream Cheese Frosting
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/4 cup (56g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 1/2 cups (288g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 tsp maple extract
- 1/4 cup toffee bits
Instructions
Make the Maple Cookie Bars
- Preheat oven to 350°F (180°C). Prepare a 9×9 square baking pan with non-stick baking spray, or line it with parchment paper, leaving some hanging over on the sides for easy removal from the pan later.
- Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium sized bowl and set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugars together in a large mixer bowl on medium speed until light in color and fluffy, 2-3 minutes. You should be able to see the change in color and texture and know it’s ready.
- Add the egg and mix until well combined. Add the maple extract and mix until well combined.
- Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix until the dough is just well combined. Do not over mix. Once it’s well combined, use a rubber spatula to help it come together to form a more cohesive ball.
- Press the cookie dough evenly into the cake pan and bake for 17-23 minutes, or until the edges just begin to turn golden.
- Allow to cool completely in the pan, 2-3 hours. It will firm up as it cools.
Make the Frosting and Finish the Bars
- To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter together until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and maple extract and mix until smooth.
- Spread frosting evenly onto the cooled bars, then sprinkle with toffee bits.
- Use the parchment paper to lift the cookie bars out of the pan, then cut into slices and serve. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. Best if eaten within 4-5 days.
Notes
- Storage: Store leftover bars in an air-tight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to eat them within 4-5 days.
- Freezer: These bars will also freeze well, but I’d recommend leaving off the toffee bits until just before serving. Place the bars in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or wrap them well in plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Bars will keep in the freezer for up to 3 months. Thaw them in the refrigerator, bring them to room temperature and top with toffee bits before serving.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 Bar
- Calories: 499
- Sugar: 41.8 g
- Sodium: 195.1 mg
- Fat: 25.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 64.5 g
- Protein: 4.3 g
- Cholesterol: 81.4 mg
