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Home Recipes by Type Desserts Cookies & Bars

Vanilla Bean Cookie Bars

5
/5
59 mins
30 Comments
Jump to Recipe
By: Rachel GurkPosted: 05/10/2013Updated: 08/17/2021

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.

These vanilla bean cookie bars are delicate, girly, and delicious thanks to plenty of vanilla beans. Get the easy and fun recipe on RachelCooks.com!

Vanilla bean cookie bars are sweet and delicious, thanks to plenty of vanilla beans.

Front view of several cookie bars on white plate, with one bar on surface in front of plate. Text overlay reads "vanilla bean cookie bars. Rachelcooks.com".

Clearly I’m obsessed with vanilla beans. This is nothing that we do not already know. Vanilla Bean Cream Cheese, Vanilla Bean Buttercream, Vanilla Granola, Vanilla Bean Butter, Vanilla Bean Candied Walnuts, vanilla, vanilla, vanilla. Should I go on?  Because there are also meringues, and pancakes…and…

Or perhaps I should seek treatment?

Vanilla bean lovers anonymous. Who’s coming with me?

Overhead of five cookie bars randomly arranged on black background.

I just love seeing those little specks of vanilla in whatever I’m eating. (PS: these are my favorite vanilla beans – they’re consistently good!) It’s pretty much a promise that whatever you’re about to put into your mouth is going to taste great.

Moreover, these vanilla bean cookie bars look so pretty and classy. That’s what makes these cookie bars perfect for a party or a Mother’s Day brunch. Girly, feminine and so full of fragrant vanilla.

Not into pink? Go more traditional and omit the food coloring for a classic white look. I think vanilla bean cookie bars are perfect in their pure white form for a bridal shower with pearly sprinkles or colored sugar to match the wedding colors.

Closeup front view of bar with bite removed, on black background.

Vanilla bean cookie bars consist of two layers: a vanilla cookie base that is baked and cooled, and a thick buttercream frosting layer that can be tinted with food coloring, if desired. Oh, I guess there are three layers! Sprinkles, colored sugar, jimmies, whatever you like to decorate with. 

Vanilla bean cookie bars are so versatile and fun–customize the colors to match the occasion. Enjoy!

FAQs

What is a bar cookie?

The difference between bar cookies (sometimes just called “bars”) and regular cookies is how they are baked. The dough can be quite similar. Regular cookies are made of dough that is formed into balls or dropped by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet and baked. In contrast, bar cookie dough is pressed into a baking pan, baked, and cut into individual squares or diamonds. If you’re in a hurry, bake bar cookies since they are baked all at once in one pan.
You’ll notice that I call these vanilla bean cookie bars, not bar cookies. The two terms are interchangeable and I like cookie bars for this recipe because they are basically a giant frosted vanilla cookie.

Should you refrigerate cookie bars?

It depends somewhat on the recipe. If the cookie bars have a cream cheese element, like these Frosted Oreo Cookie Bars, definitely refrigerate them. If not, you could store the bars in a resealable container.
Most bars can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container.

How do you know when cookie bars are done?

Knowing when cookie bars are done can be a little trickier than normal cookies.
You don’t want to overbake a cookie bar because they harden as they cool. Check to see if they are set in the middle (firm, not gooey) and golden brown around the edges.

More Delicious Bar Recipes

Here’s a few of my favorites. You simply have to try the blondies if you like the vanilla bean cookie bars. 

  • Blondies
  • Snickerdoodle Bars Recipe
  • Raspberry White Chocolate Blondies
  • Red Velvet Gooey Butter Bars
  • Chocolate Chip Blondies
  • Best Rice Krispies Treats (I have a couple of secret tricks to make them even better)
  • Oh Henry Bars (with a peanut free option, too)
  • M&M Peanut Butter Bars
  • Peanut Butter Toffee Bars by Crazy for Crust sound really great, too!

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

Single cookie bar square in front of plate containing several bars.
Recipe

Get the Recipe: Vanilla Bean Cookie Bars

5 from 5 votes
Prep Time: 15 mins
Cook Time: 14 mins
Additional Time: 30 mins
Total Time: 59 mins
24 bars
Print Rate Recipe
Prevent your screen from going dark
Vanilla bean cookie bars are sweet and delicious, thanks to plenty of vanilla beans.

