Say hello to your new holiday must-bake: Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. Imagine the joy of crowd-pleasing sugar cookies, made even easier and more irresistible by baking the dough all at once and slathering it in dreamy, fluffy frosting. These bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with festive color thanks to a heavy hand of holiday sprinkles. With every bite, you’ll taste classic sugar cookie flavor and the nostalgia of Christmas gatherings—all without the fuss of cutting out shapes or fighting with sticky dough. Whether you’re sharing with friends or treating yourself by the twinkling tree lights, Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars deliver pure holiday magic.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Pulling together Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars is delightfully easy, and the real magic comes from using good, simple ingredients. Each item in this recipe plays a part—contributing to the cookie’s soft crumb, rich taste, and signature melt-in-your-mouth texture (with just the right pop of color on top!).
- All-purpose flour: The backbone of the bars, giving them that classic cookie structure while staying soft and chewy.
- Baking powder: Adds subtle lift so the cookie bars bake up tender instead of dense.
- Salt: Just a touch rounds out the sweetness and balances every bite.
- Unsalted butter (softened): Provides richness and keeps the bars super moist—a must for buttery sugar cookies.
- Granulated sugar: The key to sweetness and a tender crumb.
- Large egg: Adds structure and richness, keeping everything held together.
- Large egg yolk: Extra yolk means even more chew and a little extra decadence.
- Vanilla extract: This classic flavor enhancer gives that beloved sugar cookie aroma and taste.
- Almond extract (optional): A little goes a long way—try it if you love that bakery-style sugar cookie finish.
- Holiday sprinkles: The finishing touch, adding festive color and crunch to every bar.
- Frosting: Creamy, homemade frosting is non-negotiable—see details below.
- For the frosting:
- Unsalted butter (softened): Whips up silky smooth for the creamiest frosting base.
- Powdered sugar: Lends structure and sweetness without any graininess.
- Heavy cream or milk: Just enough to make your frosting perfectly spreadable and luscious.
- Vanilla extract: Deepens the frosting flavor and rounds out the sweetness.
- Pinch of salt: Balances all the sugary notes for a frosting you could eat by the spoonful.
- Food coloring (optional): Go red, green, or stick with classic white—it’s your holiday canvas.
- Additional sprinkles: For a little extra sparkle (and fun for the kids to help with, too!).
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Your Pan
Start by heating your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy lifting. Alternatively, lightly grease the pan. This sets the stage for easy removal and clean slices once the bars are baked.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt. The whisking step evenly distributes everything and prevents clumps—crucial for uniform texture in your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and granulated sugar using an electric mixer. Beat for 2-3 minutes until the mixture is fluffy and pale, which traps air for that lovely, tender cookie texture.
Step 4: Add Eggs and Extracts
Crack in the egg and the extra yolk. Add the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using). Continue mixing until everything is thoroughly combined. This is where your bars get their rich flavor and beautiful, light color.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the flour mixture into the butter mixture, mixing just until no dry streaks remain. Over-mixing can lead to tough bars, so stir with care! The dough should be soft but thick.
Step 6: Press and Bake
Spread and press the dough evenly into the prepared pan, making sure to reach the edges and corners. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are a light golden and the center is set but still soft when gently pressed. Let the bars cool completely in the pan for the perfect base.
Step 7: Make and Color the Frosting
For the frosting, beat the softened butter until creamy and smooth. Gradually add in the powdered sugar, then pour in the heavy cream or milk, vanilla, and a pinch of salt. Beat until fluffy and light. If you’re feeling festive, add a few drops of food coloring and blend until the color is even.
Step 8: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting generously over the cooled cookie bars. Top with a generous layer of holiday sprinkles or any other fun toppings you like. This is where Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars turn into pure holiday joy! Slice into squares for serving.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Garnishes
The best part? You can make these bars uniquely yours with themed garnishes. Besides the classic holiday sprinkles, try adding edible glitter, colored sugar, or tiny candy cane bits to give each bite an extra sparkle and festive crunch.
Side Dishes
Serve these bars with mugs of hot cocoa, rich coffee, or a glass of cold milk—it’s the classic combo! For parties, pair them with a platter of fresh fruit or a big bowl of mixed nuts to balance the sweetness and keep everyone snacking happily.
Creative Ways to Present
Cut the bars into fun shapes using cookie cutters, box them up with a ribbon for homemade gifts, or layer different colored frosting for a Christmas parade of flavors. Arrange on a decorative platter for your dessert table and watch them disappear in a flash.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftover Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars fresh by storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days. Be sure to separate layers with parchment paper to keep the frosting perfect and prevent sticking.
Freezing
Want to get a jump on holiday baking? Freeze the cut, frosted bars in a single layer until firm, then stack them in airtight containers separated by parchment or wax paper. The bars can be frozen for up to 2 months—just thaw in the fridge or at room temperature when you’re ready to serve.
Reheating
These bars are delicious straight from the container, but if you love a tender bite, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes after refrigeration. Microwaving isn’t necessary and can soften the frosting too much, so stick to a gentle room-temp thaw.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars without almond extract?
Absolutely! The almond extract adds a subtle bakery-style note, but leaving it out won’t affect the overall deliciousness or texture of the bars. Simply replace it with more vanilla extract if desired.
Can I double this recipe for a crowd?
Yes, you can easily double the recipe and bake in two 9×13-inch pans, or use a larger rimmed baking sheet. Keep an eye on the baking time—thicker batches may need a few extra minutes to set in the middle.
How do I know when the bars are fully baked?
Look for lightly golden edges and a center that appears slightly set but not dry. The bars will continue to firm up as they cool, so avoid over-baking—that’s the secret to soft and chewy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars!
Can I use store-bought frosting?
If you’re short on time, store-bought vanilla frosting works just fine. Give it a quick whip with a mixer and tint it with a few drops of food coloring for a festive look.
What’s the best way to cut neat squares?
For super clean cuts, chill the bars with the frosting in the fridge for about 30 minutes first. Use a sharp, non-serrated knife and wipe the blade between each cut for perfect edges.
Final Thoughts
It’s impossible not to smile when you bite into these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. They’re simple, festive, and so easy to share—perfect for making your holiday just a bit sweeter. Gather some sprinkles, whip up a batch, and create new memories around the most delightful treat of the season!
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful holiday treat that combines the flavors of traditional sugar cookies with the ease of a bar cookie. Soft, chewy, and topped with a creamy frosting, these bars are perfect for festive gatherings or a sweet indulgence at home.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- Holiday sprinkles for decoration
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional)
- Additional sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- Prepare the Dough: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) and mix until combined. Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Bake the Bars: Press the dough into the prepared pan and bake for 20-25 minutes until golden. Cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting: Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar, cream or milk, vanilla, and salt. Beat until fluffy. Add food coloring if desired.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, top with sprinkles, then cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Add festive flair by using different sprinkle shapes or colored frosting.
- Store bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 60mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
