There’s something about the warm, buttery aroma of these bars baking that instantly fills the kitchen with holiday cheer. This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe combines all the joy of sugar cookies with the convenience of bars—so you get festive flavor without the fuss of rolling and cutting dough. It’s a real crowd-pleaser for parties or cozy nights by the fire.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
I’ve made plenty of sugar cookie recipes over the years, but these bars hold a special place in my heart because they’re fast, forgiving, and insanely delicious. You skip all that rolling and chilling, yet still get that classic, buttery sugar cookie taste with just the right amount of sweetness.
- Effortless preparation: You can mix everything in one bowl and skip the tedious dough rolling process.
- Cream cheese magic: The cream cheese adds a tender texture and slight tang that makes these bars uniquely soft.
- Festive flair: Sprinkles folded throughout and on top give every bite a joyful pop of color and crunch.
- Customizable frosting: The buttery vanilla frosting spreads easily and you can tint it or dress it up however you like.
Ingredients & Why They Work
This combination of ingredients balances flavor, texture, and a little holiday whimsy. I always recommend using good quality butter and fresh vanilla extract for the best taste, and don’t skimp on the cream cheese—it’s the secret to that melt-in-your-mouth softness.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter provides richness and helps the bars stay tender and flavorful without being greasy.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create that classic sugar cookie snap on the edges.
- Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to a moist, cohesive dough.
- Cream cheese: This little addition makes the bars extra moist and slightly tangy, giving them a distinct, delicious texture.
- Vanilla extract: It deepens the flavor and adds warm, aromatic notes we all love in holiday treats.
- Flour: Using the proper amount ensures the right cookie bar consistency — soft but not cakey.
- Baking powder: Gives a light lift so the bars aren’t dense or heavy.
- Salt: Just a pinch to balance the sweetness and bring out all the flavors.
- Christmas jimmies (sprinkles): These add festive color and a slight crunch that’s fun and visually appealing.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Makes the frosting perfectly smooth and fluffy.
- Heavy cream: Lightens the frosting and helps achieve that creamy spreadable texture.
- Food coloring (optional): If you want to tint the frosting to coordinate with your holiday decor.
- Assorted Christmas sprinkles: For topping, because who doesn’t want an extra sprinkle of holiday magic?
Make It Your Way
One of my favorite things about this Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe is how easy it is to make your own twists. Whether you want to add a hint of almond extract or swap sprinkles for mini chocolate chips, your kitchen, your rules!
- Variation: I’ve tried adding a dash of cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm holiday vibe—it’s fantastic and makes the kitchen smell like Christmas morning.
- Diet-friendly swaps: Use a dairy-free cream cheese and vegan butter to make it friendly for lactose intolerance without losing that lovely texture.
- Seasonal toppings: Swap sprinkles for crushed peppermint candies or chopped nuts for a different festive crunch.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
You want to start by softening your butter, then whipping it together with sugar for about 3 minutes. I find using a hand mixer helps you get a nice, fluffy texture without overworking it. This step is key because it creates air bubbles that keep your bars light and tender.
Step 2: Add Eggs, Cream Cheese, and Vanilla
Don’t skip softening the cream cheese before mixing; the texture blends smoothly and you won’t have lumps. Mix these in until everything looks homogenous and creamy.
Step 3: Combine the Dry Ingredients and Fold in Sprinkles
Whisk together your flour, baking powder, and salt in a separate bowl. Gradually add this to the wet mixture to prevent clumping. When everything is combined but before pressing into the pan, gently fold in your Christmas jimmies for that pop of color throughout.
Step 4: Press and Bake
Press the dough evenly into your prepared 9x13 pan using your hands or a spatula. Bake at 375°F for 15-17 minutes until you see the edges just start to turn golden. Take care not to overbake—the bars should be soft in the middle but set.
Step 5: Make the Frosting and Decorate
Beat the frosting ingredients together until fluffy and creamy. If you want a whiter frosting, imitation vanilla extract works wonders. Tint with food coloring if desired, spread over cooled bars, and top with sprinkles or festive candies for the final festive touch.
