Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft, buttery, and topped with creamy vanilla frosting, these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect festive dessert for the holiday season. They deliver all the classic sugar cookie flavor you love without the hassle of rolling and cutting dough. With colorful holiday sprinkles and a melt-in-your-mouth texture, these dessert bars are ideal for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, easy dessert ideas, holiday baking, and family gatherings. This easy recipe is perfect for busy bakers looking for quick holiday desserts, Christmas food ideas, easy party treats, and make-ahead dessert bars. Every bite is packed with sweet vanilla flavor and soft cookie goodness that pairs perfectly with hot cocoa, coffee, or eggnog during the winter season.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup sour cream
- ½ cup unsalted butter softened
- 4 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch salt
- Red and green holiday sprinkles
- White sprinkles or candy pearls
Instructions
- 1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- 2. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- 3. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract.
- 4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- 5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
- 6. Fold in the sour cream and mix just until smooth.
- 7. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- 8. Bake for 18–24 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
- 9. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- 10. To make the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then gradually mix in powdered sugar, vanilla extract, salt, and heavy cream until smooth and fluffy.
- 11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- 12. Decorate with holiday sprinkles immediately after frosting.
- 13. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars or they may become dry instead of soft and chewy.
Allow the cookie bars to cool fully before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
Chill the frosted bars for 15 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts and better presentation.
Nutrition
Serving: 1barCalories: 320kcalCarbohydrates: 42gProtein: 3gFat: 16gSaturated Fat: 10gPolyunsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 55mgSodium: 120mgFiber: 1gSugar: 29g
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