Ingredients

Bottom Layer

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (2 sticks)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • the seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
  • 2 egg yolks
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour

Frosting Layer

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, softened (1 stick)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/3 cup milk
  • the seeds scraped from one vanilla bean
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • gel food coloring (optional)
  • sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350°F. Prepare a 9×13 pan by spraying it lightly with baking spray, lining with parchment paper and spraying again.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment, cream together butter, salt, sugar and vanilla beans. Add egg yolks and mix well. Add the flour and mix until a dough forms.
  • Press the dough evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan.
  • Bake for 12 to 14 minutes or until firm. Remove and let cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, combine all of the frosting ingredients in the bowl of a stand mixer and whip until fluffy.
  • Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base and immediately sprinkle with sprinkles.
  • Chill in the freezer for at least 30 minutes before slicing into bars and serving.

Notes

  • Leave the frosting white, or tint it with a different color. Use whatever sprinkles or jimmies you like.
  • Don’t have vanilla beans? Substitute 1 1/2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract in the bottom layer, and increase vanilla extract to 2 teaspoons in the frosting layer.
  • Bars can be frozen for up to 3 months in an airtight container. Separate layers with wax paper or parchment paper.

Nutrition Information

Calories: 225kcal, Carbohydrates: 28g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 12g, Saturated Fat: 8g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 3g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 47mg, Sodium: 53mg, Potassium: 23mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 382IU, Calcium: 11mg, Iron: 1mg

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© Author: Rachel Gurk
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  1. Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love. says

    May 12, 2013 at 1:02 am

    I am in love with that pretty pink frosting (and vanilla beans, of course!)!

    Reply
  2. Cassie | Bake Your Day says

    May 11, 2013 at 6:14 pm

    I wish I had one (or seven) right now. I love vanilla bean and sprinkles get me every time!!

    Reply
  3. natalie@thesweetslife says

    May 10, 2013 at 7:16 pm

    these are gorgeous!! and lucky for me, i have a bunch of vanilla beans on hand!

    Reply
  4. carrian says

    May 10, 2013 at 4:32 pm

    WELP! This granola just doesn’t seem quite as delicious all of a sudden. :( I need those.

    Reply
  5. Tara says

    May 10, 2013 at 3:20 pm

    How very pretty are those bars. Love them!!

    Reply
  6. Rachel @ Baked by Rachel says

    May 10, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    I can’t explain why I haven’t made cookie bars yet. I just can’t. But I need them in my life!

    Reply
  7. Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says

    May 10, 2013 at 3:02 pm

    Hand over the whole pan, please! :)

    Reply
  8. brandi says

    May 10, 2013 at 2:24 pm

    love these! i’m a sucker for those little specks, too :)

    Reply
  9. steph@stephsbitebybite says

    May 10, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    These could turn in to a serious addiction for me!

    Reply
  10. Leslie says

    May 10, 2013 at 1:17 pm

    I love every recipe I’ve tried that includes vanilla beans. And this looks much easier than a cookie cutter and rolling pin version.

    Reply
  11. Alida | Alida's Kitchen says

    May 10, 2013 at 11:06 am

    These look heavenly! I’m a huge fan of vanilla beans as well…I’m totally with you :) Happy Mother’s Day!

    Reply
  12. Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain says

    May 10, 2013 at 10:36 am

    These are so pretty! I would love to make these for my mom!

    Reply
  13. Suzanne says

    May 10, 2013 at 10:29 am

    I, also, love seeing those little black flecks of vanilla bean in my desserts. And I love that you can repurpose the pods for making vanilla extract. These cookies are adorable.

    Reply
  14. Jane's Adventures in Dinner says

    May 10, 2013 at 10:08 am

    So lovely! My little girl is pink obsessed!

    Reply
  15. Tieghan says

    May 10, 2013 at 9:23 am

    So cute!! Love that pink frosting!!

    Reply
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