Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Introduction

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful twist on traditional sugar cookies, baked in a pan for easy slicing and sharing. These bars feature a soft, buttery base with festive sprinkles and a rich cream cheese frosting, perfect for holiday gatherings or gifting.

Ingredients

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened well (not melted)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup festive sprinkles
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Additional sprinkles for topping

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9″x9″ baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Step 2: In a bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla, mixing well.
3. Step 3: Gradually add the flour and baking powder, mixing until a thick dough forms. Gently fold in the festive sprinkles.
4. Step 4: Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Because the dough is thick, take your time to smooth it out.
5. Step 5: Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the bars turn golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool completely in the pan.
6. Step 6: Once cooled, lift the cookie bars out of the pan using the parchment paper.
7. Step 7: To make the frosting, combine powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk. Beat until smooth.
8. Step 8: Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookie bars and sprinkle additional festive sprinkles on top.
9. Step 9: Cut into squares and serve immediately, or let the frosting set for a firmer texture.

Tips & Variations

• For added flavor, try substituting half a teaspoon of almond extract for the vanilla in the dough or frosting.
• You can swap festive sprinkles with chopped nuts or dried cranberries for a different texture.
• Make sure the butter and cream cheese are well softened to achieve a smooth frosting without lumps.

Storage

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer storage, keep them refrigerated for up to a week. Before serving, allow refrigerated bars to come to room temperature for the best texture. The frosting may firm up when chilled, so let it soften slightly before cutting if needed.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted?

Yes, you can use unsalted butter but you may want to add a pinch of salt to the dough and frosting to balance the flavors.

How do I keep the sprinkles from bleeding colors?

Use high-quality, sanding or crystal-type sprinkles that are less likely to bleed color into the dough or frosting.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.5 from 84 reviews

• Author: lilan
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 16 bars 1x

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Description

These festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars combine a soft, buttery sugar cookie base with a creamy cream cheese frosting sprinkled with colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, this easy-to-make treat offers the classic flavors of vanilla and sugar in a convenient bar form.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Cookie Bars

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened (not melted)
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 cup festive sprinkles

Frosting

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
• 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk
• Additional festive sprinkles for topping

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Instructions

1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9″ x 9″ baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the cookie bars.
2. Make the dough: In a mixing bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing well to combine. Gradually beat in the flour and baking powder until a thick dough forms. Gently fold in the festive sprinkles.
3. Spread and bake: Spread the thick dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. This may take a few minutes due to the dough’s density. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until the top is golden brown.
4. Cool the cookie bars: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan. Once cooled, carefully lift the parchment paper to remove the bars from the pan.
5. Prepare the frosting: In a bowl, blend together powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
6. Frost and decorate: Spread the cream cheese frosting generously over the cooled cookie bars. Top with additional festive sprinkles to add a colorful holiday touch.
7. Serve: Cut the cookie bars into squares and serve immediately for a softer frosting or let the frosting set for a firmer texture.

Notes

• Make sure the butter and cream cheese are well softened for easier mixing and a smoother frosting.
• Using parchment paper makes removing the bars from the pan much easier and helps prevent sticking.
• You can customize the sprinkles to match your holiday theme or color preference.
• The cookie bars keep well stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerated for up to a week.
• Allow frosting to set before cutting if you prefer cleaner slices and firmer texture.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Keywords: Christmas sugar cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, sugar cookie bars with frosting, festive cookie recipe, cream cheese frosting sugar bars