Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are everything I want in a holiday dessert: soft, buttery, easy to bake, and topped with a rich creamy frosting that makes every bite feel festive. I love making them when I need a quick dessert for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, Christmas movie nights, or simple family baking days. They bring all the flavor of classic sugar cookies into an easy bar recipe, which makes them perfect for dessert lovers looking for easy holiday treats, Christmas dessert ideas, cookie bar recipes, party desserts, and fun food ideas for the season.
Ingredients
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 to 2 tablespoons milk
2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Mix in the egg, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and almond extract until smooth.
5. Add the dry ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 14 to 17 minutes, until the top is set and the edges are lightly golden.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
9. For the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter and cream cheese until smooth.
10. Add powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and enough milk to make the frosting thick but spreadable.
11. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
12. Top with holiday sprinkles, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
Use room temperature butter and cream cheese so the dough and frosting mix smoothly without lumps.
Do not overbake the bars. Pull them out when the center is set and the edges are only lightly golden for the softest texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 248
- Sugar: 22g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 34mg
Keywords: Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, holiday dessert, sugar cookie bars, Christmas dessert ideas, cookie bar recipe, easy dessert, holiday baking, party dessert, festive dessert