Top Tip
After making these bars many times, I’ve learned that chilling the cream cheese and butter before mixing—not too cold, just room temp—is crucial for that tender texture. Overmixing the dry ingredients can make the bars tough, so stir until just combined.
- Don’t overbake: Check them a minute or two before time’s up; the edges should be set but the center still soft.
- Softened cream cheese: This ensures the dough is silky and smooth without lumps.
- Gently fold in sprinkles: Mixing too aggressively can cause colors to bleed.
- Spread frosting when bars are cool: Warm bars will melt the frosting and make it runny.
How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with extra Christmas sprinkles on top, but sometimes I add mini M&Ms or finely chopped nuts for texture. Fresh cranberries or a light drizzle of white chocolate can also add a beautiful festive touch.
Side Dishes
These bars pair beautifully with a hot cup of cocoa, peppermint tea, or even a spiced mulled wine if you’re feeling fancy. They’re great alongside finger sandwiches or a cheese platter for holiday gatherings too.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like to stack these bars on a pretty tiered cake stand surrounded by pine sprigs and ornaments. Wrapping individual bars in clear cellophane tied with ribbon also makes for perfect edible gifts or party favors.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days and they stay wonderfully soft. If your kitchen is warm, I pop them in the fridge and bring them back to room temp before serving.
Freezing
These bars freeze beautifully, both frosted and unfrosted. I wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and foil, then thaw overnight in the fridge. It’s my go-to way to prep early for busy holiday days.
Reheating
If you like your bars a bit warmed, I heat individual pieces in the microwave for about 10-15 seconds. It brings out that fresh-baked softness without melting the frosting too much.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Always use softened cream cheese for this recipe. It blends more smoothly into the dough, ensuring a tender texture without lumps.
Yes! Substitute the regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend that measures cup-for-cup. Make sure your baking powder is gluten-free as well.
If the bars are still warm, the frosting can melt and become runny, which makes spreading difficult and the final bars messy. Waiting ensures a smooth, stable frosting layer.
Absolutely! I love using festive red and green jimmies, but nonpareils, sanding sugar, or even holiday-themed shaped sprinkles all work beautifully to add color and crunch. Just fold them in gently to avoid bleeding colors.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe has become my holiday go-to because it’s easy, festive, and absolutely satisfying. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do—sharing these bars always brings smiles and that warm, cozy feeling of the season. So grab your mixer, sprinkle some holiday magic in your kitchen, and treat yourself and your loved ones to these delightful bars!
Print
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
These festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars combine a soft, creamy sugar cookie base with a rich, fluffy frosting topped with colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars offer the classic flavors of sugar cookies in an easy-to-cut bar form.
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 and prepare pan: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and line a 9x13 inch pan with parchment paper for easy removal and cleanup.
- 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, which helps create a tender texture in the bars.
- Add wet ingredients: Incorporate the eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract into the creamed mixture. Mix until fully combined and smooth.
- Combine dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute the leavening and seasoning.
- Mix dry and wet ingredients: Slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture while stirring continuously until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas jimmies to evenly disperse the festive colors throughout the dough without overmixing.
- Spread batter: Press the batter evenly into the prepared 9x13 pan using your hands or a rubber spatula to create a uniform layer.
- Bake bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. This ensures a soft, chewy texture inside.
- Cool bars: Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting, which helps the frosting adhere properly.
- Make frosting: Beat together softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until the frosting is fluffy and creamy. Add food coloring if desired to match holiday themes.
- Frost bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars to create a smooth surface for decoration.
- Add sprinkles and serve: Sprinkle assorted Christmas sprinkles over the frosting, cut into 20 squares, and serve for a delightful holiday treat.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese and butter are fully softened for smoother mixing and better texture.
- For a whiter frosting, imitation vanilla extract can be used instead of pure vanilla extract.
- The Christmas jimmies and sprinkles can be substituted with mini chocolate chips or holiday-themed candies for variety.
- Store the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days to maintain freshness.
- Using parchment paper in the pan helps with easy removal and clean slicing of the bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 110 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg
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