When it comes to holiday baking, few desserts capture the spirit of Christmas quite like Christmas sugar cookie bars. These soft, buttery squares combine the best parts of classic sugar cookies, sweet flavor and tender crumb, with the ease of a one-pan bake. No rolling, no cutting, no stress. Just mix, spread, bake, and frost! Whether you’re prepping for a cookie exchange, family gathering, or cozy night by the tree, this recipe will quickly become your new holiday staple. The result? A cheerful tray of cookie bars dressed in frosting and festive sprinkles that spark pure Christmas joy.
Table of Contents
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
These Christmas sugar cookie bars deliver all the nostalgia of homemade cookies without the extra steps. One pan, one batch, endless happiness. The tender cookie base pairs beautifully with a thick swirl of buttercream frosting, classic white or tinted pink for extra holiday flair. Finish with a blizzard of red, green, and white sprinkles, and you’ll have a dessert fit for Santa himself. If you’re looking for more festive ideas, check out this easy holiday cookie cake for creative spins and flavors to try.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Mixing bowls (large and medium)
- Electric mixer or hand whisk
- Rubber Spatula
- Parchment paper
- Cooling rack
- Offset spatula (for frosting)
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup 2 sticks unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup holiday sprinkles optional
Frosting:
- 1 cup unsalted butter softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Food coloring optional
- Additional sprinkles for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
- Add eggs and vanilla extract, mixing until smooth.
- In another bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to the wet mixture until a soft dough forms.
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan using a spatula.
- Bake for 18-22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
- Let the cookie base cool completely before adding frosting.
- To make the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.
- If desired, add food coloring and beat until evenly tinted.
- Spread frosting evenly over cooled cookie and top with holiday sprinkles.
- Cut into squares or festive shapes, serve, and enjoy!
Notes
- Calories 235 kcal
- Carbohydrates 28 g
- Protein 2 g
- Fat 12 g
- Saturated Fat 7 g
- Cholesterol 48 mg
- Sodium 110 mg
- Sugar 20 g
- Fiber 0.5 g
Ingredients & Baking Method – Building the Perfect Sugar Cookie Bar Base
Simple Ingredients for Big Holiday Flavor
The secret to perfect Christmas sugar cookie bars isn’t about fancy tools or rare ingredients, it’s about balance. Softened butter brings richness, granulated sugar adds sweetness, and a splash of vanilla transforms a simple dough into a holiday masterpiece. What I love most about this recipe is how approachable it is. You’ll likely have everything already stocked in your pantry.
Here’s what you’ll need to make the magic happen:
| Ingredient | Substitutes |
|---|---|
| All-purpose flour | Use gluten-free 1:1 baking flour or whole wheat pastry flour for a denser texture. |
| Unsalted butter, softened | Substitute with vegan butter or coconut oil for dairy-free bars. |
| Granulated sugar | Try coconut sugar or light brown sugar for a caramel-like taste. |
| Large eggs | Use flaxseed eggs (1 tbsp flax + 3 tbsp water) for an egg-free version. |
| Vanilla extract | Swap with almond extract or maple syrup for different flavor notes. |
| Baking powder | Combine ¼ tsp baking soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar if needed. |
| Salt | Sea salt or pink Himalayan salt enhances flavor subtly. |
| Holiday sprinkles (optional) | Use crushed peppermint candy or colored sugar crystals for variety. |
Butter is key here, use real, high-quality butter for that signature flavor. For extra depth, try adding a hint of almond extract. It’s the same little trick I use in my classic sugar cookie recipe, and it makes all the difference.
Step-by-Step Baking Guide
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar until fluffy, this step gives your Christmas sugar cookie bars their soft texture. Add eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth. In a separate bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, and salt together, then gradually blend into the wet mixture.
Spread the dough evenly in the pan, it should feel thick but manageable. Bake for 18-22 minutes until the edges are lightly golden but the center looks just set. Remember, slightly underbaking keeps them chewy. Cool completely before frosting; patience pays off here!
For more inspiration, explore Christmas Gingerbread Cake that pair perfectly with these bars.
Frosting, Decorating & Variations – Bring on the Festive Fun
The Best Frosting for Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Once your cookie base has cooled, it’s time for the fun part, the frosting. The creamy topping transforms simple cookie bars into a show-stopping dessert worthy of any Christmas celebration. For the best results, use a light, fluffy buttercream that spreads easily and holds its shape. My go-to recipe combines unsalted butter, powdered sugar, and a splash of milk for that cloud-like texture.
