Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the best sugar cookie bar recipe! The cookies have a chewy texture, layered with a white frosting, and topped with festive sprinkles. They are perfect for this time of year.
Check out my Grinch Fudge and my Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats for more sweet Christmas treats!
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These holiday sugar cookie bars taste just like a classic sugar cookie but in bar form. The best part is the cookie dough requires no chilling.
These chewy sugar cookie bars are one of the best Christmas desserts. Merry Christmas!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These easy sugar cookie bars are perfect for the holiday season! They're so much easier than cut-out sugar cookies!
Frosted with a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting, these delicious bars make an absolutely adorably festive Christmas cookie bar treat!
Ingredients You Need
Sugar Cookie Bars:
- Unsalted butter: Adds richness and flavor. Make sure it's at room temperature!
- Cream cheese: Provides a creamy texture and tangy flavor.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the bars and contributes to their texture.
- Vanilla extract: Infuses a warm and aromatic vanilla flavor.
- Large eggs: Binds the ingredients together.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the bars.
- Cornstarch: Adds tenderness and a softer texture.
- Baking powder: Contributes to a light and airy texture.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor profile by balancing sweetness.
Frosting:
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter, the base for the frosting, adding creaminess and richness.
- Cream cheese: Provides a tangy and smooth consistency.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Vanilla extract: Adds a hint of vanilla flavor to the frosting.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
- Sprinkles: Adds a festive and decorative touch to the top of the cookie bars. Green sprinkles or any holiday or winter sprinkles work great.
Step By Step Photos
Mix butter, cream cheese and sugar.
Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs.
Add in the flour mixture.
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan.
Make the frosting.
Frost the cooled cookie bars. Decorate.
How To Make Christmas Cookie Bars From Scratch
Step 1. Preheat and prep: Preheat your oven to 350 °F and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2. Prepare the batter: In a large mixing bowl, cream together unsalted butter, cream cheese, and granulated sugar with an electric mixer until fluffy.
Step 3. Dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.
Step 4. Combine wet and dry: Carefully mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture, adding about half at a time.
Step 5. Shape and bake: Spoon the sugar cookie dough into the prepared pan and press it evenly with lightly greased hands to form the sugar cookie base. Bake for 22-25 minutes until the top is set and golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.
Step 6. Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
Step 7. Frosting base: In a mixing bowl, combine unsalted butter and cream cheese.
Step 8. Flavor and sweetness: Add salt and vanilla extract. Gradually mix in powdered sugar (about half cup at a time) until reaching the desired sweetness and thickness.
Step 9. Frost and decorate: Frost the cooled cookie bars with the prepared frosting. Sprinkle holiday sprinkles over the top for a festive touch.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Tips
- Spray a little oil on your fingers to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands when you press the dough into the baking dish.
- Be sure to soften the cream cheese, butter and eggs to room temperature.
- Try adding lemon extract or almond extract to the cookie dough or the frosting.
Frequently Asked Questions About Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
Yes, you can freeze the bars. Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
More Cookie and Bar Recipes You Might Enjoy
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For Sugar Cookie Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2-3 cups powdered sugar
- Sprinkles
Instructions
For Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs.
- In a separate mixing bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
- Carefully mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture about half at a time.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and with lightly greased hands press it into the pan to form an even layer.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the top is set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the bars completely, leaving them in the pan as they cool.
For Frosting
- Mix the butter and cream cheese together.
- Add in the salt and vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low speed mix in the powdered sugar about half cup at a time, until the desired sweetness and thickness is reached.
- Frost the cooled cookie bars, then sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- Spray a little oil on your fingers to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands when you press the dough into the baking dish.
- Be sure to soften the cream cheese, butter and eggs to room temperature.
- Try adding lemon extract or almond extract to the cookie dough or the frosting.
- Storing: Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days.
- Freezing: Place them in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. They can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
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