Christmas Sugar Cookies Bars
bit of holiday magic to your kitchen with these Christmas Sugar Cookies Bars. Soft, buttery cookie bars topped with a luscious frosting and festive sprinkles, these bars are the perfect treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy family gatherings.
Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookies Bars:
- Festive and Fun: Topped with colorful sprinkles, these cookies bars add a cheerful touch to your holiday table.
- Easy to Make: No need to roll out individual cookies—just press the dough into a pan, bake, and frost!
- Perfect for Sharing: Cut into bars, they’re easy to serve and great for gifting.
Recipe Details
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 24 bars
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk)
- Food coloring (optional, for a festive touch)
- Holiday sprinkles for decorating
Directions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Bars
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Press Into Pan: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
- Beat Butter: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If using food coloring, add a few drops now and mix until fully incorporated.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with holiday sprinkles.
Kitchen Equipment Needed
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Parchment paper (for lining the pan)
- Offset spatula (optional, for spreading frosting evenly)
Tips for Success
- Even Thickness: To ensure the bars bake evenly, use a spatula to press the dough flat and evenly into the pan.
- Cooling Time: Make sure the bars are completely cool before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- Custom Decorations: Feel free to customize the colors of the frosting and sprinkles to match any holiday or celebration.
Storage Information
- Refrigeration: Store the frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: You can freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw completely before frosting and decorating.
Food Pairing
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars pair wonderfully with a glass of milk, hot cocoa, or a cup of holiday-spiced tea, making them the perfect cozy dessert.
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Bring a bit of holiday magic to your kitchen with these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. Soft, buttery cookie bars topped with a luscious frosting and festive sprinkles, these bars are the perfect treat for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or cozy family gatherings
Equipment
- 9×13 inch baking pan
- Electric mixer (handheld or stand mixer)
- Large mixing bowl
- Parchment paper (for lining the pan)
- Offset spatula (optional, for spreading frosting evenly)
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened
- 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- Food coloring optional, for a festive touch
- Holiday sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
Step 1: Make the Cookie Bars
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
- Add Egg and Extracts: Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using).
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until combined.
- Press Into Pan: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake: Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 2: Make the Frosting
- Beat Butter: In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Add Sugar and Vanilla: Gradually add the powdered sugar, 1/2 cup at a time, followed by the vanilla extract and heavy cream. Beat until smooth and fluffy. If using food coloring, add a few drops now and mix until fully incorporated.
- Frost the Bars: Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Decorate with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
Share and Subscribe!
Love this recipe? Share it with your friends and family, and be sure to subscribe for more festive recipes. Follow us on social media for holiday inspiration and behind-the-scenes kitchen fun!
Love this recipe? Share it with your friends and family, and be sure to subscribe for more festive recipes. Follow us on social media for holiday inspiration and behind-the-scenes kitchen fun!