Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

ByLily Carter
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If you love the classic taste of sugar cookies but want something a little easier to slice and share, this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is absolutely for you. It’s like all the best parts of your favorite holiday cookies baked into one soft, buttery bar that’s perfect for festive gatherings or just cozying up at home with a cup of hot cocoa. What I especially love is how this recipe balances that nostalgic sweetness with a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture every single time.

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe also shines because it’s straightforward and forgiving, which makes it perfect whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting out in the kitchen. The frosting on top adds a creamy finish with sprinkles that bring a burst of holiday cheer — it’s one of those desserts that looks as good as it tastes, so it’s sure to impress your guests without any stress.

Ingredients You’ll Need

The ingredients here work beautifully together to create a rich but tender cookie base that’s just right for bars. I always recommend fresh vanilla extract if you can grab it — it really makes a difference in flavor.

  • Butter: Use unsalted for better control over saltiness, and make sure it’s softened to room temperature for easy mixing.
  • Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and that classic sugar cookie texture.
  • Brown sugar: Gives a hint of molasses flavor and helps keep the cookie bars moist.
  • Egg: Binds everything together and adds richness.
  • Almond extract: Just a touch adds a lovely depth of flavor that pairs amazingly with vanilla.
  • Vanilla extract: The star flavor – always opt for pure vanilla if possible.
  • Baking powder: Helps the bars rise slightly so they aren’t too dense.
  • All-purpose flour: The base that gives structure without weighing the bars down.
  • Cornstarch: This ingredient is a little secret of mine for making these bars extra tender and soft.
  • Salt: Enhances the sweetness and balances the flavors beautifully.
  • Heavy cream: Used in the frosting to make it smooth and luscious.
  • Powdered sugar: Sweetens the frosting and helps it spread easily.
  • Christmas sprinkles: Because what’s a holiday treat without a pop of color and fun?

Variations

One of the things I love most about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to tweak for your own tastes or dietary needs. Don’t be afraid to get creative—you can always swap ingredients or add your favorite holiday flavors.

  • Gluten-free option: I’ve successfully used a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend and the bars still turn out soft and delightful, just be sure to check your baking powder is gluten-free.
  • Spiced version: Adding a teaspoon of cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg gives these bars a cozy, spiced twist perfect for a winter vibe.
  • Chocolate chip add-in: Sometimes I throw in mini chocolate chips before baking for a fun surprise and extra richness.
  • Sugar-free substitute: You can replace granulated and powdered sugar with erythritol or your preferred sweetener—just adjust to taste as sweetness levels vary.

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

Start by softening your butter to room temperature—it should feel almost like room temp cream cheese. Then, beat it together with the granulated sugar and brown sugar until smooth and fluffy. This step is crucial because it incorporates air, giving those bars a light, tender crumb that’s just irresistible!

Step 2: Add the Egg and Extracts

Next, crack in the egg and mix thoroughly, followed by the almond and vanilla extracts. I usually do a little taste test here — the combined aroma of vanilla and almond fills the kitchen and gets me even more excited for these bars!

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Mix

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Then gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing just until everything is combined. Be careful not to overmix here; you want the dough tender, not tough.

Step 4: Bake Your Cookie Bars

Spread the dough evenly into a greased or parchment-lined 8×8-inch baking pan. Bake in a preheated 350°F oven for about 18-20 minutes. Keep an eye on them towards the end; you’re looking for lightly golden edges but a soft center—this tells you they’ll come out perfectly soft and chewy after cooling.

Step 5: Prepare the Frosting

While the bars cool, whip up the frosting by beating the softened butter, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar until smooth and spreadable. I like my frosting on the thicker side so it holds shapes when I spread, but if it feels too stiff, a little more cream thins it out nicely.

Step 6: Frost and Decorate

Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Finally, shower on all those festive Christmas sprinkles—because it simply wouldn’t be a holiday treat without a little sparkle!

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

The image shows nine small white bowls arranged neatly on a white marbled surface, each containing different baking ingredients. At the top left, a bowl holds two thick slabs of pale yellow butter with a soft texture. To its right, a single brown egg is placed directly on the surface. Next to the egg is a bowl filled with small round sprinkles in red, white, and green colors. Below the butter, a bowl contains dark brown sugar with a grainy texture. In the middle center, a small bowl holds a white liquid, likely milk, and to its right is a bowl of thick beige syrup. Below these, a tiny bowl contains white granulated salt. At the bottom left, a bowl is filled with fine white flour, and finally, on the bottom right, a bowl contains a smooth, creamy white mixture, appearing thick and swirled. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Garnishes

I personally love adding a pinch of coarse sugar on top of the frosting before the sprinkles for an extra crunch. Sometimes I’ll sprinkle with a few edible glitter flakes too, just to amp up the holiday glam when we have guests.

