Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect holiday treat! Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars topped with a sweet and colorful frosting make them a crowd-pleasing dessert that’s as easy to make as it is delicious. Whether for a festive gathering or just a cozy evening at home, these bars bring the spirit of the season to your table.

Every year, when the holidays roll around, I start thinking of new ways to enjoy classic Christmas treats. These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars have become a tradition in our house. My little ones love helping me decorate them with sprinkles, and my husband can’t resist sneaking one (or three!) before they’re even frosted. They’re the perfect combination of soft, sweet, and festive, making them a must-have for our holiday baking list!

Why You’ll Love Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

• Easy to Make: No rolling or cutting out shapes—just press the dough into the pan, bake, and frost!
• Perfect for Sharing: These cookie bars can be cut into as many servings as you need, making them ideal for holiday gatherings.
• Customizable: Add holiday sprinkles, food coloring, or even different frosting flavors to make them uniquely yours.
• Soft and Chewy: These cookie bars have the perfect soft texture, with a slightly chewy bite, just like your favorite sugar cookies.

Ingredients Notes For Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

• Butter: Make sure it’s softened for easy mixing and a rich, creamy texture.
• Sugar: Granulated sugar for the perfect level of sweetness.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds that classic sugar cookie flavor.
• Flour: All-purpose flour works best for these bars.
• Frosting: Use your favorite vanilla or buttercream frosting and add festive food coloring for extra holiday cheer!
• Sprinkles: Festive Christmas-colored sprinkles are a must to make these bars stand out!

Recipe Steps For Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Step 1: Preheat the Oven

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan.

Step 2: Make the Dough

• Cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy.
• Mix in 2 eggs, 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt.

Step 3: Add Dry Ingredients

• Gradually mix in 2 1/2 cups of flour until combined and a soft dough forms.

Step 4: Press and Bake

• Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely.

Step 5: Frost and Decorate

• Spread a thick layer of frosting over the cooled cookie bars. Use vanilla or buttercream frosting and color it with festive shades of red, green, or white.
• Add Christmas sprinkles for the final touch!

Step 6: Slice and Serve

• Once the frosting is set, slice the bars into squares or rectangles and enjoy!

Storage Options

• Fridge: Store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
• Freezer: You can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost when ready to serve.

Variations & Substitutions

• Different Flavors: Try adding almond or peppermint extract for a holiday twist!
• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend to make these bars gluten-free.
• Different Frostings: You can switch up the frosting with cream cheese frosting for a tangy contrast.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

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Course: Dessert

Kitchen: American, holiday

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 45 minutes minutes

Servings: 16 bars

Ingredients

 

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• ▢ For the Cookie Bars:
• ▢ 1 cup unsalted butter softened
• ▢ 1 cup granulated sugar
• ▢ 1 cup powdered sugar
• ▢ 2 large eggs
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ 1 teaspoon almond extract optional
• ▢ 4 cups all-purpose flour
• ▢ 1 teaspoon baking powder
• ▢ 1/2 teaspoon salt
• ▢ For the Frosting:
• ▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
• ▢ 4 cups powdered sugar
• ▢ 2-3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• ▢ 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ▢ Food coloring optional
• ▢ Sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

• Prepare the Cookie Bars:
• Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
• Cream the Butter and Sugars: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add Eggs and Extracts: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using), mixing until well combined.
• Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Mix Together: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.
• Spread in Baking Dish: Spread the cookie dough evenly in the prepared baking dish.
• Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool: Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. Once cool, lift the bars out using the parchment paper and transfer to a cutting board.
• Prepare the Frosting:
• Make the Frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and powdered sugar until well combined. Gradually add milk until you reach your desired frosting consistency. Stir in the vanilla extract.
• Optional Coloring: If using food coloring, divide the frosting into bowls and mix in your chosen colors.
• Assemble:
• Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Decorate with sprinkles as desired.
• Cut and Serve: Once frosted, cut into squares or rectangles and serve.