Santa’s No Bake Sugar Cookie Bars
Santa’s No Bake Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive Christmas dessert that brings the flavor of classic sugar cookies into an easy bar style treat. They are sweet, creamy, colorful, and perfect for holiday gatherings. Since these cookie bars require no oven, they are especially convenient when you want to prepare several desserts during the busy Christmas season.
The combination of crushed cookies, creamy butter, powdered sugar, and festive sprinkles creates a delicious texture that feels both familiar and special. A simple frosting layer adds extra sweetness and gives the bars their classic holiday appearance.
These no bake sugar cookie bars are also easy to prepare ahead of time. After chilling, they become firm enough to slice into neat squares or rectangles. Serve them at Christmas parties, cookie exchanges, family dinners, school celebrations, or leave a few out for Santa on Christmas Eve.
Ingredients List
The ingredients are simple and easy to find. Using finely crushed sugar cookies helps create a smooth and firm base.
For the Cookie Base
For the Frosting
Serving, Prep Time, Cooking Time, and Calories
Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Chilling Time: 2 hours
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Calories: Approximately 285 calories per bar
Calories are an estimate and can vary depending on the specific cookies, frosting ingredients, and portion size used.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
Santa’s No Bake Sugar Cookie Bars are perfect for anyone who loves simple holiday desserts. The recipe does not require an oven, which makes it convenient for busy days when you already have several dishes cooking.
The bars have a rich sugar cookie flavor with a creamy frosting layer and festive sprinkles. Their colorful appearance makes them look beautiful on a Christmas dessert table without requiring complicated decorating skills.
Another reason to love these bars is their make ahead convenience. You can prepare them several hours before serving and keep them chilled until you are ready to slice and serve.
They are also easy to customize. You can use different Christmas sprinkles, add a drizzle of white chocolate, or change the frosting flavor to create your own holiday version.
Step By Step Instructions
Prepare the Cookie Base
Crush the Cookies
Place the sugar cookies into a food processor and pulse until they become fine crumbs. If you do not have a food processor, place the cookies in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Combine the Ingredients
Add the cookie crumbs to a large bowl. Pour in the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk. Stir until the mixture is evenly combined and holds together when pressed.
Press Into the Pan
Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper. Transfer the cookie mixture into the pan and press it firmly into an even layer. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to create a smooth surface.
Make the Frosting
Beat the Butter
Place the softened butter in a mixing bowl and beat until smooth and creamy.
Add the Powdered Sugar
Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing. Continue until the frosting becomes smooth and fluffy.
Add Milk and Vanilla
Add the milk and vanilla extract. Beat again until the frosting reaches a spreadable consistency. Add a small amount of extra milk if needed.
Assemble the Bars
Spread the Frosting
Spread the frosting evenly over the chilled cookie base. Use a spatula to smooth the surface.
Add the Sprinkles
Immediately decorate the frosting with Christmas sprinkles. Press them gently into the frosting so they stay in place.
Chill the Bars
Cover the pan and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Chilling allows the cookie base to become firm and makes the bars easier to cut.
Slice and Serve
Cut Into Bars
Remove the chilled dessert from the pan using the parchment paper. Place it on a cutting board and slice into 16 even bars.
Serve
Serve the bars cold or allow them to sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving. Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Variations To Try
Add White Chocolate
Melt a small amount of white chocolate and drizzle it over the frosting before adding the sprinkles. Allow the chocolate to set before slicing.
Use Different Sprinkles
Traditional red and green sprinkles work beautifully, but you can also use snowflake sprinkles, silver decorations, colorful nonpareils, or crushed peppermint candies.
Add Peppermint Flavor
For a refreshing Christmas twist, add a small amount of peppermint extract to the frosting. Use it sparingly because peppermint extract has a strong flavor.
Try Chocolate Cookies
Chocolate sandwich cookies can replace some or all of the sugar cookies for a chocolate holiday version. The chocolate base pairs especially well with vanilla frosting.
