These Christmas Cookie Bars are the perfect festive treat to bring a little extra cheer to your holiday season. Soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet, these bars combine the classic flavors of sugar cookies with the ease of a bar dessert. The dough comes together quickly and bakes into a tender, golden base that’s sturdy enough to hold a generous layer of creamy frosting. Topped with vibrant Christmas sprinkles, these bars are as fun to make as they are to eat. Whether you’re baking for a holiday party, a cookie exchange, or just a cozy night in, these cookie bars are sure to impress.
The rich vanilla frosting adds just the right touch of sweetness, perfectly complementing the melt-in-your-mouth cookie base. Unlike individual cookies, these bars require no rolling or cutting before baking, making them a time-saving option for busy bakers. Once cooled and frosted, they can easily be sliced into neat squares, ready to serve or package up as homemade holiday gifts. Festive, flavorful, and wonderfully simple, these Christmas Cookie Bars are a delicious addition to any seasonal celebration.
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients
Cookie Bars:
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Frosting:
- 1 stick 1/2 cup butter, softened
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup milk or heavy cream
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Topping:
- Your favorite Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare the Pan
- Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line a 9×13 baking pan with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
Make the Cookie Dough
- In a large mixing bowl, cream together the butter, sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla extract until the mixture is pale and fluffy (about 4–5 minutes).
- With the mixer on low, add the eggs one at a time, mixing until just combined.
- Add in the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Mix until the dough comes together, about 2 minutes. Do not overmix, as this can make the bars tough.
Bake the Bars
- Spread the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 pan. (Tip: Spray a piece of plastic wrap with non-stick spray and use it to press the dough into the pan smoothly.)
- Bake for 18–20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Let the bars cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Then remove them and allow them to cool completely on a wire rack.
Prepare the Frosting
- In a mixing bowl, whisk together the butter and powdered sugar until smooth.
- Add the milk (or heavy cream) and vanilla extract and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy.
Assemble the Bars
- Once the bars are completely cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top.
- Decorate with your favorite Christmas sprinkles.
- Serve and Enjoy!
- Slice the bars into squares and serve.