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
- 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.
- Combine flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing vessel, whisking thoroughly to ensure uniform distribution of dry ingredients.
- Utilize a separate mixing bowl to cream butter and sugar until the mixture transforms into a light, airy texture with enhanced volume.
- Incorporate egg and vanilla extract into the butter-sugar mixture, blending until the ingredients merge harmoniously.
- Gently fold the dry ingredient mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring carefully to maintain a soft, cohesive dough consistency.
- Delicately integrate holiday sprinkles throughout the cookie dough, distributing them evenly for festive visual appeal.
- Transfer the prepared dough into the parchment-lined pan, using gentle pressure to create an uniform layer across the surface.
- Position the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes, monitoring until edges acquire a delicate golden hue.
- Remove from oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely, enabling structural stabilization.
- Prepare frosting by combining butter, cream cheese, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt, whipping until achieving a silky, smooth texture.
- Generously spread the prepared frosting across the cooled cookie surface, ensuring comprehensive coverage.
- Garnish the frosted bars with additional holiday sprinkles for festive decoration.
- 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