Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting covered in festive holiday sprinkles. These easy dessert bars have all the classic flavors of traditional sugar cookies without the extra work of rolling, cutting, and decorating individual cookies. They are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, holiday dessert trays, and homemade edible gifts.

With a thick and chewy cookie base and a smooth, creamy frosting, every bite is packed with sweet vanilla flavor. The colorful Christmas sprinkles make these bars festive and fun, while the simple preparation makes them ideal for beginner and experienced bakers alike. Whether you are baking for family gatherings or adding something special to your holiday dessert table, these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are guaranteed to be a crowd favorite.

Ingredients List

For the Sugar Cookie Bars

For the Vanilla Buttercream

For Decoration

Serving Prep Time Cooking Time Calories

Why You Will Love This Recipe

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and incredibly easy to make. Unlike traditional sugar cookies, there is no rolling, chilling, or cutting required. Simply press the dough into a baking pan, bake, frost, and decorate.

The thick cookie base stays tender while the creamy vanilla buttercream adds the perfect finishing touch. They are ideal for holiday baking because they can be made ahead of time and decorated however you like.

These festive bars are perfect for Christmas parties, school events, cookie exchanges, and homemade holiday gifts.

Step By Step Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9 by 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

Mix in the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract if using.

Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.

Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.

Allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting.

For the buttercream, beat the butter until creamy.

Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth and fluffy.

Tint the frosting with food coloring if desired.

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.

Decorate generously with Christmas sprinkles, holiday candies, and colored sugar.

Slice into squares and serve.

Variations To Try

Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough for extra sweetness. Mix crushed peppermint candies into the frosting for a festive peppermint flavor. Use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream for a tangy twist. Decorate with holiday shaped candies or edible glitter for a colorful presentation. Add festive sanding sugar for extra sparkle.

Freezing Or Restoring

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days or refrigerate for up to one week.

Freeze unfrosted cookie bars for up to three months. Thaw completely before frosting and decorating.

Individual frosted bars can also be frozen in airtight containers with parchment paper between the layers.

Recipe Notes

Do not overbake the cookie bars to keep them soft and chewy. Allow the bars to cool completely before adding frosting. Room temperature butter creates the smoothest cookie dough and frosting. Use gel food coloring for vibrant holiday colors without thinning the frosting. Decorate immediately after frosting so the sprinkles stick well.

FAQs

Can I make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars ahead of time?

Yes. Bake the cookie bars one or two days ahead and frost them before serving.

Can I freeze these cookie bars?

Yes. Freeze unfrosted bars for up to three months, then thaw and decorate when ready to serve.

Can I use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream?

Absolutely. Cream cheese frosting pairs wonderfully with these soft sugar cookie bars.

How do I keep the bars soft?

Store them in an airtight container and avoid overbaking the cookie base.

What decorations work best?

Christmas sprinkles, candy canes, mini marshmallows, edible glitter, colored sugar, and holiday candies all make beautiful toppings.

Conclusion

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are an easy holiday dessert that combines a soft buttery sugar cookie base with creamy vanilla buttercream and festive decorations. They are simple to prepare, perfect for holiday gatherings, and much easier than making traditional cut out cookies. Whether you are baking for family, friends, or cookie exchanges, these festive bars are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Recipe by Mian waqar

Servings

16

servings

Prep time

20

minutes

Cooking time

20

minutes

Calories

330

kcal

Ingredients

• For the Sugar Cookie Bars

• 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

• 1 large egg

• 1 large egg yolk

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, optional

• For the Vanilla Buttercream

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened

• 4 cups powdered sugar

• 2 tablespoons heavy cream

• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

• Pinch of salt

• Green and red food coloring, optional

• For Decoration

• Christmas sprinkles

• Holiday candy decorations

• Colored sugar

• Mini marshmallows, optional

Directions

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9 × 13 inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
• Beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
• Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract.
• Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
• Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
• Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until lightly golden around the edges.
• Cool the bars completely.
• Beat the butter for the frosting until creamy.
• Gradually add the powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until smooth.
• Tint the frosting if desired and spread it evenly over the cooled bars.
• Decorate with Christmas sprinkles and holiday candies.
• Slice into 16 bars and serve.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Do not overbake the cookie bars to keep them soft and chewy.
  Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
  Gel food coloring gives brighter colors without thinning the frosting.
  Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature or 1 week in the refrigerator.
  Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 3 months.
  Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a festive holiday flavor.
  Decorate immediately after frosting so the sprinkles stick well.
  These bars are perfect for Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, and holiday gift boxes.