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Copycat Starbucks Sugar Cookie Latte Bars: Easy 30-Minute Recipe

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Soft, buttery bars with a whisper of espresso and a thick blanket of vanilla frosting, just like the Starbucks version but made at home in under 30 minutes.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (2 sticks / 226g) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 1 cup (200g) light brown sugar, packed
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder
  • 1¾ cups (218g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • For the frosting: ¼ cup (½ stick / 57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1½ cups (180g) powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream (plus more as needed)
  • Pinch of salt

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite sides. Lightly grease the parchment with butter or nonstick spray.
  2. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals until just melted. Set aside to cool for 5 minutes.
  3. In a large mixing bowl, combine the melted butter with 1 cup packed light brown sugar and ½ cup granulated sugar. Whisk vigorously for about 1 minute until smooth and glossy.
  4. Add 1 large room-temperature egg and 2 teaspoons vanilla extract. Whisk until fully incorporated.
  5. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon instant espresso powder over the wet mixture. Whisk for about 30 seconds until completely dissolved.
  6. In a separate small bowl, whisk together 1¾ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ½ teaspoon salt. Add to the wet mixture in two additions, folding gently with a spatula after each addition until just combined.
  7. Spread the thick batter evenly in the prepared pan using a spatula.
  8. Bake on the middle rack for 18-22 minutes, until edges are golden and center is soft with a few moist crumbs on a toothpick.
  9. Cool completely in the pan on a wire rack for at least 1 hour.
  10. Make the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat ¼ cup softened unsalted butter until smooth. Add 1½ cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt. Beat on low speed, then add 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream one at a time, beating on medium speed until light and fluffy.
  11. Once bars are cool, lift them out using the parchment sling. Spread frosting evenly over the top. Let set for 15 minutes before slicing into 9 or 16 squares.

Notes

Don’t overbake; pull when center still has a slight jiggle. Use room temperature ingredients. Let butter cool before adding egg. Line pan with parchment sling for easy removal. Frost only when bars are completely cool. Bars taste even better the next day.

Nutrition

Keywords: copycat Starbucks, sugar cookie latte bars, espresso bars, blondies, coffee dessert, easy dessert, 30-minute recipe

Find it online: https://juliamadeit.com/copycat-starbucks-sugar-cookie-latte-bars-easy-30-minute-recipe/