When there is no time to roll and cut dozens of cookies, these bars do the job. A soft sugar cookie dough is pressed into a 9×13 pan, baked just until set, and covered with a thick layer of vanilla buttercream and Christmas sprinkles. They cut into neat squares and taste like the best part of a frosted sugar cookie.
Why You’ll Love It
- No rolling, no cutting.
- One pan makes 24.
- Thick buttercream and sprinkles.
What You Need
- 1 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened, for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar (for frosting)
- 2 tbsp milk (for frosting)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- red and green sprinkles
How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch pan with parchment.
- Beat 1 cup butter and the granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and almond extract.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are light golden and the center is set. Cool completely.
- Beat 3/4 cup butter with the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until fluffy. Tint pink or green if you like.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, add sprinkles and cut into squares.
Tips
- Do not overbake; the bars should stay pale and soft.
- Cool fully before frosting or it melts.
- Chill 20 minutes before cutting for clean edges.
Serving and Storing
Store covered at room temperature 3 days or in the fridge 1 week.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I freeze them?
Yes, freeze unfrosted bars up to 2 months and frost after thawing.
Can I halve the recipe?
Yes, bake in an 8×8 pan for 16 to 18 minutes.
Can I use cream cheese frosting?
Yes, it is delicious here.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft sugar cookie bars baked in one pan and topped with fluffy buttercream and sprinkles. All the fun of cut-out cookies, none of the rolling.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract optional
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter softened, for frosting
- 3 cups powdered sugar for frosting
- 2 tbsp milk for frosting
- 1 tsp vanilla extract for frosting
- red and green sprinkles
Instructions
- Heat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch pan with parchment.
- Beat 1 cup butter and the granulated sugar until fluffy. Beat in the eggs, vanilla and almond extract.
- Stir in the flour, baking powder and salt until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the pan. Bake 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are light golden and the center is set. Cool completely.
- Beat 3/4 cup butter with the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla until fluffy. Tint pink or green if you like.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, add sprinkles and cut into squares.
