There is something irresistibly joyful about these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe that instantly brings festive cheer with every bite. Imagine a buttery, soft sugar cookie base swirled with smooth, colorful frosting and topped with playful sprinkles that capture the spirit of the holidays. This dessert not only fills your kitchen with the warm scent of vanilla and sugar but also delivers a perfect balance of sweetness and tender crumb that will have everyone asking for seconds. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party or a cozy night in, these sugar cookie bars are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe - Recipe Image

Ingredients You’ll Need

With a handful of simple, everyday ingredients, you can create a show-stopping treat that’s rich in flavor and texture. Each component plays a crucial role, from the buttery softness of the dough to the velvety smoothness of the frosting and the festive pop of colorful sprinkles.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened: The foundation of softness and rich flavor that makes the cookie base melt in your mouth.
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar: Adds essential sweetness and helps with the cookie’s tender crumb texture.
2 large eggs: Bind everything together and create a luscious, moist structure.
1 tablespoon vanilla extract: Infuses the dough and frosting with that classic, comforting aroma we all love during the holidays.
3 cups all-purpose flour: Provides the bulk, structure, and perfect chewiness to the bars.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder: Gives just the right lift for a light, tender bite.
1/2 teaspoon salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting): Creates the creamy base for the luscious frosting layer.
4 cups powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps achieve a fluffy, spreadable texture.
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk: Perfectly adjusts the frosting’s consistency for easy spreading.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Adds another dimension of warmth and depth in the frosting.
Food coloring (red, green, or your favorite festive colors): Brings the Christmas spirit to life with joyful hues.
Sprinkles for decorating: Adds fun texture and eye-catching sparkle that makes these bars holiday-ready.

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare

Start by preheating your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. This is key to ensuring an even, gentle bake that will result in tender cookie bars. Grease or line a baking pan while you prepare the dough to make removal effortless later on.

Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1 cup softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step introduces air to the batter, which helps to achieve that delicate texture we’re aiming for in the Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe.

Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition to fully incorporate them. Stir in the vanilla extract to infuse the dough with its distinctive warm flavor.

Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. This ensures an even distribution of rising agents and seasoning throughout the dough.

Step 5: Mix Wet and Dry Ingredients

Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Overmixing here can cause tough cookie bars, so stop as soon as all ingredients come together.

Step 6: Press Dough into Pan

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and press it evenly into place with your hands or the back of a spatula. An even thickness guarantees consistent baking and perfect texture in every square.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Bake in the preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. This bake time ensures soft, chewy bars that won’t dry out.

Step 8: Cool Completely

Allow the bars to cool entirely in the baking pan. This resting time helps them set properly, making frosting and cutting much easier without cracking or crumbling.

Step 9: Make the Frosting

Using the softened butter, gradually blend in the powdered sugar, heavy cream (or milk), and vanilla extract, beating until the frosting is light, creamy, and fluffy. This frosting is the crowning glory of the Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe, so make it extra smooth and delicious!

Step 10: Color and Decorate

If you want multiple festive colors, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add your choice of food coloring. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars, sprinkle generously with colorful sprinkles, and let the frosting set before slicing into squares.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Garnishes

Sprinkles are already festive, but you can elevate the look with crushed peppermint candies, edible glitter, or small festive-shaped candies. They add texture and that extra holiday sparkle that guests will adore.

Side Dishes

Pair your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with classic holiday drinks like hot cocoa, eggnog, or a cinnamon-spiced latte. These sweet beverages perfectly complement the buttery richness and provide a cozy vibe.

Creative Ways to Present

Try stacking the cookie bars on a holiday-themed platter or arranging them in a festive tin lined with parchment. For gift-giving, wrap them in cellophane, tie with a ribbon, and add a personalized tag—this recipe makes a heartfelt edible gift!

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Keep any leftover Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature, and they will stay fresh and soft for up to 3 days. If you want to enjoy their sweetness longer, refrigerate them for up to a week.

Freezing

You can freeze the bars either frosted or unfrosted. For best results, freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and then foil, stacking in a freezer-safe container. Thaw completely before frosting to avoid sogginess.

Reheating

If you prefer serving your cookie bars warm, gently microwave a slice for 10 to 15 seconds or warm them briefly in a low oven (about 300°F) for a few minutes. This brings back the fresh-baked feel and enhances the flavor.

FAQs

Can I use margarine or salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

While margarine or salted butter can be substituted, unsalted butter is recommended for better control of salt levels and richer flavor. If using salted butter, reduce or omit the additional salt in the recipe.

How do I make the frosting less sweet?

You can reduce the powdered sugar slightly or add a bit more heavy cream to thin the frosting and mellow the sweetness but keep it thick enough to spread easily.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, by swapping the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend designed for baking, you can make this recipe gluten-free without sacrificing much in texture or flavor.

What’s the best way to cut the bars cleanly?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts to prevent frosting from smearing and the bars from crumbling. For an extra smooth cut, chilling the bars briefly before slicing can help.

Can I decorate the bars with royal icing instead of frosting?

Absolutely! Royal icing adds a beautiful, firm finish perfect for intricate designs. Just allow the bars to cool completely before applying the icing for the best results.

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is truly a holiday game-changer—simple enough to whip up any day, yet spectacular enough to impress at your festive gatherings. The combination of buttery cookie, luscious frosting, and joyful decoration brings such a smile to the season that I promise you’ll reach for this recipe year after year. So grab your mixing bowl and sprinkle up some holiday magic with these delightful bars!

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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4.1 from 42 reviews

Author: admin
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 servings 1x
Diet: Vegetarian

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Description

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars combine the classic buttery sweetness of sugar cookies with festive colorful frosting and sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations. Soft, chewy, and easy to slice, these bars capture the spirit of Christmas in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Dough

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
1 tablespoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

Frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Food coloring (red, green, or your favorite festive colors)
Sprinkles for decorating

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Instructions

Preheat the oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and prepare a baking pan by greasing it or lining it with parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up.
Prepare the cookie dough wet ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, cream 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add 2 large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 1 tablespoon vanilla extract until fully incorporated.
Mix dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together 3 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt until evenly combined.
Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until a soft dough forms. Be careful not to overmix to keep the cookies tender.
Press dough into the pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking pan and press it evenly to form a flat, uniform layer.
Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for about 18-22 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Cool: Remove the cookie bars from the oven and allow them to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack to ensure frosting does not melt.
Make the frosting: In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter until creamy. Gradually add 4 cups powdered sugar and 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk, along with 1 teaspoon vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until light and fluffy.
Color the frosting: If desired, divide the frosting into separate bowls and add food coloring to each to create festive holiday colors.
Frost the cookie bars: Spread the colored frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars using a spatula or knife. Decorate with festive sprinkles for a cheerful holiday touch.
Set and serve: Allow the frosting to set at room temperature before slicing the bars into squares for serving.

Notes

Ensure the cookie bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent melting.
You can substitute the heavy cream with milk for a lighter frosting consistency.
For extra flavor, you can add a pinch of almond extract to the frosting.
Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
Consider chilling the dough if it feels too soft for easier handling.

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