Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect holiday dessert when you want all the magic of sugar cookies without the rolling, cutting, and waiting. These bars are soft, thick, and buttery with a tender crumb and a sweet vanilla flavor. Topped with a luscious, colorful frosting and festive sprinkles, they’re everything you love about Christmas cookies—in easy-to-make bar form. Whether you’re baking for a party, gifting sweets to friends, or creating a dessert tray for the family, these cookie bars bring color and cheer to every bite. They’re simple, delicious, and made with basic pantry ingredients. Plus, they slice up beautifully and serve a crowd, making them a holiday favorite in any baker’s kitchen.
What Makes These Bars So Special?
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars have all the nostalgic flavor of classic sugar cookies—sweet, buttery, and melt-in-your-mouth soft—but with none of the fuss. No chilling, rolling, or cookie cutters are needed. Just press the dough into a pan, bake, frost, and decorate. They’re festive, pretty, and kid-friendly, making them a go-to dessert for holiday gatherings or cookie exchanges.
Cooking Time
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Servings: 12–16 bars
Ingredients
For the Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp almond extract (optional)
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Food coloring (red, green, or any festive color)
- Holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Make the Cookie Dough
In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and mix until well combined.
2. Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
3. Bake the Bars
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before frosting.
4. Make and Apply the Frosting
In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream or milk. Add food coloring of choice and beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread evenly over cooled cookie bars and top with festive sprinkles.
Variations
- Flavored Frosting: Add peppermint or orange extract for a holiday twist.
- Color Play: Split the frosting and use different colors for a multicolored batch.
- Chocolate Touch: Add mini white or milk chocolate chips to the dough.
- Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend in place of regular flour.
- Dairy-Free: Swap butter with dairy-free alternatives and use plant-based milk.
Equipment You’ll Need
- Mixing bowls
- Electric mixer or stand mixer
- Measuring cups and spoons
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Spatula or offset spatula
- Parchment paper (optional)
Nutritional Information (Per Bar, Approx.)
- Calories: ~280
- Carbohydrates: 34g
- Fat: 14g
- Protein: 2g
- Sugar: 22g
Storage Tips
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Can last up to 1 week when kept chilled.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
My Cooking Experience
With over 4 years in the kitchen, I’ve found that these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are one of the easiest and most crowd-pleasing holiday treats to make. They’re simple to prepare, versatile in flavor and decoration, and always a favorite at holiday parties. Kids love helping decorate them, and the results are both beautiful and delicious. These bars have become a holiday staple in my kitchen.
Conclusion
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the ideal holiday dessert for busy bakers who still want to impress. Soft, buttery, and topped with sweet, colorful frosting, they’re festive enough for any celebration yet easy enough for a weeknight treat. Whether you’re sharing with neighbors, serving guests, or just enjoying a little holiday cheer, this recipe brings joy to every bite.
christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Method
- In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract (if using), and mix until well combined.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely before frosting.
- In a medium bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, vanilla, and cream or milk. Add food coloring of choice and beat until fluffy and smooth. Spread evenly over cooled cookie bars and top with festive sprinkles.
Notes
- Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
- Refrigerator: Can last up to 1 week when kept chilled.
- Freezer: Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw and frost before serving.
