Why You’ll Love Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Easy to make with no rolling or cookie cutters required.
- Soft, tender, and buttery texture in every bite.
- Rich vanilla frosting adds the perfect sweet finish.
- Festive sprinkles make them ideal for Christmas celebrations.
- Great for feeding a crowd.
- Easy to customize with different frosting colors and decorations.
- Can be made ahead, making holiday baking less stressful.
- Perfect for gifting or adding to a holiday dessert tray.
Ingredients
(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
For the cookie bars:
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract (optional)
- Christmas sprinkles
For the frosting:
- Unsalted butter
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk or heavy cream
- Pinch of salt
- Red and green sprinkles for decorating
Directions
- Preheat your oven and prepare a baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
- Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a separate large bowl, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla and almond extract if using.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the Christmas sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft.
- Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
- Beat together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, milk, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Decorate with additional Christmas sprinkles.
- Slice into squares and serve.
Servings and timing
- Servings: 24 bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Bake Time: 20 minutes
- Cooling & Frosting Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: About 1 hour 10 minutes.
Variations
- Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a festive twist.
- Use cream cheese frosting instead of classic buttercream.
- Decorate with crushed candy canes for extra holiday flavor.
- Swap Christmas sprinkles for snowflake or metallic sprinkles.
- Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough.
- Tint the frosting red, green, or both for colorful holiday designs.
- Drizzle melted white chocolate over the finished bars.
- Replace almond extract with extra vanilla if preferred.
Storage/Reheating
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted or frosted bars in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator or at room temperature before serving. Since the frosting softens when heated, these bars are best enjoyed at room temperature rather than reheated.
FAQs
Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes. They can be baked a day or two in advance and frosted before serving.
Why are my cookie bars dry?
They were likely overbaked. Remove them from the oven as soon as the center is set.
Can I freeze these bars?
Yes. Freeze them in an airtight container for up to three months.
What size pan works best?
A 9×13-inch baking pan is the standard size for this recipe.
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Absolutely. Homemade frosting offers the best flavor, but store-bought works well for convenience.
Do I have to use almond extract?
No. You can omit it or replace it with additional vanilla extract.
How do I get clean slices?
Chill the frosted bars for about 20 minutes, then use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Can I use different sprinkles?
Yes. Any seasonal or colored sprinkles can be used for different holidays or celebrations.
How do I keep the frosting from melting?
Make sure the cookie bars are completely cooled before spreading the frosting.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes. Double the ingredients and bake in two 9×13-inch pans or a larger sheet pan, adjusting the baking time as needed.
Conclusion
Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are a simple yet impressive holiday dessert that combines the classic flavor of sugar cookies with the convenience of bar cookies. Soft, buttery, and topped with fluffy vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles, they’re an easy crowd-pleaser that looks beautiful on any Christmas dessert table. Whether you’re baking for a party, cookie exchange, or cozy family celebration, these bars are sure to become a favorite holiday tradition.
Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
These Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with a rich vanilla buttercream frosting and festive sprinkles. They’re an easy holiday dessert that’s perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, and gifting.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
- All-purpose flour
- Baking powder
- Salt
- Unsalted butter
- Granulated sugar
- Eggs
- Vanilla extract
- Almond extract (optional)
- Christmas sprinkles
- Powdered sugar
- Milk or heavy cream
- Red and green sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the oven and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper or lightly greasing it.
- Whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
- In a large bowl, cream the unsalted butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
- Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract if using.
- Gradually add the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in the Christmas sprinkles.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. Do not overbake.
- Cool the bars completely.
- Beat together the butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, milk or heavy cream, and a pinch of salt until smooth and fluffy.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
- Decorate with red and green sprinkles, slice into squares, and serve.
Notes
- Add peppermint extract to the frosting for a festive flavor.
- Use cream cheese frosting instead of buttercream if desired.
- Decorate with crushed candy canes or different seasonal sprinkles.
- Add white chocolate chips to the cookie dough for extra sweetness.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days or refrigerate for up to 5 days.
- Freeze frosted or unfrosted bars for up to 3 months and thaw before serving.
- Cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
- Chill frosted bars for 20 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280 kcal
- Sugar: 24 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 13 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 39 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 3 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
