Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery bars with a festive touch from colorful sprinkles and a rich, creamy frosting. Easy to make in one pan, these bars combine the flavors of classic sugar cookies with a luscious cream cheese buttercream topping, perfect for holiday celebrations.
You’ll love these bars because they are tender yet sturdy enough to hold frosting, and the sprinkles add a cheerful crunch. The frosting is smooth and slightly tangy, balancing the sweetness of the cookie base. These bars are great for sharing and make delightful holiday treats.
Ingredients
For the Bars:
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ cup festive sprinkles
For the Frosting:
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
- 3 tablespoons cream cheese, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons milk
- Additional sprinkles for topping
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
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Beat softened butter and sugar together until fluffy.
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Add egg and vanilla, beating until combined.
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Gradually add flour and baking powder, mixing to form thick dough. Gently stir in sprinkles.
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Spread dough evenly into prepared pan it will be thick. Bake 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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Cool completely; lift bars out using parchment edges.
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For frosting, beat butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until smooth and creamy.
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Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars and sprinkle with extra festive sprinkles.
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Cut into squares to serve. Serve immediately or chill for firmer frosting.
Tips for Success
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Use room temperature butter for easy creaming.
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Gently incorporate flour to keep bars tender.
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Don’t overbake to avoid dryness.
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Cool bars fully before frosting for best texture.
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Chill if you prefer stiffer frosting.
Delicious Variations
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Add almond or citrus zest to dough for subtle flavor twists.
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Use colored sprinkles for different festive themes.
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Substitute cream cheese frosting with vanilla buttercream.
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Drizzle melted chocolate on top for extra indulgence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make these bars ahead?
Yes, they can be prepared a day ahead and kept refrigerated.
How long do the bars last?
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Is it possible to make gluten-free?
Use a gluten-free flour blend instead of all-purpose flour.
Can I use salted or unsalted butter?
Salted butter is standard, but adjust salt in dough if using unsalted.
Why is the dough thick?
The thick dough helps create dense, chewy bars that hold frosting well.
Print
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Soft, buttery sugar cookie bars decorated with festive sprinkles and topped with creamy cream cheese buttercream frosting. A perfect blend of classic sugar cookie flavor and tangy frosting, ideal for holiday parties and sharing.
Ingredients
For the Bars
1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking powder
¼ cup festive sprinkles
For the Frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1 stick (½ cup) salted butter, softened
3 tbsp cream cheese, softened
1 tsp vanilla extract
2 tbsp milk
Additional festive sprinkles for topping
Instructions
Preheat oven: To 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9‑inch baking pan with parchment paper.
Mix bars: Beat butter and sugar until fluffy. Add egg and vanilla, mixing well. Gradually add flour and baking powder until dough forms. Fold in sprinkles gently.
Bake: Spread dough evenly in pan; it will be thick. Bake 20 minutes or until edges are golden. Cool completely.
Frost bars: Beat butter, powdered sugar, cream cheese, vanilla, and milk until creamy. Spread over cooled bars and top with more sprinkles.
Serve: Slice into squares. Serve immediately or chill to set frosting firmer.
Notes
Use room-temperature butter for easy mixing and good texture.
Mix flour lightly to keep bars tender and chewy.
Avoid overbaking to prevent dryness.
Cool bars completely before frosting for best finish.
Chill frosting for stiffer texture if desired.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/16 bar
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 20
- Sodium: 105
- Fat: 9
- Saturated Fat: 5
- Unsaturated Fat: 4
- Carbohydrates: 26
- Protein: 2
- Cholesterol: 30
Keywords: christmas sugar cookie bars, holiday sprinkle bars, cream cheese frosted bars, easy sugar cookie recipe, festive dessert bars
