Ever wondered how to capture the essence of Christmas baking without spending hours decorating individual cookies? These festive sugar cookie bars are the perfect answer! Soft, chewy, and topped with luscious buttercream frosting, these bars bring all the joy of traditional sugar cookies with a fraction of the effort. Whether you’re hosting a holiday gathering or looking for a delightful treat to share with loved ones, these frosted cookie bars, Christmas bars, holiday baking favorites will quickly become your go-to recipe during the festive season.
Ingredients
For the Cookie Base:
- 2½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened (1½ sticks)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg plus 1 egg yolk, at room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract (optional, but adds wonderful flavor)
For the Frosting:
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- Red and green food coloring (gel food coloring works best)
- Christmas sprinkles or sanding sugar
Substitutions:
- Dairy-free? Use plant-based butter and coconut cream instead of heavy cream.
- Gluten-free option: Substitute all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour.
- Egg-free version: Replace eggs with ¼ cup of unsweetened applesauce or a flax egg.
Timing
Prep time: 15 minutes
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Cooling and frosting: 1 hour
Total time: Approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
These sugar cookie bars save you nearly an hour compared to traditional cut-out sugar cookies, which require rolling, cutting, decorating individual cookies, and multiple batches in the oven!
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare Your Baking Pan
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Pro tip: Crease the parchment paper at the corners to help it fit snugly against the pan walls.
Step 2: Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt until well combined. This ensures your sugar cookie bars have a consistent texture throughout.
Pro tip: Sift the flour mixture to remove any lumps for the smoothest possible cookie dough.
Step 3: Cream Butter and Sugar
In a large bowl using an electric mixer, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes until light and fluffy. This incorporates air into the mixture, giving your bars that perfect texture.
Pro tip: Don’t rush this step—properly creamed butter and sugar creates the foundation for perfectly textured bars.
Step 4: Add Wet Ingredients
Add the egg, egg yolk, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using) to the butter-sugar mixture. Beat on medium speed until fully combined, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed.
Pro tip: Room temperature eggs incorporate much better than cold eggs.
Step 5: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients
Gradually add the dry ingredient mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the bars tough.
Pro tip: Stop mixing as soon as the last streak of flour disappears for the most tender results.
Step 6: Bake the Bars
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Use the back of a measuring cup or your hands lightly greased with cooking spray to smooth the top.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but still soft. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out with a few moist crumbs, but no wet batter.
Pro tip: Slightly underbaking these bars gives them that perfect soft-baked texture that makes them irresistible.
Step 7: Cool Completely
Allow the sugar cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting. This takes about 1 hour.
Step 8: Prepare the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, alternating with heavy cream. Add vanilla extract and salt, then beat on medium-high speed for 3 minutes until light and fluffy.
Divide the frosting if you want multiple colors, and tint with food coloring as desired.
Pro tip: For vibrant colors, use gel food coloring instead of liquid drops.
Step 9: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars. Add Christmas sprinkles immediately after frosting so they adhere properly.
Pro tip: For a professional look, use an offset spatula to create swirls or patterns in your frosting.
Nutritional Information
Per serving (based on 24 bars):
- Calories: 215
- Protein: 2g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Fiber: <1g
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 75mg
Healthier Alternatives for the Recipe
Looking for ways to make these sugar cookie bars a bit healthier? Try these modifications:
- Reduce sugar: Cut the sugar in the cookie base to ¾ cup without significantly affecting texture
- Whole grain option: Replace half the all-purpose flour with white whole wheat flour
- Lower-fat frosting: Use Neufchâtel cheese (⅓ less fat than cream cheese) in place of some of the butter
- Natural coloring: Use beetroot powder for red and matcha powder for green instead of artificial food colors
- Portion control: Cut into smaller, bite-sized pieces for less indulgent servings
Serving Suggestions
- Serve alongside a mug of hot chocolate topped with candy cane pieces
- Create a holiday dessert board with these bars as the centerpiece, accompanied by fresh berries and mint sprigs
- Pair with vanilla bean ice cream for an elevated dessert
- Serve on a festive platter with a dusting of edible gold or silver dust for extra holiday sparkle
- Package in decorative tins as homemade gifts with a ribbon and gift tag
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overbaking: This will result in dry, crumbly bars. Remove from oven when edges are just turning golden.
- Frosting too soon: Applying frosting to warm bars will cause it to melt. Ensure bars are completely cool.
- Uneven dough: Take time to spread the dough evenly for consistent baking.
- Too much food coloring: Add color gradually—you can always add more, but can’t take it away.
- Rushing the butter-sugar creaming: This crucial step creates the perfect texture, so give it the full 2-3 minutes.
Storing Tips for the Recipe
Counter storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigeration: Refrigerate in a sealed container for up to 1 week. Allow to come to room temperature before serving for best flavor and texture.
Freezing: These sugar cookie bars freeze beautifully! Cut into portions, place in an airtight container with parchment between layers, and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.
Meal prep tip: Make the dough ahead and refrigerate for up to 2 days before baking, or freeze the unfrosted bars for quick holiday treats.
Conclusion
These Frosted Christmas sugar cookie bars are the perfect balance of convenience and festive indulgence. They deliver all the beloved flavors of traditional Christmas sugar cookies but in an easy-to-make, crowd-pleasing form. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just starting your holiday baking journey, these bars are sure to bring joy to your Christmas celebrations.
What’s your favorite way to decorate these festive treats? Share your creations with us in the comments below, or tag us in your social media posts. We’d love to see your holiday baking masterpieces!
FAQs
Can I make these sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can make the bars up to 3 days in advance and store them in an airtight container. For longer storage, freeze the unfrosted bars for up to 3 months.
Why did my sugar cookie bars turn out dry?
The most common reason is overbaking. Remember that they continue cooking slightly as they cool. Remove them from the oven when the edges are just turning golden and the center still looks slightly underdone.
Can I use store-bought frosting instead?
Yes, you can use store-bought frosting to save time. However, homemade frosting typically tastes better and allows for more customization with flavors and colors.
How do I get clean cuts when slicing the bars?
For the cleanest cuts, refrigerate the frosted bars for about 30 minutes, then use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wiped clean between cuts.
Can I make these without Christmas colors for other occasions?
Definitely! These versatile sugar cookie bars can be adapted for any holiday or occasion—simply change the frosting colors and sprinkles to suit your celebration.
Name: Yumi Hwag
Byline: Founder & Recipe Developer, Yumimeals
Bio : Yumi tests weeknight-friendly air fryer, slow cooker, and BBQ recipes in a small home kitchen. She focuses on simple steps, real-family testing, and clear food-safety guidance. Contact: [email protected]