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
Scale
For the Sugar Cookie Bars:
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies
For the Frosting:
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 TBS heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp 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