If you prefer a richer flavor, try a touch of cream cheese in your frosting, it adds a gentle tang that balances the sweetness beautifully. And if you’re short on time, a store-bought frosting will work, but nothing beats homemade.
When coloring your frosting, start with just a drop or two of gel food coloring. Red, green, or even soft pink can make your Christmas sugar cookie bars sparkle. Divide your frosting into smaller bowls to create multiple colors if you’re decorating with kids, it turns the process into a mini art session.
Creative Decorating Ideas
Now comes the magic touch. Grab your favorite holiday sprinkles, stars, snowflakes, or red-and-green jimmies, and scatter them over the frosted surface while it’s still soft. For an elegant twist, add crushed peppermint candies or edible glitter. I sometimes create a two-tone frosting by swirling pink and white together for a peppermint-inspired look, like in my test kitchen photos.
Want to take it further? Cut the cooled bars into Christmas tree shapes, add a small chocolate chip as the “tree trunk,” and pipe a garland of frosting zigzags across each one. This playful touch turns your dessert into a holiday centerpiece.
If you enjoy experimenting, check out these best cookie bar recipe for creative flavor spins, like adding peppermint extract, orange zest, or white chocolate chips. A little tweak can make every batch unique and full of personality.
Storing, Serving & Sharing
How to Store and Freeze Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
The only downside to Christmas sugar cookie bars? They disappear fast! Luckily, they store beautifully, keeping their soft, chewy texture for days when sealed properly. Once your bars have cooled and been frosted, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to three days. To prevent smudging, layer parchment paper between rows of bars.
If you’d like to make them ahead, freezing is your friend. Wrap individual unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap, then store them in a freezer-safe container for up to two months. When you’re ready to serve, thaw them at room temperature before frosting. You can even freeze the frosted version, just flash-freeze on a baking sheet first, then stack with parchment once solid. The result? Ready-to-serve sweetness that tastes just as fresh as the day you baked them.
For other clever storage tips and dessert-prepping tricks, explore these holiday baking ideas that make entertaining stress-free and fun.
Perfect for Gifting and Gatherings
One of my favorite parts of making Christmas sugar cookie bars is sharing them. I love cutting them into bite-sized squares, wrapping each one in parchment, and tying it with a bit of twine for rustic homemade gifts. Stack a few in a festive tin, and you’ve got a thoughtful, affordable holiday treat that looks as good as it tastes.
These bars also shine at potlucks and cookie exchanges. Their soft, buttery texture holds up beautifully, even after hours on a dessert table. For extra charm, sprinkle crushed candy canes over the top just before serving, they’ll add a delicate crunch and a hint of mint that screams Christmas. If you’re baking for a crowd, you might also enjoy my peppermint cookies, a vibrant twist that pairs perfectly with cocoa or eggnog.
As the evening winds down and the lights twinkle across the room, there’s something comforting about sharing a simple dessert made with care. These cookie bars bring back the joy of baking for others, a sweet reminder that food, especially at Christmas, is love you can taste.
FAQs
Can I make Christmas sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Absolutely! You can bake the cookie base up to two days in advance, then frost the bars right before serving. Store them covered at room temperature to keep them soft and fresh. For longer storage, freeze unfrosted bars and thaw when ready to decorate.
How do I keep sugar cookie bars soft after baking?
To maintain that tender texture, don’t overbake, remove them as soon as the edges turn light golden. Once cooled, store in an airtight container with parchment between layers. A slice of bread inside the container can also help retain moisture.
Can I use store-bought frosting for these cookie bars?
Yes, but homemade frosting gives the best flavor and texture. If using store-bought, whip it briefly to make it lighter and fluffier. Add a drop of vanilla or almond extract for a richer, bakery-style taste.
How do I color the frosting for Christmas themes?
Use gel food coloring for vibrant results without thinning the frosting. Red, green, and soft pink are perfect for Christmas sugar cookie bars. Divide your frosting into separate bowls for multiple colors, or swirl two tones together for a festive finish.
There’s something special about baking Christmas sugar cookie bars, the smell of vanilla in the air, the warmth of the oven, and the sparkle of sprinkles scattered across creamy frosting. These bars aren’t just desserts; they’re little squares of joy that turn simple moments into memories. Whether you’re gifting them, serving them at a party, or sharing them with family by the fire, they capture the cozy magic of the season perfectly.
Bake, share, and celebrate, because the sweetest gifts are the ones made with love.
