Description
These Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting are the kind of easy festive dessert that makes me excited to bake the moment the season starts. They have all the flavor of classic sugar cookies in a softer, thicker, more effortless bar form, topped with a creamy tangy frosting and cheerful holiday sprinkles. This is the perfect easy recipe for holiday baking, Christmas dessert trays, party food ideas, sweet snack recipes, and simple make-ahead treats when you want beautiful results without the extra work of rolling and cutting cookies.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
3 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 mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then mix in the vanilla extract.
5. Gradually 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 and smooth the top.
7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth and creamy.
10. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk, then beat until the frosting is fluffy and spreadable.
11. Spread the cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars.
12. Top with holiday sprinkles, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars. Pull them out when the edges are just turning light golden so they stay soft and tender.
Chill the frosted bars for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing if you want especially clean, bakery-style squares.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 11g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 38mg
Keywords: holiday sugar cookie bars, cream cheese frosting, christmas dessert, easy cookie bars, holiday baking, sugar cookie dessert, festive dessert bars, christmas cookie bars