There’s just something magical about biting into these soft, buttery sugar cookie bars that instantly reminds me of the holiday spirit. The creamy frosting with festive sprinkles on top makes this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe an irresistible treat that’s perfect for sharing — or keeping all to yourself.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of sugar cookies over the years, but these bars quickly became my go-to holiday dessert. They’re basically sugar cookies in bar form—super easy to slice and serve—and the cream cheese in the dough adds a subtle tang that makes them stand out from the typical sugar cookie.
- Simple to Make: No need to roll out dough or use cookie cutters—just mix and press into a pan.
- Soft & Chewy Texture: Thanks to cream cheese and butter, these bars stay soft even days later.
- Festive & Fun: Add colorful Christmas sprinkles for that joyful holiday look and feel.
- Perfect for Gifting: Slice into squares and pop them in a pretty tin—everyone will love them.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient in this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe plays a role in creating the perfect balance of flavor and texture. From the creamy richness of cream cheese to the sprinkle of salt that amplifies sweetness, here’s a quick rundown of what you need and why.
- Unsalted butter: Using softened butter helps to cream easily with sugar and contributes to a tender texture.
- Granulated sugar: The classic sweetener, beaten with butter to create airy dough.
- Eggs: Bind everything together and add richness.
- Cream cheese: Adds moisture and a subtle tang that keeps bars soft.
- Vanilla extract: Enhances sweetness and flavor with warm notes.
- Flour: Provides structure; spoon and level it for accuracy to avoid dry bars.
- Baking powder: Leavens the dough for a tender crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and highlights flavors.
- Christmas jimmies (sprinkles): Bring color, texture, and holiday cheer right into the batter.
- Powdered sugar: Essential for smooth and creamy frosting.
- Heavy cream: Adds richness and helps Frosting spread easily.
- Food coloring (optional): Make your frosting pop with festive colors.
- Assorted Christmas sprinkles: Top off with extra sparkle and fun.
Make It Your Way
One thing I love about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to make it your own. Whether you're going classic or adding a twist, a few simple swaps or additions can make these bars feel uniquely yours.
- Variation: I often swap out half the Christmas sprinkles for mini chocolate chips to add a little melty surprise—a total mood booster when friends stop by unexpectedly.
- Dietary Options: For a gluten-free version, using a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend works beautifully—just make sure to check the baking powder you use is gluten-free too.
- Flavor Twists: Adding a bit of almond extract along with vanilla gives a lovely nutty dimension I’ve come to adore.
- Frosting Fun: Instead of traditional vanilla, try spicing up the frosting with a pinch of cinnamon or peppermint extract for holiday flair.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Start by softening your butter—don’t rush this. I like to leave it out for about an hour beforehand or soften quickly in the microwave with short bursts, being careful not to melt it. Beat the butter and sugar together for about 3 minutes; it should look pale and fluffy. This airiness is what gives your bars a tender texture, so don’t skimp on this step!
Step 2: Mix in Eggs, Cream Cheese, and Vanilla
Add your eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Then toss in the softened cream cheese and vanilla extract. The cream cheese not only adds moisture but also a subtle tang that balances all the sweetness perfectly. Make sure it’s fully incorporated to avoid lumps in the batter.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Sprinkles
Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Slowly add the dry mixture into your wet ingredients, stirring until just combined—you don’t want to over-mix or the bars will be tough. Gently fold in your Christmas sprinkles last, so they don’t get crushed or bleed color into the batter.
Step 4: Spread & Bake
Press your dough evenly into a parchment-lined 9x13 pan. I like to use my hands for this because it helps spread the dough gently without overworking it. Bake at 375°F for 15-17 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden. Keep an eye on it toward the end to avoid over-baking—these bars should be soft and just set in the middle.
Step 5: Whip Up the Frosting & Decorate
While the bars cool completely (patience is key here—frosting will get messy otherwise), whip together softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and a pinch of salt until fluffy. If you want that festive touch, add a few drops of food coloring and mix well. Spread the frosting evenly and sprinkle generously with your favorite Christmas toppings!
