Nothing quite says festive like a cozy batch of Christmas cookie bars fresh from the oven. This Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe is bursting with buttery sweetness, just the right amount of spice, and all the colorful sprinkles that make the holiday season feel extra magical. Trust me, once you try these, you’ll want to bake them year after year.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe has a special place in my holiday baking arsenal because it’s both comforting and festive without requiring hours of prep. I love how it combines a lightly tangy cream cheese base with classic sugar cookie flavors, and that colorful burst of sprinkles always draws a smile from family and friends!
- Simple prep: You mix everything in one bowl, which means less mess and more time enjoying the season.
- Perfect texture: These bars are soft and tender in the middle with just a hint of crispness on the edges.
- Customizable frosting: Whether you prefer classic white or fun holiday colors, the frosting turns out creamy and dreamy every time.
- Family favorite: My kids and friends have always given these a thumbs-up, especially when topped with festive sprinkles or M&Ms.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a role in delivering that unforgettable holiday cookie bar experience. The cream cheese keeps things tender and moist, while the vanilla adds warmth. And those Christmas jimmies? They don’t just look pretty—they bring a fun crunch and festive colors that brighten up every bite.
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter gives the bars richness and helps create that melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough evenly and helps with the lovely golden edges.
- Eggs: They bind everything together gracefully and add just the right amount of moisture.
- Cream cheese: The secret ingredient that amps up the softness and adds a slight tang.
- Vanilla extract: Brings that classic cookie aroma that fills your kitchen with warmth.
- Flour: The sturdy backbone of any cookie dough, spooned and leveled to avoid a dense batch.
- Baking powder: Gives a subtle lift so the bars aren’t heavy or flat.
- Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances all the flavors.
- Christmas jimmies: Sprinkles add festive color and a slight crunch that makes these bars pop.
- Powdered sugar (for frosting): Sweetens and smooths the frosting perfectly.
- Heavy cream: Makes the frosting creamy and easy to spread.
- Food coloring (optional): Personalize your frosting with bright reds, greens, or any holiday hue.
- Assorted Christmas sprinkles: For that extra festive finish on top.
Make It Your Way
One of the best things about this Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe is how flexible it is. I often tweak the frosting colors depending on the holiday vibe, and I’m always open to trying different mix-ins. You should totally make it yours and have fun with it.
- Variation: I once swapped out the sprinkles for chopped peppermint candies for a cool minty twist — it was a hit at our holiday party.
- Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free option, using plant-based butter and cream cheese substitutes works surprisingly well.
- Seasonal spin: Try adding a teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg to the dough for a cozy warmth that pairs beautifully with hot cocoa.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Step 1: Prep Like a Pro
Start by preheating your oven to 375°F and lining a 9x13 pan with parchment paper. I always grease the pan lightly under the parchment because that extra step means non-stick perfection and easier cleanup.
Step 2: Cream Butter and Sugar Until Fluffy
Using a mixer, cream the softened butter and sugar for about 3 minutes. You want it light and fluffy—that’s the secret to bars that feel tender but still have a slight chew. Don’t rush this part; it makes a huge difference!
Step 3: Mix in Eggs, Cream Cheese, and Vanilla
Add the eggs one at a time, then the softened cream cheese and vanilla. Mixing these wet ingredients thoroughly helps the dough come together smoothly and makes the bars ultra-moist.
Step 4: Combine Dry Ingredients and Fold in Sprinkles
Whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt together separately. Slowly add this mixture to the wet ingredients while stirring gently. Be careful not to overmix here—once everything just comes together, it’s time to stop. Then fold in the Christmas jimmies carefully so their colors stay bright.
Step 5: Press and Bake
Press the dough evenly into your prepared pan using your hands or a rubber spatula. Bake for 15-17 minutes, watching closely; once the edges turn lightly golden, it’s ready. Let the bars cool completely before frosting—you don’t want melted frosting, trust me!
Step 6: Whip Up the Frosting
Beat the softened butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla, and salt. Mix until fluffy—you can add a few drops of food coloring here for that perfect holiday color. I like to beat my frosting extra long for a silky smooth finish.