Side Dishes

These cookie bars pair beautifully with a warm drink — my go-to is a peppermint mocha or a classic cup of eggnog. They’re also lovely alongside a plate of fruit or nuts if you want to balance out the sweetness a bit.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve presented these bars on a tiered cookie stand for holiday parties and even wrapped individual bars in festive cellophane tied with a ribbon for gifts. They’re also great cut into bite-sized pieces and arranged in a pretty box for a homemade holiday treat to share.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I keep leftover Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. They stay nice and soft, but if you like a slightly firmer bar, slipping them into the fridge works too—just let them come to room temp before eating.

Freezing

These bars freeze surprisingly well! I usually cut them into squares, flash freeze on a baking sheet, then transfer to a freezer-safe container or bag. When you want a treat, thaw at room temperature — frosting stays creamy with no issue.

Reheating

If you like your cookie bars a bit warm, a few seconds in the microwave does the trick. Just warm one bar for about 10 seconds, and enjoy that soft, melty frosting and freshly baked feeling all over again!

FAQs

  1. Can I make the dough ahead of time?

    Absolutely! You can prepare the dough and keep it refrigerated for up to 24 hours before baking. This can even enhance the flavor and texture. Just bring it to room temperature before spreading in the pan.

  2. What if I don’t have cornstarch?

    If you don’t have cornstarch on hand, you can substitute with potato starch or tapioca starch. These will also help tenderize the bars. If none of these are available, you can omit it, but your bars may be slightly less soft.

  3. Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?

    Yes! If you use salted butter, I recommend reducing the additional salt slightly (or skipping it altogether) to avoid over-salting.

  4. How do I get the frosting to be the right consistency?

    Start by beating your butter until very smooth, then add powdered sugar gradually, followed by heavy cream. Adjust cream teaspoon by teaspoon until the frosting is spreadable but not runny. The vanilla adds flavor and softens the texture.

  5. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?

    Yes, you can swap butter for a dairy-free margarine or coconut oil and use a dairy-free cream substitute for the frosting. The bars will have a slightly different texture and flavor, but still delicious!

Final Thoughts

This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe holds a special place in my holiday baking lineup because it’s truly the spirit of festive baking made easy. Whether you’re baking with kids, prepping for a cookie swap, or just want a sweet moment for yourself, these bars won’t disappoint. So, go ahead—give this recipe a try, add your favorite touches, and make your holidays even sweeter with every bite!

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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.7 from 105 reviews
  • Author: Lily
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 20 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 16 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
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Description

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive twist on classic sugar cookies, baked into deliciously thick bars and topped with creamy vanilla frosting and colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars combine a soft, buttery cookie base with a smooth, sweet frosting that is easy to make and sure to impress friends and family.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Base

  • 1/2 cup butter, softened
  • 1/2 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1/4 tsp almond extract
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/2 tsp baking powder
  • 1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 tbsp cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp salt

Frosting

  • 4 tbsp butter, salted or unsalted, softened
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 3 tbsp heavy cream
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Christmas sprinkles, for decoration

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Cookie Base: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, almond extract, and vanilla extract, then beat until combined.
  2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined to form the cookie dough.
  3. Bake the Bars: Line a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper and spread the cookie dough evenly into the pan. Bake for approximately 18-22 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  4. Make the Frosting: In a bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Add the vanilla extract and heavy cream, then gradually add powdered sugar while mixing until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Adjust consistency with additional cream or powdered sugar if needed.
  5. Frost the Bars: Once the cookie bars have completely cooled, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with Christmas sprinkles as desired.
  6. Serve and Enjoy: Cut the bars into squares and serve. Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.

Notes

  • Ensure the cookie bars are fully cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
  • You can substitute almond extract with an equal amount of vanilla extract if preferred.
  • For a dairy-free option, use plant-based butter and cream substitutes.
  • Sprinkles can be customized to match any holiday theme or omitted altogether.
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Life at home is full of love, laughter, and good food. I’m Lily Carter, a mom to two lively girls who keep me on my toes. When I’m not with them, I’m in the kitchen cooking meals that bring us comfort. And it’s not just me—my husband’s the quiet force behind the scenes, making sure everything looks just as good as it tastes.

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