These Lucky Charms Sugar Cookie Bars are not only fun, but they are delicious and so nostalgic. Thick, buttery cookie bars are packed with Lucky Charms cereal and creamy white chocolate chips, then topped with a fluffy vanilla buttercream and colorful Lucky Charms marshmallows that make you so happy to look at.
These bars bake up soft, tender, and slightly chewy thanks to the combination of cream cheese and cornstarch in the dough. The cereal adds a subtle crunch and sweetness while the marshmallow topping gives them that classic Lucky Charms look everyone immediately recognizes. They’re perfect for St. Patrick’s Day desserts, birthday parties, school treats, or just a fun weekend baking with kids.
Best of all, this recipe is easy to make in one pan with no chilling required. Just mix the dough, bake until lightly golden, frost, sprinkle with marshmallows, and slice into thick bakery style cookie bars.
If you love soft sugar cookies, nostalgic cereal treats, and easy desserts that look as fun as they taste, these Lucky Charms Sugar Cookie Bars deliver every time.
Why you’ll love this recipe!
What ingredients do I need?
- Unsalted Butter: Butter provides rich flavor and helps create a soft, tender cookie base.
- Cream Cheese: A small amount of cream cheese makes the bars extra soft, while keeping the texture moist.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens the cookie base and contributes to the classic sugar cookie flavor.
- Light Brown Sugar: Adds a subtle caramel flavor and helps keep the bars soft and chewy.
- Egg: Provides structure and helps bind the ingredients together.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds warm flavor that pairs perfectly with the white chocolate and frosting.
- Orange Juice: A small splash brightens the flavor and enhances the sweetness.
- All Purpose Flour: The main structure for the cookie base.
- Cornstarch: Keeps the bars soft and tender while preventing them from becoming dense.
- Baking Powder: Provides a little lift so the bars bake up light instead of heavy.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Lucky Charms Cereal: Adds crunchy cereal pieces and fun flavor throughout the bars.
- White Chocolate Chips: Melt slightly while baking, adding creamy sweetness.
- Powdered Sugar: Creates a smooth and fluffy buttercream frosting.
- Heavy Cream: Helps create a light, spreadable frosting texture.
- Lucky Charms Marshmallows: The colorful finishing touch that makes these bars instantly recognizable.
Recipe Variations
- Lucky Charms Blondie Bars: Skip the frosting and add extra cereal and white chocolate chips for a chewier blondie style dessert.
- Chocolate Lucky Charms Bars: Add ¼ cup cocoa powder to the dough and increase flour slightly for a chocolate version.
- Funfetti Lucky Charms Bars: Add rainbow sprinkles to the dough for even more color.
Pro Tips
- Press the dough into the pan evenly. Use a spatula, lightly greased hands, or more parchment paper to spread the dough evenly across the pan so the bars bake consistently.
- Don’t overbake! The center should look set, but still slightly under baked when removed from the oven. Overbaking will make the bars dry instead of soft.
- Completely cool the cookies before frosting. If the bars are even slightly warm, the frosting will melt and slide off.
- Use parchment paper to line the pan. Lining the pan with parchment paper makes it easy to lift the entire batch out and slice cleanly.
- Add the marshmallows to the frosting right before serving if you can. They will stay fresher this way.
Can I Substitute?
Yes! Like always though, any substitutions made to the recipe can result in a change in texture and/or flavor.
- Unsalted butter: Salted butter can be used, just omit the added pinch of salt in the cookie base.
- Orange Juice: You can just omit it if needed and add a splash of whole milk or heavy cream.
Dietary Substitutions
- Gluten Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten free flour blend designed for baking.
- Dairy Free Option: Use dairy free butter, dairy free cream cheese, and coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Reduced sugar: Just skip it entirely and dust the bars with a little powdered sugar.
Leftovers and Storage
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2–3 days.
- For longer storage, refrigerate for up to 5 days. Bring to room temperature before serving for the best texture.
- Unfrosted bars can also be frozen for up to 2 months and then frosted right before serving.
But, I Still Have A Few Questions…
Do Lucky Charms cereal pieces stay crunchy after baking?
The cereal softens slightly while baking, but still provides a light crunch and flavor throughout the cookie bars.
Can I make these bars ahead of time?
Yes. The cookie base can be baked a day ahead and stored covered. Frost and decorate before serving.
Can I freeze these cookie bars?
Yes. Freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature, then frost and add marshmallows.
Do I need to crush the cereal?
No, I don’t. But lightly crushing it helps distribute the cereal a little more evenly throughout the bars and prevents the larger crunchy chunks (which I like).
Can I skip the frosting?
Yes. The bars are still delicious on their own and resemble thick sugar cookie blondies.
Why is there cream cheese in the dough?
Cream cheese helps create a softer, richer texture and keeps the bars tender.
How do I know when the bars are done baking?
The edges should be lightly golden and the center should look set but still soft and slightly underbaked.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes. Double the recipe and bake in two 9×13 pans or a large sheet pan.
Can kids help make this recipe?
Absolutely. This is a fun recipe for kids since they can help mix the dough and decorate with marshmallows.
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Let’s engage!
Make sure to tag @thehomechefmomma on Instagram or Facebook, and leave a review or comment if you make these. I always get so excited to see your creations, variations of the recipe, and feedback! Just remember to be kind in your comments, there is still a person behind this screen! 🙂
Lucky Charms Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Cookie Base
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ¼ cup light brown sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp orange juice
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- ½ tsp baking powder
- Pinch of salt
- 1 cup Lucky Charms cereal slightly crushed
- ¾ cup white chocolate chips
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- 2 –3 tbsp heavy cream
- Lucky Charms marshmallows for topping
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13” pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang for easy removal.
- In a large bowl, beat butter and cream cheese until smooth. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar and beat for 1–2 minutes until fluffy. Scrape down the sides.
- Add egg, vanilla, and orange juice; mix until incorporated.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually mix into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Gently fold in Lucky Charms cereal and white chocolate chips. The dough will be slightly soft and sticky.
- Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 22–25 minutes, until edges are lightly golden and the center is set but soft.
- Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
- While cooling, make the frosting. Beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then vanilla and salt.
- Mix in heavy cream one tablespoon at a time until fluffy and spreadable.
- Spread frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Top with Lucky Charms marshmallows.
- Slice into bars and serve.
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The kids didn’t get any because my husband and i ate them all….they were so good!
Yay! So glad you loved them!