Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

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If there’s one dessert I look forward to baking every holiday season, it’s these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. They’re buttery, soft, and frosted with a generous layer of creamy vanilla frosting — all dressed up in red, green, and white sprinkles for that perfect festive touch. The best part? No rolling or cutting dough. Just press into a pan, bake, frost, and slice!

These bars bring back so many warm memories of cozy evenings, Christmas music in the background, and little hands sneaking sprinkles when they thought I wasn’t looking. They’re a hit at cookie exchanges, classroom parties, and honestly, anytime you want to bring a little holiday joy in dessert form. I love how easy they are to whip up, and how pretty they look on a cookie tray.

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Why You’ll Love This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

These bars are soft and chewy, just like your favorite classic sugar cookie, but without the fuss. You get all the nostalgic flavor of vanilla and butter in one thick, tender square. The frosting is rich and smooth, adding that creamy finish you didn’t know sugar cookies were missing. Plus, they slice perfectly for sharing, stacking, and gifting.

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What Kind of Frosting Works Best?

For these sugar cookie bars, I swear by a classic vanilla buttercream. It’s simple, spreads like a dream, and complements the soft cookie base perfectly. You can tint it with food coloring if you’re feeling festive, or keep it white and let the sprinkles shine. Cream cheese frosting is also a delicious twist if you like a bit of tang.

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Options for Substitutions

• Gluten-Free: Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend — these bars adapt well!
• Dairy-Free: Swap in plant-based butter and a dairy-free milk for the frosting.
• Frosting Flavors: Try almond or peppermint extract instead of vanilla for a holiday kick.
• Toppings: Not into sprinkles? Crushed candy canes or mini chocolate chips work beautifully.

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Ingredients for this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

• Unsalted Butter: This gives the bars their rich, buttery base and helps achieve that tender texture.
• Granulated Sugar: Essential for sweetness and that perfect cookie crumb.
• Eggs: Bind everything together and add moisture and richness.
• Vanilla Extract: Brings that classic sugar cookie flavor to life.
• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the structure of the bars.
• Baking Powder: Adds just a touch of lift, keeping the bars soft but not cakey.
• Salt: Balances out the sweetness and enhances flavor.

For the Frosting:

• Unsalted Butter: The creamy base for a smooth frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting.
• Vanilla Extract: Keeps the frosting flavorful and warm.
• Heavy Cream or Milk: Adjusts the consistency of the frosting.
• Sprinkles: The festive finishing touch.

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Step 1: Prep Your Pan and Oven

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. Leave a little overhang for easy lifting after baking.

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Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2-3 minutes. This creates a creamy base and incorporates air for the perfect texture.

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Step 3: Add Eggs and Vanilla

Beat in the eggs one at a time, making sure each is fully incorporated before adding the next. Then mix in the vanilla extract for that signature sugar cookie flavor.

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Step 4: Mix Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Don’t overmix!

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Step 5: Press Into the Pan

Transfer the dough into your prepared pan and press it evenly into the corners using clean hands or an offset spatula. Try to make the surface as smooth and level as possible.

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Step 6: Bake

Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the top is just set and edges are lightly golden. Be careful not to overbake — these bars are best soft and tender.

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Step 7: Cool Completely

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting. This ensures the frosting won’t melt and keeps the structure firm for cutting.

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Step 8: Make the Frosting

Beat the softened butter until creamy, then slowly add in powdered sugar. Add vanilla extract and heavy cream or milk, one tablespoon at a time, until your desired consistency is reached. The frosting should be spreadable but thick.

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Step 9: Frost and Decorate

Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars using a spatula. Add your holiday sprinkles immediately so they stick before the frosting sets.

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Step 10: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang and cut into even squares. Wipe your knife between cuts for clean edges. Enjoy!

How Long to Prepare the Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

Making these bars is quick and efficient, perfect for holiday baking marathons. The total time is under an hour, but the flavor and texture feel like a labor of love.

Preparation Time: Mixing the dough, prepping the pan, and making the frosting takes about 20–25 minutes. This is with room-temperature butter and all your ingredients pre-measured for smooth sailing.

Baking & Cooling Time: Bake for 20–24 minutes, and allow at least 30 minutes for the bars to cool before frosting. You can speed up cooling by placing the pan near an open window or refrigerating for a short while.

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Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

• Use room-temperature butter to ensure smooth creaming.
• Don’t overmix the dough once the flour is added; it can make the bars dense.
• Press the dough evenly in the pan for consistent thickness.
• Let the bars cool completely before frosting or the buttercream will melt.
• Wipe your knife between slices for clean, bakery-style edges.

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Watch Out for These Mistakes While Cooking

• Overbaking: The bars should look pale on top with just a light golden edge. Overbaking leads to dry texture.
• Skipping parchment paper: It makes removing and slicing much easier.
• Too much flour: Always spoon and level your flour, don’t scoop, to avoid dry bars.
• Under-creaming butter and sugar: Creaming introduces air for a light texture — don’t rush it.
• Not tasting your frosting: Adjust vanilla and cream for perfect sweetness and spreadability.

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What to Serve With Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars?

1. Hot Chocolate

Rich and velvety hot chocolate pairs perfectly with these sweet bars for an ultra-cozy treat.

2. Coffee or Espresso

The buttery sweetness of the bars complements the bitterness of coffee beautifully.

3. Sparkling Apple Cider

A festive, non-alcoholic drink option that matches the holiday vibe.

4. Eggnog

Creamy eggnog with a sprinkle of nutmeg goes hand-in-hand with these frosted bites.

5. Vanilla Ice Cream

Serve slightly warmed bars with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for a simple dessert upgrade.

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Storage Instructions

At Room Temperature: Store in an airtight container for up to 3 days. Keep them in a cool spot to maintain the frosting’s texture.

In the Fridge: For longer storage, refrigerate the bars for up to a week. Let them sit at room temp for 15 minutes before serving for best texture.

Freezing: These bars freeze beautifully. Place cut squares in a single layer in a freezer-safe container, separating layers with parchment paper. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge or a few hours at room temp before serving.

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Estimated Nutrition

Per bar (based on 24 bars):

• Calories: ~230 kcal
• Carbohydrates: 30g
• Sugar: 21g
• Fat: 11g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Protein: 2g
• Sodium: 85mg
• Fiber: <1g

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Frequently Asked Questions

How do I make these bars extra festive?

Use red and green colored sugar, crushed peppermint, or even edible glitter to take the holiday vibe up a notch.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes! You can double the batch and bake in two 9×13 pans or use a larger sheet pan. Just watch the bake time closely.

Can I use store-bought frosting?

Absolutely, if you’re in a rush. Look for vanilla or cream cheese frosting — just make sure it’s thick enough to spread.

Can I make these ahead?

Yes! Bake the bars a day ahead, cool completely, and frost the next day for fresh presentation.

What if I don’t have sprinkles?

No worries! Use mini chocolate chips, festive M&Ms, or a dusting of powdered sugar for a pretty finish.

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Conclusion

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a simple, nostalgic dessert that fits every holiday occasion. With their buttery soft base and creamy frosting, they’re a guaranteed crowd-pleaser — and a lot less work than traditional cut-out cookies. Whether you’re baking for family, friends, or just to treat yourself during a busy season, these bars deliver on flavor, festive fun, and ease of preparation. Bake once and you’ll want to make them part of your holiday tradition every year.

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