Add Crushed Candy Canes
Sprinkle crushed candy canes over the frosting for extra holiday flavor and a festive finish.
Freezing Or Restoring
These no bake sugar cookie bars can be frozen when stored properly. Place the sliced bars in a freezer safe container with parchment paper between the layers.
Freeze for up to 2 months for the best quality. When you are ready to serve them, transfer the bars to the refrigerator and allow them to thaw gradually.
Avoid leaving the bars uncovered while thawing because moisture can affect the frosting and sprinkles. Once thawed, keep them refrigerated until serving.
For the best texture, allow frozen bars to thaw completely before eating.
Recipe Notes
Use finely crushed cookies to create a smooth and stable base. Larger cookie pieces can make the bars difficult to cut.
Press the cookie mixture firmly into the pan. A tightly packed base will hold together better when sliced.
Make sure the butter is melted but not extremely hot before mixing it with the cookie crumbs.
The frosting should be smooth but thick enough to stay on top of the bars.
Chilling is important because it allows the butter and cookie mixture to firm up.
For clean slices, use a sharp knife and wipe it between cuts.
Keep the finished bars refrigerated in an airtight container.
FAQs
Can I make these bars without a food processor?
Yes. Place the cookies inside a sealed food storage bag and crush them with a rolling pin until they become fine crumbs.
How long do no bake sugar cookie bars last?
When stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, they can generally stay fresh for about 4 to 5 days.
Can I make these bars ahead of Christmas?
Yes. These bars are ideal for making ahead. Prepare them the day before serving and keep them refrigerated until needed.
Why are my cookie bars too soft?
The bars may need more chilling time. Make sure the cookie mixture is pressed firmly into the pan and refrigerate it until completely firm.
Can I use store bought frosting?
Yes. Store bought vanilla frosting can be used when you want to make the recipe even faster.
Can I use other holiday decorations?
Absolutely. You can use Christmas sprinkles, crushed peppermint, colored sugar, mini chocolate chips, or white chocolate drizzle.
Conclusion
Santa’s No Bake Sugar Cookie Bars are an easy and festive dessert that makes holiday baking feel much simpler. With a buttery cookie base, creamy frosting, and colorful Christmas sprinkles, these bars have everything you want in a cheerful holiday treat.
The no bake preparation makes them especially convenient when your oven is already busy with other Christmas recipes. Prepare them ahead, let them chill, slice them into neat bars, and enjoy a sweet dessert that looks beautiful on any holiday table.
Whether you are preparing treats for a Christmas party, cookie exchange, family gathering, or Christmas Eve celebration, these Santa inspired sugar cookie bars are a fun addition to the dessert spread.
Santa’s No Bake Sugar Cookie Bars
Course: Deserts Recipes16
servings20
minutes285
kcalIngredients
Cookie Base
2 1/2 cups finely crushed sugar cookies
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk
Frosting
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles
Directions
- Line an 8 inch square baking pan with parchment paper.
- Crush the sugar cookies into fine crumbs using a food processor or rolling pin.
- Add the cookie crumbs, melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to a bowl.
- Mix until the ingredients are well combined and the mixture holds together.
- Press the mixture firmly into the prepared pan and smooth the surface.
- Refrigerate the cookie base while preparing the frosting.
- Beat the softened butter until creamy.
- Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
- Add the milk and vanilla extract, then beat until the frosting is creamy and spreadable.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the chilled cookie base.
- Decorate with Christmas sprinkles.
- Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
- Remove the bars from the pan and cut into 16 squares.
- Serve chilled or slightly softened at room temperature.
Recipe Video
Notes
- For the best texture, crush the sugar cookies very finely and press the mixture firmly into the pan. Keep the finished bars refrigerated in an airtight container. You can prepare them a day ahead and decorate them with different Christmas sprinkles, crushed peppermint, or a white chocolate drizzle.