Step 7: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars, then shower with your favorite Christmas sprinkles or festive M&Ms. Slice into squares, serve, and prepare for compliments!
Top Tip
After making these bars several times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make the process smoother and the results even better. These tips helped me avoid some rookie mistakes and get that perfect texture consistently.
- Room temperature ingredients: Make sure your butter, cream cheese, and eggs are at room temp; it makes mixing easier and gives a smoother dough.
- Don’t skip greasing: Even with parchment, a light grease on the pan prevents sticking, so your bars pop out in clean squares without breaking.
- Watch your bake time: The bars come out best when edges just start turning golden—overbaking makes them dry, and underbaking leaves them gooey.
- Cool completely before frosting: This avoids a melty mess and lets the frosting set nicely for clean slicing.
How to Serve Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
Garnishes
I usually stick to classic Christmas sprinkles because they add that pop of color and fun crunch. Sometimes, I sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a peppermint twist. It’s festive and the minty flavor pairs wonderfully with the creamy frosting.
Side Dishes
These cookie bars are perfect on their own but pair beautifully with a mug of hot cocoa or a cup of spiced chai. During family gatherings, I like to serve them alongside soft holiday cookies or a cheese platter to balance sweet and savory.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, I arrange the bars on festive platters with little sprigs of rosemary or holly for that extra Christmas feel. Wrapping individual bars in clear cellophane tied with ribbon makes sweet homemade gifts that everyone appreciates.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. The bars stay soft and the frosting remains creamy, making them just as delightful as the first day.
Freezing
Frequent baker here: I’ve wrapped individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then stored all wrapped pieces in a freezer bag. They freeze well for up to 3 months. To thaw, I just leave them at room temp for a couple hours before serving.
Reheating
If you want to warm them up, pop them in the microwave for about 10 seconds. The frosting softens and the bars taste just baked fresh. Just be gentle so the frosting doesn’t melt too much.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Yes, you can use salted butter if that's what you have on hand, but I recommend reducing or skipping the added salt in the recipe to keep the flavor balanced.
Make sure to not overbake the bars. Remove them from the oven as soon as the edges turn golden and the center looks set but still soft. Also, don’t skip the cream cheese—its moisture helps keep the bars tender.
Yes! Substitute the all-purpose flour for a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend. Make sure it contains xanthan gum or a similar binder to keep the texture nice. The bars will taste just as delightful.
Add gel food coloring drops to your frosting gradually and mix until you reach the desired color. Gel colors won’t thin your frosting like liquid colors might, so you keep that creamy consistency perfect for spreading.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe always feels like a warm hug in dessert form, especially during the busy holiday season. I hope you give it a try and find it as comforting and joyful as I do. Sharing these bars with loved ones has become one of my favorite holiday rituals — and I know you’ll love making it your tradition, too.
Print
Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 17 minutes
- Total Time: 22 minutes
- Yield: 20 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Delicious Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars featuring a soft, buttery base topped with creamy vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations and easy to make in a 9x13 pan.
Ingredients
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
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 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 Eggs and Flavorings: Add in the eggs, softened cream cheese, and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined into a smooth batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry flour mixture into the wet batter while stirring carefully until a soft dough forms.
- Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold the Christmas jimmies (sprinkles) into the dough for festive color.
- Press Dough into Pan: Evenly press the cookie dough into the prepared 9x13 pan using your hands or a rubber spatula.
- Bake the Bars: Bake in the preheated oven for 17 minutes or until the edges just begin to turn golden brown. Remove and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan.
- Prepare Frosting: In a bowl, beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt until creamy and fluffy. Add food coloring if desired for a colorful touch.
- Frost the Bars: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Decorate and Serve: Sprinkle additional Christmas sprinkles or festive candies on top. Cut into squares and serve.
Notes
- Ensure butter and cream cheese are sufficiently softened to achieve a smooth dough and frosting.
- For a whiter frosting, imitation vanilla extract may be used instead of regular vanilla extract.
- Use parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup easier.
- Allow bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting the frosting.
- Additional Christmas candies, such as M&Ms, can be added on top for extra decoration and flavor.
- Press dough evenly for uniform baking and thickness of bars.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 120 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0.2 g
- Carbohydrates: 33 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 45 mg
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