Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars – Soft Frosted Holiday Cookie Bars

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a delicious holiday dessert made with soft, buttery sugar cookie dough and a thick layer of creamy frosting topped with festive sprinkles. They have all the sweet flavor of classic Christmas sugar cookies but are much easier to prepare because there’s no rolling, cutting, or shaping individual cookies. The cookie dough is pressed into a baking pan, baked until set, and topped with homemade cream cheese frosting once completely cooled. Cut them into squares or rectangles and serve them at Christmas parties, family gatherings, or holiday cookie exchanges. They’re also convenient to make ahead when you want a festive dessert without spending hours in the kitchen.

Why You’ll Love These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

• Easier than traditional sugar cookies: There’s no need to roll out dough, use cookie cutters, or bake multiple trays. Everything comes together in one baking pan.
• Soft and buttery texture: Butter and cream cheese help create a rich, tender cookie bar with a soft bite.
• Thick cream cheese frosting: The homemade frosting adds a creamy, sweet layer that pairs beautifully with the sugar cookie base.
• Festive holiday appearance: Colorful Christmas sprinkles make these bars look beautiful on holiday dessert tables and cookie trays.
• Great for sharing: One 9×13-inch pan makes 15 bars, making this recipe suitable for Christmas parties and family gatherings.
• Make-ahead friendly: The unfrosted bars can be frozen for up to three months, giving you a head start on holiday baking.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Ingredients

This recipe has two main components: the soft sugar cookie bars and the creamy frosting. Both use simple baking ingredients that come together to create a classic holiday dessert.

For the Sugar Cookie Bars

• Unsalted butter: Softened butter adds richness and helps create a tender cookie texture. Make sure it is at room temperature so it creams easily with the other ingredients.
• Cream cheese: Adds moisture and a slight tanginess to the cookie dough, helping balance the sweetness.
• White sugar: Sweetens the bars and contributes to their classic sugar cookie flavor.
• Vanilla extract: Provides a warm, familiar flavor that complements the butter and cream cheese.
• Almond extract: An optional ingredient that adds a subtle almond flavor. It gives the cookie bars an extra layer of flavor without changing their basic character.
• Eggs: Two large eggs help bind the ingredients together and give the bars structure.
• All-purpose flour: Provides the main structure of the cookie bars.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, more tender texture.
• Baking powder: Gives the cookie bars a little lift as they bake.
• Salt: Balances the sweetness and brings out the flavor of the other ingredients.

For the Frosting

• Unsalted butter: Creates a rich, creamy base for the frosting.
• Cream cheese: Adds the smooth texture and slight tanginess that make cream cheese frosting so delicious.
• Salt: Helps balance the sweetness of the powdered sugar.
• Vanilla extract: Adds flavor and complements the sugar cookie base.
• Powdered sugar: Sweetens and thickens the frosting. The amount can be adjusted between 2 and 3 cups depending on your preferred sweetness and consistency.
• Holiday sprinkles: Add a colorful Christmas finish and make the bars look festive.

Helpful Tips for Making Soft Sugar Cookie Bars

A few simple details can make a difference when preparing these Christmas cookie bars.

• Use room-temperature butter and cream cheese: Softened ingredients combine more easily and create a smoother cookie dough and frosting.
• Cream the butter, cream cheese, and sugar until fluffy: This helps incorporate air into the mixture and gives the bars a lighter texture.
• Sift the dry ingredients: Combining the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt separately helps distribute the ingredients evenly.
• Add the flour mixture gradually: Beat it into the wet ingredients about half at a time to make mixing easier.
• Grease your hands before pressing the dough: The cookie dough can be sticky, so lightly greased hands make it easier to spread evenly in the baking pan.
• Avoid overbaking: The recipe recommends baking until the top is set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
• Cool completely before frosting: Adding frosting to warm cookie bars can cause it to soften or melt. Let the bars cool completely in the pan first.
• Adjust the frosting gradually: Add powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time until you reach your preferred sweetness and thickness.

How to Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

These Christmas sugar cookie bars are easy to prepare in a 9×13-inch baking pan. First, make the cookie dough, bake it, and allow it to cool before adding the homemade frosting.

Step 1: Prepare the Baking Pan

Preheat your oven to 350°F.

Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease it, or line it with parchment paper.

Preparing the pan before mixing the dough makes it easier to remove and serve the finished cookie bars.

Step 2: Cream the Butter, Cream Cheese, and Sugar

In a large mixing bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened unsalted butter, 4 ounces cream cheese, and 1 cup white sugar.

Continue beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

This step helps combine the ingredients evenly and creates the creamy base for the sugar cookie dough.

Step 3: Add the Eggs and Extracts

Beat in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract if using, and 2 large eggs.

