Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the kind of holiday treat that instantly makes a dessert table feel more festive. They have the soft, buttery flavor of classic sugar cookies, but without the extra work of rolling, cutting, and baking batch after batch. Everything goes into one pan, which means less effort and more time to enjoy the fun part, decorating them with creamy frosting and cheerful sprinkles.

What makes these bars especially perfect for the season is how easy they are to share. You can slice them into neat squares for cookie trays, wrap them up for gifting, or serve them at parties where everyone wants something sweet and simple. The tender cookie base, smooth frosting, and bright holiday colors create a dessert that feels nostalgic, pretty, and completely crowd-pleasing.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a smart choice when you want all the flavor of a traditional sugar cookie in a much easier format. Instead of chilling dough, cutting shapes, and decorating each cookie one by one, you press the dough into a baking pan and frost everything at once. That makes them ideal for busy weeks filled with family gatherings, school events, and holiday parties.

They are also wonderfully adaptable. You can tint the frosting red, green, or even a soft winter white, then finish the bars with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, or a few festive sugar pearls. The result is a dessert that looks bakery-worthy but feels very manageable for home bakers.

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons cornstarch

For the frosting

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pinch of salt
Red and green food coloring, optional
Christmas sprinkles, as needed

Step 1: Prepare the pan and oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper so the bars are easy to lift out later. This little step makes slicing and serving much cleaner.

Step 2: Cream the butter and sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This helps create a soft, tender texture in the finished bars.

Step 3: Add the eggs and extracts

Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract. The almond extract gives the bars that classic bakery-style sugar cookie flavor, but it stays subtle enough to let the vanilla shine too.

Step 4: Mix the dry ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. The cornstarch helps keep the bars soft and delicate instead of dense.

Step 5: Combine the dough

Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms. Do not overmix, or the bars can turn out firmer than you want.

Step 6: Press and bake

Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. It helps to lightly grease your hands or an offset spatula so the dough presses down more easily. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.

Step 7: Cool completely

Let the bars cool in the pan until they reach room temperature. Frosting them too early will cause the topping to melt and slide.

Step 8: Make the frosting

Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add the powdered sugar. Mix in the vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and enough heavy cream or milk to create a smooth, spreadable frosting. Tint the frosting with food coloring if you want a more festive finish.

Step 9: Frost and decorate

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Top with Christmas sprinkles right away so they stick well. You can keep the design simple or create swirls of red and green for a more playful holiday look.

Step 10: Slice and serve

Cut the bars into squares or rectangles, depending on how you want to serve them. Smaller pieces work well for party trays, while larger bars feel more like a bakery dessert.

These bars are best served once the frosting has had a little time to set, which makes slicing much neater. They look lovely on a holiday cookie platter alongside fudge, peppermint treats, and shortbread. For a cozy dessert spread, serve them with hot chocolate, coffee, or a mug of spiced tea.

To store them, place the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If your kitchen is warm, refrigerating them is a better option, and they will keep well for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted or frosted bars in layers separated by parchment paper for up to 2 months. Let them thaw in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. These bars are great for making ahead. You can bake them a day in advance, frost them later, and keep them covered until you are ready to serve.

Do I have to use almond extract?

No. Almond extract adds that classic sugar cookie flavor, but you can leave it out and use a little extra vanilla if you prefer.

How do I know when the bars are done baking?

The edges should look lightly golden, and the center should be set without looking wet. Be careful not to overbake, since that can make them dry.

Can I use store-bought frosting?

You can, especially if you need a quick shortcut. Homemade frosting gives a fresher flavor and softer texture, but store-bought frosting will still work.

Yes. They freeze very well. Wrap them tightly and store them in a freezer-safe container. For the freshest texture, thaw them before serving.

What sprinkles work best for these bars?

Holiday jimmies, nonpareils, sanding sugar, or shaped Christmas sprinkles all work nicely. Just avoid anything too large or hard if you want easier slicing.

Want More Christmas Dessert Ideas?

If you love these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, you might also enjoy a few more festive favorites from Nina Dishes:

Peppermint Bark Recipe for a crisp, minty holiday treat that is easy to gift.
Christmas Maraschino Cherry Shortbread Cookies when you want something bright, buttery, and especially pretty on a cookie tray.
Lemon Sugar Cookies for a soft cookie with a fresh citrus twist.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Dream Bars if you are in the mood for something rich, layered, and extra indulgent.
Easy Carrot Cake Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting for another simple bar dessert with a soft texture and sweet frosting finish.

You can explore even more sweet inspiration on Nina Dishes Pinterest, where fresh recipe ideas are shared daily.

📌 Save this recipe to your Pinterest dessert board so you can come back to it any time.

When you make these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, I would love to hear how they turned out. Did you go with classic red and green sprinkles, add crushed candy canes, or try a different frosting color for your holiday table?

Little personal touches always make festive baking more fun, and your version might inspire someone else to try something new. Questions are welcome too, especially if you want help getting the bars extra soft, neatly frosted, or perfectly decorated.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Author: Nina Klatten
Total Time: 40 minutes
Yield: 24 bars

Print Recipe

Description

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a smooth vanilla frosting that makes every bite feel festive. They are an easy holiday dessert baked in one pan, then finished with cheerful sprinkles for a simple treat that is perfect for parties, gifting, and cookie trays.

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and the almond extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch.

5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.

6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.

7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.

8. Cool the bars completely in the pan before frosting.

9. To make the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter until creamy, then mix in the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and enough heavy cream or milk to make it smooth and spreadable.

10. Tint the frosting with red or green food coloring if desired.

11. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and decorate with Christmas sprinkles.

12. Slice into bars and serve.