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.

Ingredients

Scale

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

Instructions

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.
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.
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.
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.
Prepare the frosting: In a bowl, blend together powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
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.
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