Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Create Jolly Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe Everyone Loves

Sweet memories flood back when I bite into these irresistible christmas sugar cookie bars that melt like clouds of sugary happiness.

Childhood winters whisper through every soft, buttery square.

Grandma’s kitchen always smelled magical during holiday baking sessions.

Soft edges and creamy frosting create an instant celebration on your plate.

Delicate sprinkles add sparkle to each delectable treat that feels like pure joy.

Holiday cheer comes packaged in these simple yet spectacular bars.

You cannot resist their charm – so let’s start mixing and creating deliciousness!

  • Effortless Holiday Baking: Whip up these festive sugar cookie bars with minimal fuss, perfect for busy bakers who want delicious results without complicated steps.
  • Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Guaranteed to delight both kids and adults, these bars bring joy to holiday gatherings with their sweet flavor and colorful sprinkles.
  • Quick Celebration Treat: Prepare these festive bars in under an hour, making them ideal for last-minute parties, potlucks, or spontaneous holiday get-togethers.
  • Stress-Free Decorating: Skip the tedious process of rolling and cutting individual cookies – simply spread the dough in a pan and top with creamy frosting for an easy, impressive dessert.
Dry Ingredients:
  • All-Purpose Flour: Classic base for soft sugar cookie texture.
  • Baking Powder: Helps cookies rise and become fluffy.
  • Salt: Enhances overall flavor balance.
Wet Ingredients:
  • Butter: Provides rich, creamy foundation.
  • Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create crisp edges.
  • Egg: Binds ingredients and adds structure.
  • Vanilla Extract: Brings warm, classic flavor.
Decorative and Frosting Ingredients:
  • Holiday Sprinkles, Cream Cheese, Powdered Sugar, Vanilla Extract, Salt: Festive toppings and creamy frosting components that make the bars look and taste delightful.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Crank your oven to a cozy 350°F. Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, creating a non-stick magic carpet for your delightful cookie bars.

Step 2: Mix Dry Ingredients

Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your dry ingredients:
  • Flour
  • Baking powder
  • Salt

Blend these until they’re perfectly combined and smooth.

Step 3: Create Creamy Base

In a large bowl, whip the butter and sugar together until they transform into a fluffy cloud-like mixture. Add in the egg and vanilla, beating until everything dances together harmoniously.

Step 4: Combine Wet and Dry

Gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture. Mix gently until just combined. Sprinkle in festive holiday sprinkles, stirring them through the dough.

Step 5: Bake to Golden Perfection

Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Slide into the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for golden edges as your signal that these treats are ready.

Step 6: Craft Dreamy Frosting

Whip up a creamy frosting by beating together:
  • Butter
  • Cream cheese
  • Powdered sugar
  • Vanilla
  • Salt

Blend until smooth and irresistibly creamy.

Step 7: Decorate with Delight

Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting generously across the top. Sprinkle additional holiday sprinkles for that festive finishing touch.

Step 8: Slice and Serve

Cut into beautiful bars and watch everyone’s eyes light up with joy!

  • Soften Butter Perfectly: Bring butter to room temperature 30-45 minutes before baking to ensure smooth, even mixing without over-beating.
  • Prevent Tough Bars: Mix dry and wet ingredients until just combined to maintain a tender, soft texture and avoid developing excess gluten.
  • Sprinkle Strategy: Fold holiday sprinkles gently into the dough to distribute evenly and prevent color bleeding throughout the bars.
  • Chill for Clean Cuts: Refrigerate frosted bars for 15-20 minutes before cutting to achieve crisp, clean edges and prevent messy slicing.
  • Flavor Boost Option: Add a touch of almond extract to the frosting for a subtle, festive depth that complements the holiday theme.
  • Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover completely to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
  • Wrap uncut, unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap and aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before frosting and serving.
  • Place bars in a single layer inside a freezer-safe container with parchment paper between layers. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator for 4-6 hours before serving.
  • Keep frosted bars at room temperature in a sealed container for 1-2 days. Place wax paper between layers to prevent sticking and maintain texture.

