There’s something about the sweet, buttery aroma that fills your kitchen when you bake these bars that just screams holiday joy. This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe takes all the best parts of sugar cookies and turns them into an easy-to-cut, festively decorated treat perfect for sharing at any holiday gathering.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’m genuinely excited to share this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe because it combines the classic taste of a sugar cookie with the ease of a bar cookie—no rolling or cutting out shapes, yet no less festive or delicious.
- Easy to make: Mixing up this batter is straightforward, and they bake quickly in a single pan.
- Perfect texture: These bars are soft and chewy with just a hint of cream cheese to keep them moist.
- Customizable frosting: You can easily tint the frosting and decorate to match your holiday theme.
- Great for gifting: Cut into squares and pop them into festive tins for a homemade gift everyone will appreciate.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Each ingredient in this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe plays a role in delivering that perfect buttery, tender bite while letting those bright sprinkles shine. Here’s a little insight into why these ingredients come together so well.
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted lets you control the saltiness precisely, and it brings that rich, creamy flavor that’s key.
- Granulated Sugar: Sweetens and helps create that classic sugar cookie crunch on the edges.
- Eggs: Act as a binder and add richness for a soft texture.
- Cream Cheese: A secret twist that lends moisture and a slight tang, keeping the bars tender and delicious.
- Vanilla Extract: Because vanilla just makes everything taste warm and festive.
- All-Purpose Flour: The base that holds the dough together without making it tough.
- Baking Powder: Gently lifts the bars for a light crumb.
- Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances flavor.
- Christmas Jimmies (Sprinkles): Adds festive color and a delightful little crunch that instantly puts you in the holiday mood.
- Powdered Sugar (for Frosting): Creates a smooth, spreadable frosting that sets nicely.
- Heavy Cream: Lightens the frosting for that perfect fluffy texture.
- Food Coloring (Optional): For those who love extra cheer and color in their holiday treats.
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite parts about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to personalize. Whether you want to skip the cream cheese for a classic flavor or get creative with the frosting toppings, there’s room to make this recipe your own.
- Flavor Variations: Sometimes, I swap out the vanilla extract with almond extract for a lovely nutty twist. It’s subtle but adds a nice holiday surprise.
- Dietary Tweaks: If you’re avoiding dairy, you can try a vegan butter and cream cheese alternative—though texture might shift a bit.
- Extra Festive: I often add crushed candy canes on top of the frosting for an extra peppermint punch and crunch.
- Colorful Fun: Mix different colored food colorings into the frosting for a whimsical layered look before spreading it on.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep and Cream the Base
First things first, preheat your oven to 375°F and line a 9x13 pan with parchment paper—this makes cleanup a dream, trust me. Then, in a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar. I like to beat it for about 3 minutes until it’s light and fluffy; this is what gives the bars that tender crumb and subtle rise.
Step 2: Add the Wet Ingredients
Next, it’s time to mix in the eggs, cream cheese, and vanilla extract. Make sure your cream cheese is softened to avoid lumps—no one wants surprises in their batter! Mix until everything’s just combined; over-mixing here can make the texture dense.
Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Sprinkles
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Slowly add this to your wet mixture, stirring gently until the dough comes together. Now for my favorite part—fold in those Christmas jimmies. The colors just brighten up the batter and make this recipe feel instantly festive.
Step 4: Bake to Perfection
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan. I find using lightly greased hands or a spatula works best here. Pop it into the oven for 15 to 17 minutes—just until the edges start to turn golden. Don’t overbake, or you risk losing that soft, chewy center that everyone loves. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
Step 5: Whip Up the Frosting and Decorate
While the bars cool, mix your frosting ingredients—softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt—until fluffy and creamy. If you want a bit of color, add food coloring now. Once the bars are cool, spread your frosting evenly, then sprinkle on more festive jimmies or even Christmas M&Ms for that perfect finishing touch.
Top Tip
From my experience, the magic in this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is in the balance between moist, tender crumb and a structurally sound bar that holds together nicely without crumbling.
- Softened Butter & Cream Cheese: I always make sure these are at room temp to mix in smoothly and avoid lumps that can mess with the texture.
