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.
Ingredients
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
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
red and green food coloring, optional
Christmas sprinkles, as needed
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.
Notes
Use room temperature butter and eggs for a smoother dough and more even texture.
Do not overbake the bars or they will lose their soft sugar cookie texture.
Cool the bars completely before frosting so the topping stays thick and neat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 255
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
Keywords: Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, holiday cookie bars, frosted sugar cookie bars, Christmas dessert bars