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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are made with classic ingredients and frosted with a delicious cream cheese frosting. Festive, fun, simple to make and perfect for gift giving. This easy sugar cookie recipe is the perfect way to kick off the holiday season!
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Check out my Grinch Fudge and my Reindeer Rice Krispie Treats for more sweet Christmas treats!
These Christmas sugar cookie bars are delicious and the decorations are easy enough for kids to help. The cookie dough requires no chilling, are easy to make, and stay wonderfully soft for days. This recipe is the perfect fit to your baking needs this holiday season.
These Christmas cookies will sweeten your holidays!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- They are soft, thick, chewy and perfect for Christmas.
- Perfect for Christmas Eve on the cookie plate!
- Easy and quick to make, these sugar cookie bars are a great festive treat for the whole family.
- They are perfect for your Christmas cookie exchange!
- Frosted with a delicious homemade cream cheese frosting.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Sugar Cookie Bars
- Unsalted Butter: I always use unsalted butter. Make sure it's at room temperature!
- Cream Cheese: Makes the bars extra soft.
- Granulated Sugar: Every great dessert or treat has sugar in the recipe.
- Vanilla Extract: Use pure vanilla for the best flavoring.
- Large Eggs: Be sure to use a room temperature eggs.
- All-Purpose Flour: All-purpose flour for the best results.
- Cornstarch: Makes them chewier.
- Baking Powder: Helps with the doubling of your ingredients.
- Salt: Brings out all the flavors in your bars.
Frosting
- Unsalted Butter: Softened to room temperature.
- Cream Cheese: Cream cheese makes the frosting a little less sweet.
- Salt: Balances the sugar in the frosting.
- Vanilla Extract: For flavor.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar.
- Sprinkles: Any kind you want!
Step-By-Step Instructions
Sugar Cookie Bars
Step 1:
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
Step 2:
In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
Step 3:
Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs.
Step 4:
In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
Step 5:
Carefully mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture, about half at a time.
Step 6:
Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and with lightly greased hands press it into the pan to form an even layer.
Step 7:
Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the top is set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
Step 8:
Cool the bars completely, leaving them in the pan as they cool.
Frosting
Step 1:
Mix the butter and cream cheese together.
Step 2:
Add in the salt and vanilla extract.
Step 3:
On low speed, mix in the powdered sugar, about half cup at a time until the desired sweetness and thickness is reached.
Step 4:
Frost the cooled cookie bars, then sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
NOTE: You can print the FULL recipe with all ingredients & detailed instructions below!
Expert Tips
- Use real butter, not margarine softened to room temperature.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature or else the frosting will come out lumpy.
- Don't over-bake! Under baking is the key to the best soft and chewy bars!
- Be sure to let them cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes so they will be easier to cut. The bars should be fully cooled before frosting, otherwise the frosting will melt.
- Make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper! It makes it much easier to get the cookie bars out of the pan to cut.
- You can make these bars anytime throughout the year. Just pick a color that matches the occasion or holiday.
- Spray a little oil on your fingers to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands when you press the dough into the baking dish.
Variations
- Use your favorite toppings! Using red, white and green M&Ms are an easy way to turn these cookies into a festive treat. Topping with white chocolate chips, chopped toffee bits, butterscotch chips are also great!
- Mix some sprinkles into the batter before cooking for an extra festive look.
- Try adding lemon extract or almond extract to the cookie dough or the frosting.
- Drizzle with melted white chocolate.
- Sprinkle with chopped nuts or shredded coconut.
Storing & Freezing
Storing: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay moist for up to 3 days.
Freezing: Wrap the bars in foil and place them in a freezer zip top bag or container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you're ready to eat them again. You can also heat the bars up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Recipe FAQ's
Cookie bars are just like a cookie, but baked in a pan. They require simple prep, are easy bake, and you are able to slice and serve fast.
Insert a toothpick in the center. If it comes out free of cookie batter it's done.
Any sprinkles you have on hand is perfect!
No, they can be left out at room temperature. Just be sure to keep them in an airtight container to keep them from getting too hard.
Yes! Half all the ingredients and make the bars in an 8×8 or 9×9 inch pan. Bake for the same amount of time.
More Christmas Recipes You'll Love
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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
For Sugar Cookie Bars
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 4 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs room temperature
- 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
For Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter room temperature
- 2 ounces cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 or 3 cups powdered sugar
- Sprinkles
Instructions
For Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a large mixing bowl, mix together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
- Mix in the vanilla extract and eggs.
- In a separate mixing bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
- Carefully mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture about half at a time.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and with lightly greased hands press it into the pan to form an even layer.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, or until the top is set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the bars completely, leaving them in the pan as they cool.
For Frosting
- Mix the butter and cream cheese together.
- Add in the salt and vanilla extract.
- With the mixer on low speed mix in the powdered sugar about half cup at a time, until the desired sweetness and thickness is reached.
- Frost the cooled cookie bars, then sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
- Use real butter, not margarine softened to room temperature.
- Soften the cream cheese to room temperature or else the frosting will come out lumpy.
- Don’t over-bake! Under baking is the key to the best soft and chewy bars!
- Be sure to let them cool in the pan for 20-30 minutes so they will be easier to cut.
- The bars should be fully cooled before frosting, otherwise the frosting will melt.
- Make sure to line your baking pan with parchment paper! It makes it much easier to get the cookie bars out of the pan to cut.
- Spray a little oil on your fingers to prevent the dough from sticking to your hands when you press the dough into the baking dish.
- Storing: Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature. They will stay moist for up to 3 days.
- Freezing: Wrap the bars in foil and place them in a freezer zip top bag or container and freeze for 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature when you’re ready to eat them again. You can also heat the bars up in the microwave for a few seconds.
Nutrition
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered estimates. Actual nutritional content will vary with brands used, measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Enjoy!
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