Soft, sweet, and topped with fluffy buttercream, these Christmas sugar cookie bars bring all the nostalgic holiday flavor without any rolling, chilling, or cutting. They're the kind of easy, festive treat you can whip up during nap time or right before a holiday party, and everyone will think you fussed.
If you're a fan of traditional sugar cookies but don't love the extra work of rolling dough and cutting shapes, these adorably festive Christmas cookie bars are your answer.
They're thick, chewy, perfectly sweet, and covered in the festive sprinkles.
As a Southern dietitian, I love having a recipe like this in my back pocket because it's easy to make ahead and perfect for cookie exchanges, school parties, and family gatherings when life feels busiest.
Looking for more holiday treats? Try my mini snickerdoodles,peppermint bark cookies, or cranberry orange white chocolate chip cookies next.
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Why You'll Love This Recipe
- No cookie cutters needed: The soft, chewy texture gives classic sugar cookie vibes without rolling dough or cutting shapes.
- Customizable: You can easily customize colors, flavors, and sprinkles to match any holiday theme like Valentine's day or 4th of July.
- Tis the season to gift: A thick layer of creamy buttercream frosting makes them party ready and perfect for gifting.
Ingredients
These cookie bars use simple ingredients that create a soft, tender base and the fluffiest frosting.
Sugar Cookie Base:
- Unsalted butter: Softened butter mixes smoothly and gives the bars their tender, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- Granulated sugar and light brown sugar: The two sugars together create balanced sweetness and that irresistible chew.
- Vanilla extract and almond extract: Almond extract brings that nostalgic holiday flavor, but you can scale it to your taste.
- All-purpose flour and cornstarch: The cornstarch keeps the bars soft, thick, and lightly buttery.
- Egg: Helps with structure and moisture.
Buttercream Frosting:
- Powdered sugar & softened butter: These blend together for a creamy, fluffy frosting that spreads easily.
- Heavy cream: Makes the frosting extra fluffy and easy to spread.
- Festive sprinkles: Add the final touch of holiday magic! Use green sprinkles, red sprinkles, or a festive mix you love.
See the recipe card below for the full ingredient list and measurements.
If you love classic sugar cookie flavors, you'll love my sugar cookie dip an easy party dip!
Substitutions & Variations
You can make these cookie bars your own with a few simple swaps.
- Swap the almond extract for peppermint extract if you want a classic candy cane twist.
- Use gluten free 1:1 flour to make these bars gluten friendly without changing texture too much.
- Tint the frosting red or green using gel food coloring to match your holiday theme.
- Top with crushed candy canes, white chocolate chips, or festive M&Ms for extra crunch or color.
- Bake in a 9x13 pan for thinner bars that feed a crowd.
Instructions
Follow these simple steps to create the best sugar cookie bars with a soft, chewy base and a festive layer of creamy frosting.
Cookie Layer
Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out easily.
Step 2: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
Step 3: Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until smooth.
Step 4: Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
Step 5: Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely.
Frosting & Decoration
Step 1: In a medium bowl, beat the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until fluffy.
Step 2: Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base using an offset spatula.
Step 3: Add sprinkles while the frosting is still soft. Slice into squares and enjoy.
Tips For the Best Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
A few simple tips make these bars turn out soft and festive every time.
- Use room temperature butter and eggs for the best texture and easy mixing.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper to lift the cooled bars out in one piece.
- Make sure the cookie base is completely cool before you add the frosting, so the frosting doesn't melt off.
- Don't overbake. The center should look slightly soft. The bars firm up as they cool, which keeps them tender.
Storage
These bars store perfectly during the busy holiday season.
- Leftovers: Keep them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for up to 1 week.
- Freezer: If you want to prep ahead, freeze the unfrosted cookie layer for up to 3 months, then thaw and frost when you're ready to serve.
FAQ
Yes. Use a 9x13 pan and bake for an extra 5 to 7 minutes. They should look lightly golden around the edges.
The edges should be lightly golden and the center should look slightly underbaked. This helps the bars stay soft.
Absolutely. The buttercream sets nicely and the sprinkles stay in place, making them perfect for parties.
They do. Cut the bars, layer them between parchment sheets, and keep them cold during transport for the cleanest slices.
More Recipes You'll Love!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Cookie base
- ½ cup butter
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoon brown sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 egg yolk
- ¼ teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 3 tablespoon cornstarch
- ¼ teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 4 tablespoon unsalted butter softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoon heavy cream
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
Cookie Layer
- Preheat your oven to 350°F. Line an 8x8 inch baking pan with parchment paper so the bars lift out easily.
- In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until smooth.
- Add the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stir until a soft dough forms.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely.
Frosting & Decoration
- In a medium bowl, beat the powdered sugar, softened butter, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until fluffy.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base using an offset spatula.
- Add sprinkles while the frosting is still soft. Slice into squares and enjoy.
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