- Don’t Overbake: Keep a close eye on the bars around the 15-minute mark. Once the edges just start to brown, it’s time to pull them out.
- Cooling Is Key: Frosting warm bars melts into a mess, so chilling until fully cooled keeps your decoration neat and pretty.
- Add Sprinkles Last: Fold sprinkles gently to avoid color bleeding; add festive toppings like M&Ms on the frosting surface rather than mixing them into the batter.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep the garnish simple with extra Christmas jimmies or M&Ms right on top of the frosting, but crushed candy canes or tiny edible glitter can really elevate the look for parties. Plus, they add a playful crunch and festive sparkle that everyone loves.
Side Dishes
This recipe stands well on its own as a dessert, but if you’re serving it at a holiday brunch, pairing it with a rich hot chocolate or a cinnamon spiced coffee really rounds out those cozy flavors beautifully.
Creative Ways to Present
I've found these bars look extra festive stacked on a tiered dessert stand, especially surrounded by holiday greenery or mini ornaments. You can also wrap individual bars in translucent holiday cello bags tied with a ribbon—perfect for quick gifting or party favors!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Once frosted, I store these bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If the kitchen gets warm, I move them to the fridge to keep the frosting from becoming too soft.
Freezing
For freezing, I recommend freezing unfrosted bars first. Once cooled, wrap tightly in plastic wrap and then foil. When ready, thaw overnight and frost just before serving—this keeps everything fresh and vibrant.
Reheating
These bars are best enjoyed at room temperature, so I gently thaw frozen bars laid out on the counter. I avoid microwaving frosting-topped bars to prevent melting; if you need a warm treat, warming unfrosted bars briefly before frosting works wonders.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Butter is key for the rich flavor and texture in this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe. Margarine or shortening can change both, making the bars less tender and flavorful. If needed, use real butter for best results.
Cream cheese adds moisture and a slight tang that keeps these sugar cookie bars soft and tender, preventing them from drying out or becoming too dense.
Yes! Substitute a 1-to-1 gluten-free flour blend that includes xanthan gum. Keep baking time the same but watch the texture closely, as gluten-free flours can affect chewiness.
Fold the sprinkles in gently into the dough to avoid breaking them up, which causes color bleeding. Also, avoid overmixing once sprinkles are added. Using high-quality jimmies designed for baking helps, too.
Final Thoughts
Honestly, this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is one of those few holiday treats that everyone ends up asking for again and again in my family. The ease of making bars instead of individual cookies saves so much time, and the cream cheese twist keeps them irresistibly moist. I hope you enjoy making and sharing these as much as I do—it’s like a little festive hug in every bite. Go ahead and treat yourself (and your loved ones) this season!
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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 festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars featuring a soft, buttery base loaded with colorful holiday sprinkles and topped with creamy vanilla frosting and more sprinkles, perfect for holiday parties and gift-giving.
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 TBS heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ⅛ teaspoon salt
- 3-5 drops food coloring (optional)
- 2 TBS assorted Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9x13-inch baking 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: Beat in the eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, mix the flour, baking powder, and salt; then gradually add this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, stirring to form a soft dough.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies or sprinkles to evenly distribute them throughout the dough.
- Press Dough into Pan: Transfer the dough into the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly using your hands or a rubber spatula.
- Bake Cookie Bars: Bake the bars for 17 minutes or until the edges begin to turn a light golden color. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Frosting: Cream together the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until fluffy and creamy; add food coloring if desired to enhance the festive look.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and sprinkle the top with assorted Christmas sprinkles or holiday-themed candies.
- Serve: Cut into squares and serve as a festive holiday treat.
Notes
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother batter.
- Press the dough evenly in the pan to ensure uniform baking and consistent thickness.
- For a whiter frosting, use imitation vanilla extract instead of pure vanilla.
- If you want a thinner or thicker frosting, adjust the amount of heavy cream accordingly.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- Try adding different types of holiday sprinkles or mix-ins such as mini M&Ms for variation.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 18 g
- Sodium: 80 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 26 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
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