Top Tip
Through making these bars every holiday season, I’ve learned a few tricks that take this recipe from good to unforgettable. These are the kind of tips that help you avoid pitfalls and get the perfect texture every time.
- Don’t Overmix the Dough: Mix just until combined to keep the bars soft and tender; overworking develops gluten and causes a tougher bite.
- Chill the Dough If Needed: If your kitchen is warm and dough feels too soft, a quick 15-minute chill helps it firm up and spreads less during baking.
- Use Fresh Baking Powder: I learned the hard way that old baking powder means flat, dense bars. Double-check expiration yearly.
- Cool Completely Before Frosting: Frost while warm and you’ll end up with a mess; letting bars cool fully gives you that picture-perfect finish.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
For me, simple and festive is the way to go. I use bright red and green Christmas jimmies and sometimes toss on mini M&Ms or edible glitter for extra sparkle. Not only do they look beautiful, but the little pops of color make everyone smile before the first bite.
Side Dishes
These bars are a star on their own, but I love pairing them with a warm cup of spiced hot chocolate or mulled cider for cozy holiday gatherings. They also make a sweet finish after savory appetizers or plenty of rich holiday dishes.
Creative Ways to Present
One year, I arranged these bars on a large wooden board with pine sprigs and cinnamon sticks for a rustic Christmas party centerpiece. You can also stack them in a decorative tin lined with wax paper and tie with a ribbon for gift-giving—it’s instant holiday cheer in a box!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature—they stay perfectly soft for up to 4 days. If your kitchen runs really warm, the fridge works too, but just know the frosting might firm up a bit. Let them sit at room temp a few minutes before enjoying again.
Freezing
Yes! I’ve frozen frosted bars successfully by wrapping them tightly in plastic wrap and then in foil. Freeze for up to three months. When ready, thaw in the fridge overnight, and then bring to room temperature before serving for best texture.
Reheating
If you want that just-baked warmth, pop a bar in the microwave for about 10 seconds—not longer or frosting can melt too much. This warms the cookie base just right while keeping the frosting deliciously creamy.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! Substitute the all-purpose flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free flour blend. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free too, then follow the recipe as usual to get soft, festive bars.
Frost the bars only once they are completely cool. You can chill the bars briefly if your kitchen is warm. Also, using imitation vanilla extract can help keep frosting whiter and a bit more stable, but full refrigeration after frosting will slow melting best.
Definitely! Cream cheese frosting or even a simple glaze made from powdered sugar and milk can be delicious alternatives. Just keep in mind the frosting’s consistency should be spreadable.
No worries! You can use any colorful sprinkles you have or even crushed candy canes for a peppermint twist. Or leave them plain—the bars are still delicious without the festive bits.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe has become a holiday staple that I genuinely look forward to baking year after year. It’s a hands-on way to fill the kitchen with warmth and festive joy, whether you’re making memories with family or gifting neighbors some homemade love. Trust me, once you try these bars, you’ll keep coming back to them every season.
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 27 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delight in these festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars featuring a soft, buttery base topped with creamy frosting and colorful sprinkles—perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
For the 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
For The Frosting:
- ½ cup butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3-5 drops food coloring (optional)
- 2 tablespoon assorted Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal of the bars.
- 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 and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dry and Wet Ingredients: Slowly incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet mixture, stirring until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold the Christmas jimmies into the dough to distribute evenly.
- Press Dough into Pan: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared 9x13 pan using your hands or a rubber spatula.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until the edges just start to turn golden.
- Cool: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, salt, and optional food coloring until the frosting is fluffy and creamy.
- Frost Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Decorate: Top the frosted bars with assorted Christmas sprinkles or Christmas M&Ms as desired.
- Serve: Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Use parchment paper for easy removal and cleaner edges.
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for smooth mixing.
- Adjust heavy cream in frosting to achieve desired consistency.
- Food coloring in frosting is optional but adds festive color.
- Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- For a gluten-free option, substitute flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 90 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 35 mg
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