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
Scale
Sugar Cookie Bars
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 1/2 cups flour (spooned and leveled)
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/4 cup Christmas jimmies
Frosting
- 1/2 cup butter (softened)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3-4 TBS heavy cream
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/8 tsp 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
