There’s something magical about the aroma of fresh-baked cookies filling the house during the holidays. These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe bring all that festive joy into one easy, crowd-pleasing pan you’ll want to make again and again.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made countless sugar cookies over the years, but turning them into bars changed everything for me. This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is not only simpler to handle but delivers that perfect soft, buttery bite that feels like a warm hug on a chilly winter day.
- Easy to make: No need for shaping or chilling dough—just mix, spread, and bake.
- Perfect texture: Soft, tender bars with a buttery cream cheese twist that keeps them moist.
- Festive and fun: Loaded with Christmas sprinkles that add a pop of color and holiday cheer.
- Customizable frosting: Whip up a creamy vanilla frosting that you can tint and decorate however you want.
Ingredients & Why They Work
When I first tried this recipe, I was curious about the cream cheese addition—it adds such a lovely tang and ensures your bars won’t dry out during baking. Everything else just comes together to create that classic sugar cookie flavor we all adore.
- Unsalted butter: Softened so it creams perfectly with sugar for that fluffy base.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough while helping create a light texture.
- Eggs: Provide structure and moisture, helping the bars hold together.
- Cream cheese: A game-changer for tender, slightly tangy cookies that stay moist.
- Vanilla extract: Adds warm flavor that complements the buttery richness.
- Flour: Use spooned and leveled all-purpose flour for accuracy and even texture.
- Baking powder: Gives just enough lift without puffing the bars too much.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances flavor nuances.
- Christmas jimmies (sprinkles): Adds colorful festiveness and a sprinkle crunch!
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): For that silky, sweet finish.
- Heavy cream: Adjust for desired frosting consistency and extra creaminess.
- Food coloring (optional): Makes your frosting pop with holiday colors.
- Assorted sprinkles: Your chance to get creative with toppings.
Make It Your Way
One of the best parts about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is how you can tweak it to your liking. I often swap out sprinkles for mini chocolate chips or swirl in peppermint extract when I’m craving something extra festive.
- Variation: Adding peppermint extract (about ½ teaspoon) turns these bars into a minty delight that's perfect for the holidays.
- Dairy-free option: Use vegan butter and cream cheese alternatives for a friendly swap that still tastes great.
- Gluten-free version: Swap the flour for a 1-to-1 gluten-free blend and watch these bars work just as well.
- Decorations: Feel free to play with different sprinkles or holiday candies to match your party theme.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Creaming the butter and sugar
Start by softening your butter so it's easy to mix—about room temperature. I use a handheld mixer to cream the butter and granulated sugar for 3 full minutes until it's pale and fluffy. Trust me, this step makes all the difference in how light your bars will be.
Step 2: Adding eggs, cream cheese, and vanilla
Next, beat in the eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract until smooth. It's normal if the batter looks a bit shiny and thick—that's the cream cheese working its magic to keep the texture soft.
Step 3: Mixing dry ingredients and folding in sprinkles
Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add this to your wet mixture, stirring just until combined. Then fold in those delightful Christmas jimmies to spread festive cheer throughout every bite.
Step 4: Baking the bars
Press your dough evenly into a parchment-lined 9x13 pan. You can use your hands (clean, of course!) or a rubber spatula to get a smooth surface. Bake for 15-17 minutes until the edges just start to turn golden. Don’t overbake—remember, you want soft bars, not crispy ones.
Step 5: Frosting and decorating
While the bars cool completely, whip up your frosting by beating butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt until fluffy. If you want that classic Christmas red or green, add a few drops of food coloring. Spread it evenly over the cooled bars and sprinkle on as many festive toppings as you like!
Top Tip
Over the years, I’ve learned a few little secrets that really help these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe shine. These tips keep the texture perfect and make the whole process less stressful.
- Softened ingredients: Make sure both your butter and cream cheese are fully softened for easy mixing and smooth batter.
- Don’t overmix: When combining your dry ingredients with wet, stir just until incorporated to avoid dense bars.
- Bake just right: Keep a close eye in the last few minutes of baking—the bars should look set but soft and not overly browned.
- Cooling matters: Let the bars cool fully before frosting so the frosting doesn’t melt or slide off.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I usually go for classic red and green sprinkle mixes or tiny edible pearls. Sometimes, I add crushed candy canes for a minty crunch that perfectly matches the sweetness of the cookie bars. It really amps up the holiday vibes!
Side Dishes
These bars are great on their own but pair wonderfully with a warm mug of spiced cider or a cup of peppermint hot chocolate. They also make an adorable addition to a holiday brunch alongside fruit salad or yogurt parfaits.
Creative Ways to Present
For gift-giving, I like to cut these bars into bite-sized squares and arrange them in festive boxes with tissue paper. Another favorite is stacking them on a pretty plate layered with parchment and greenery sprigs—simple but stunning for holiday parties.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The frosting stays nice and creamy, and the bars keep their softness — just remember to layer parchment paper between to prevent sticking.
Freezing
I’ve frozen these bars both frosted and unfrosted. For best results, freeze unfrosted bars wrapped tightly in foil and plastic wrap. When ready, thaw overnight, then frost just before serving for the freshest taste.
Reheating
If you want to warm up a bar, I pop it in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It’s just enough to soften it without melting the frosting completely. Perfect for that fresh-out-of-the-oven feel any time!
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Use a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend in place of all-purpose flour. The texture might be slightly different but still delicious and festive.
I recommend folding sprinkles gently into the batter rather than mixing aggressively. Avoid heavy mixing once the sprinkles are in, and use jimmies instead of nonpareils to keep colors vibrant.
If stored in an airtight container at room temperature, frosted bars stay fresh for about 3-4 days. Refrigeration can extend this but might firm up the frosting.
Definitely! The bars taste amazing unfrosted and are great for a simpler dessert option. You can always add frosting later or pair them with a dusting of powdered sugar.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe have become my go-to for holiday baking because they’re so effortless and instantly crowd-pleasing. I genuinely hope you’ll give them a try—you’ll find yourself reaching for the pan long after Christmas is over. They’re that kinda good.
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars featuring a soft, creamy cookie base topped with a sweet vanilla frosting and colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings and simple to prepare with classic ingredients.
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Bars
- ¾ cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 ½ cups flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup Christmas jimmies
Frosting
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 TBS heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3-5 drops food coloring (optional)
- 2 TBS assorted Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar for about 3 minutes until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Mix in the eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract until fully combined.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Incorporate Dry Ingredients and Sprinkles: Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms. Fold in the Christmas jimmies evenly throughout the batter.
- Press Batter into Pan: Transfer the dough to the prepared pan and spread it out evenly using your hands or a rubber spatula.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden. Remove and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Frosting: In a clean bowl, beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until the frosting is fluffy and creamy. Add food coloring if desired and continue mixing until fully blended.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the prepared frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Add Toppings and Serve: Sprinkle the top with assorted Christmas sprinkles or M&Ms if desired. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- For softer bars, avoid overbaking; remove from oven as soon as edges turn golden.
- If you want a whiter frosting, use imitation vanilla extract instead of pure vanilla.
- Storing bars in an airtight container will keep them fresh for up to 3 days.
- For added texture, substitute some Christmas jimmies with chopped nuts or holiday candies.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent frosting from melting.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
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