Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, colorful, and perfect for holiday baking when you want an easy recipe that still looks festive and homemade. With a chewy sugar cookie bar base, creamy vanilla frosting, and bright Christmas sprinkles, this quick dessert is one of the best Christmas food ideas for cookie exchanges, holiday parties, bake sales, and simple family dessert nights.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup granulated sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup red and green chocolate candies
1/3 cup holiday sprinkles, plus more for topping
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, for frosting
2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for frosting
2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 pinch salt, for frosting
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until creamy and fluffy.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract and almond extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix on low until a soft dough forms.
6. Fold in the red and green candies and holiday sprinkles.
7. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
8. Bake for 22 to 26 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
9. Cool completely before frosting.
10. Beat the frosting butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, cream or milk, and salt until fluffy.
11. Spread frosting over the cooled cookie bars and top with extra sprinkles.
12. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Do not frost the bars while they are warm. Even a little leftover heat can melt the frosting and make the top look messy, so let the cookie base cool completely before decorating.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 25g
- Sodium: 105mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg
Keywords: Christmas cookie bars, holiday dessert, easy dessert recipe, Christmas baking, sugar cookie bars, festive dessert bars