Mix until everything is combined.

The almond extract is optional, so you can leave it out if you prefer a more traditional vanilla sugar cookie flavor.

Step 4: Combine the Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, sift together:

• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt

Sifting helps distribute the dry ingredients evenly before adding them to the wet mixture.

Step 5: Finish the Cookie Dough

Carefully beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture, adding approximately half at a time.

Continue mixing until the ingredients are combined.

Avoid mixing more than necessary once the flour has been added.

Step 6: Press the Dough into the Pan

Spoon the prepared dough into the lined baking pan.

Lightly grease your hands and gently press the dough into an even layer.

Make sure the dough reaches the corners of the pan so the cookie bars bake evenly.

Step 7: Bake the Sugar Cookie Bars

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake at 350°F for 22–25 minutes.

The top should be set, and a toothpick inserted into the center should come out clean.

Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely while still in the pan.

Step 8: Prepare the Cream Cheese Frosting

In a mixing bowl, beat 1/2 cup unsalted butter until soft.

Add 2 ounces cream cheese and mix until combined.

Add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract.

With the mixer on low speed, gradually beat in 2–3 cups powdered sugar, adding approximately 1/2 cup at a time.

Continue mixing until the frosting reaches your preferred sweetness and thickness.

Step 9: Frost and Decorate

Once the cookie bars have cooled completely, spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the surface.

Finish with holiday sprinkles while the frosting is still soft so they stick.

Cut into 15 bars and serve.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bar Variations

The original recipe has a classic vanilla sugar cookie base with cream cheese frosting, but you can make a few small adjustments depending on your preferences.

• Skip the almond extract: If you prefer a traditional sugar cookie flavor, simply leave out the optional almond extract.
• Customize the sprinkles: Use red, green, white, or multicolored holiday sprinkles to match your Christmas decorations.
• Adjust the frosting sweetness: Start with 2 cups powdered sugar and add more gradually, up to 3 cups, depending on your preferred sweetness and frosting thickness.
• Make a smaller batch: The recipe can be halved and baked in an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch pan. The baking time will be approximately the same.

How to Serve Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

These frosted sugar cookie bars are perfect for holiday celebrations because they’re easy to cut, arrange, and share.

• Christmas cookie trays: Add them alongside gingerbread cookies, shortbread, and other festive homemade treats.
• Holiday dessert tables: Arrange the bars on a serving platter for Christmas parties and family gatherings.
• Cookie exchanges: Their square shape makes them easy to package and share with friends and family.
• Christmas brunch: Serve smaller portions as a sweet addition to a holiday brunch spread.
• Edible gifts: Place individual bars in suitable food containers for homemade holiday treats.

For a neat presentation, allow the frosting to settle before cutting the bars into individual portions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Christmas sugar cookie bars easier than traditional sugar cookies?

Yes. Instead of rolling out dough, cutting individual shapes, and baking multiple trays, you simply press the dough into one 9×13-inch pan. After baking and cooling, add the frosting and cut into bars.

Can I leave out the almond extract?

Yes. Almond extract is optional in this recipe. You can omit it without needing to replace it with another ingredient.

Why do the cookie bars need to cool completely before frosting?

The cream cheese frosting can soften or melt if spread over warm cookie bars. Cooling the bars completely helps the frosting maintain its consistency and makes decorating easier.

Can I make these Christmas sugar cookie bars in a smaller pan?

Yes. The recipe can be halved and prepared in an 8×8-inch or 9×9-inch baking pan. The supplied recipe notes that the baking time will be approximately the same.

Can I make Christmas sugar cookie bars ahead of time?

Yes. You can bake the unfrosted cookie bars ahead of time and freeze them for up to three months. Thaw them in the refrigerator overnight, then bring them to room temperature before frosting and serving.

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These Christmas sugar cookie bars are convenient to prepare ahead of the holidays, especially if you want to spread out your baking.

Room temperature storage: Store the frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Refrigerator storage: Keep the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Freezing unfrosted bars: Wrap the unfrosted cookie bars tightly and freeze for up to 3 months.

Thawing: Transfer the frozen unfrosted bars to the refrigerator and thaw overnight. Bring them to room temperature before adding the frosting and serving.

Make-ahead preparation: Baking and freezing the unfrosted cookie base ahead of time makes holiday preparation easier. Prepare the frosting and decorate after thawing.

Make These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a wonderful addition to your holiday baking list. With their soft, buttery cookie base, creamy cream cheese frosting, and colorful sprinkles, they bring all the festive flavors of Christmas sugar cookies without the extra work of rolling and cutting dough. Make a batch for your next holiday gathering, cookie exchange, or Christmas dessert table, and save a few for later!

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