Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a luscious vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles! They’re easier than rolling out individual cookies but just as delicious. Perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or a fun baking activity with kids.
Ingredients
Units
Scale
- For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 egg yolk
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (red, green, or your choice)
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven & Prepare Pan:
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper and lightly grease.
- Make the Cookie Dough:
- In a large bowl, beat butter and sugar together until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
- Mix in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla, and almond extract.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined.
- Bake:
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let cool completely before frosting.
- Make the Frosting:
- Beat butter until creamy, then add powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt.
- Add heavy cream 1 tablespoon at a time until desired consistency is reached.
- Mix in food coloring if desired.
- Frost & Decorate:
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars.
- Sprinkle with festive holiday sprinkles.
- Slice into squares and enjoy!
Notes
- Make Ahead: Bars can be made a day ahead and stored in an airtight container.
- Flavor Options: Swap vanilla for peppermint or orange extract for a fun twist!
- Storage: Store at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16-20 bars
- Category: Dessert, Holiday Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
- Keywords: Christmas Sugar Cookies, Frosted Cookie Bars, Holiday Baking, Easy Sugar Cookies, Christmas Desserts
- Nutrition (Per Bar)
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg
Nutrition
- Calories: 260
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 90mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 35g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 45mg