Christmas Sugar Bars Perfect Matches

  • Pair Christmas Cheer with Festive Drinks: Sip on warm mulled wine or spiced apple cider to complement the sweet sugar cookie bars, creating a cozy holiday atmosphere.
  • Elevate Dessert Experience with Milk Companions: Serve cold whole milk or creamy eggnog alongside the bars, allowing the rich dairy to balance the sugary sweetness and enhance the dessert's festive flavors.
  • Match with Warm Beverage Comfort: Enjoy a steaming mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha, which will beautifully harmonize with the sugar cookie's buttery texture and holiday sprinkle charm.
  • Create Flavor Contrast with Coffee: Brew a strong cup of medium-roast coffee or espresso to cut through the sweetness, providing a delightful counterpoint to the sugary frosted bars.
  • Gluten-Free Holiday Bars: Replace all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend, ensuring the same texture and festive taste for those with wheat sensitivities.
  • Vegan Christmas Cookie Squares: Swap butter with coconut oil, use a flax egg instead of regular egg, and create dairy-free frosting using vegan cream cheese alternatives.
  • Low-Sugar Festive Bars: Reduce sugar content by using stevia or monk fruit sweetener, and opt for natural sprinkles without artificial colors.
  • Nutty Winter Variation: Add chopped pecans or almond slivers to the dough for extra crunch and nutty flavor, perfect for those wanting more texture in their holiday treat.

FAQs

  • Why are holiday sprinkles important in this recipe?

Holiday sprinkles add festive color and a fun, celebratory touch to the sugar cookie bars, making them look more Christmas-themed and visually appealing.

  • Can I make these sugar cookie bars ahead of time?

Yes, you can prepare these bars 1-2 days in advance. Store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

  • How do I know when the sugar cookie bars are perfectly baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a set center. The bars should not appear wet or jiggly in the middle when gently shaken. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs.

  • Is it necessary to use parchment paper when baking these bars?

Parchment paper makes removal easier and prevents sticking. If you don’t have parchment paper, generously grease the pan with butter or cooking spray to ensure easy removal.

Print
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe


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4.6 from 29 reviews

  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 16 1x

Description

Sweet holiday magic emerges in these Christmas sugar cookie bars, blending festive cheer with buttery richness. Rich vanilla notes and colorful sprinkles create a nostalgic dessert that brings warmth and joy to family gatherings.


Ingredients

Scale

Main Ingredients:

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour

Dry Ingredients:

  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

Flavor and Decoration:

  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles (plus extra for topping)

Instructions

  1. Prepare the oven environment by heating to 350°F and positioning a parchment paper liner in a 9×13 inch baking pan for seamless bar extraction.
  2. Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
  3. Utilize a separate mixing bowl to cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with enhanced volume.
  4. Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until the ingredients merge harmoniously.
  5. Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to maintain a soft, cohesive dough consistency.
  6. Delicately integrate holiday sprinkles throughout the cookie dough, distributing them evenly for festive visual appeal.
  7. Transfer the prepared dough into the parchment-lined pan, using gentle pressure to create an uniform layer across the surface.
  8. Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until edges acquire a delicate golden hue.
  9. Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely, enabling structural stabilization.
  10. Prepare frosting by combining butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, whipping until achieving a silky, smooth texture.
  11. Generously spread the prepared frosting across the cooled cookie surface, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
  12. Garnish the frosted bars with additional holiday sprinkles for festive decoration.
  13. Slice into individual bars and serve at room temperature.

Notes

  • Customize sprinkles based on the holiday season, using red and green for Christmas or pastel colors for Easter.
  • Soften butter and cream cheese at room temperature for smoother, lump-free mixing and better texture.
  • Substitute gluten-free flour blend for a celiac-friendly version, ensuring the same delightful taste and texture.
  • Reduce sugar by 25% if you prefer less sweetness, maintaining the cookie bar’s delicate structure.
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Desserts, Snacks
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 16
  • Calories: 210
  • Sugar: 10 g
  • Sodium: 70 mg
  • Fat: 12 g
  • Saturated Fat: 7 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 26 g
  • Fiber: 0 g
  • Protein: 2 g
  • Cholesterol: 30 mg
James Hambly

James Hambly

Founder & Recipe Creator

Expertise

Recipe Development, Culinary Education, Farm-to-Table Cooking, Southern Cuisine

Education

Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College
Certificate in Culinary Arts
Focus: Hands-on training in professional cooking techniques, emphasizing farm-to-table practices and Southern cuisine.

The Chef’s Academy
Associate Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Comprehensive culinary education covering global cuisines, kitchen management, and food safety.​


James grew up surrounded by the smells of cast-iron skillets and slow-cooked Southern meals in Asheville, North Carolina.
He sharpened his skills with a Certificate in Culinary Arts from Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, and later leveled up with an Associate Degree from The Chef’s Academy.
James’s philosophy is simple: the best meals don’t need fancy tricks, just fresh ingredients, a hot pan, and a little bit of heart. His favorite days are spent testing one-pan wonders, chasing bold flavors, and creating recipes that feel easy, even on a busy night.

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