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Soft, chewy sugar cookie bars with red and green sprinkles inside, frosted, and topped with more festive sprinkles—the perfect Christmas treat!
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If you’re looking for a festive and easy Christmas dessert, these frosted sugar cookie bars are just the thing! They’re a convenient alternative to classic cut-out cookies, with no rolling or cutting required.
Perfect for busy holiday schedules, these bars are loaded with red and green sprinkles inside (and on top!) for a cheerful, time-saving treat everyone will love.
Ingredient Notes
Here are the simple ingredients you’ll need for each layer.
Sugar Cookie Dough
- Butter – regular, salted. If you only have unsalted, add a pinch of salt to the dough.
- Sugar – granulated sugar.
- Vanilla – pure vanilla extract.
- Egg – large, whole.
- Flour – all-purpose flour.
- Baking powder – baking powder (not soda).
- Sprinkles – red, green, and white jimmies.
Frosting
- Butter – regular salted, softened.
- Powdered sugar – confectioners’ sugar.
- Vanilla – pure vanilla extract.
- Cream – heavy cream
- Sprinkles – holiday sprinkles.
Supplies
Here’s what you’ll need to make this recipe:
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Stand mixer or hand mixer/bowl
- Measuring cups/spoons
- Angled spatula
Let’s Make Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars
Follow the simple steps below to make these festive sugar cookie bars.
1
PREHEAT THE OVEN.
Preheat oven to 350°F.
2
Prepare the pan.
Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray and then line it with parchment paper. Set it aside.
Tip: we use baking spray to help keep the parchment in place. We also cut the corners of the parchment, which will help it fit better in the pan.
3
Cream butter and sugar.
In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar until well combined.
4
Add egg and vanilla.
Add the vanilla and egg to the butter mixture. Mix until smooth.
5
Incorporate dry ingredients.
Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
6
Fold in sprinkles.
Use a spatula to fold the sprinkles into the dough carefully. Mix just enough to evenly distribute them without over mixing.
7
Press into pan.
Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
8
Bake 14 to 16 minutes.
Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes or until the edges are lightly golden. Let it cool completely.
9
Prepare the frosting.
In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and cream until the frosting forms peaks.
10
frost and decorate.
Spread the frosting over the cooled sugar cookie bars. Don’t forget to add some festive holiday sprinkles.
11
Cut and Serve.
Once the frosting has set, cut the bars into squares, and they are ready to serve!
Tip: to cut even pieces, use a ruler (or measuring tape) to measure the width and length of the cooked bars. Divide the width in inches by 4 and the length by 6. Measure and mark your cut lines on all sides. Use a knife (we like to run under hot water to make clean frosting lines) and line up the cut marks side to side and slice through. Wipe off your knife each time.
These Christmas sugar cookie bars are perfect for holiday parties, family gatherings, or as a festive treat at home. Share them with friends, family, or coworkers to spread some holiday cheer.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- No Rolling or cutting – These sugar cookie bars are a quick and easy alternative to traditional cut-out cookies, saving you time during the busy holiday season.
- Festive and fun – Red and green sprinkles inside and on top make these bars a cheerful addition to any Christmas celebration.
- Soft and chewy – The perfect texture with a melt-in-your-mouth softness that’s sure to be a hit with kids and adults.
- Simple ingredients – Made with everyday pantry staples, this recipe is easy to whip up without needing any special ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are answers to commonly asked questions about making holiday sugar cookie bars.
Can I use a different type of sprinkles?
Yes, you can use any sprinkles you like, but red and green jimmies in the dough create the holiday ‘funfetti’ look.
Can I add food coloring to the dough or frosting?
Absolutely, you can add food coloring to both the dough and frosting! For the dough, mix in a few drops of food coloring before pressing it into the pan. For the frosting, add food coloring to achieve your desired shade before spreading it on the bars.
Can I use unsalted butter instead of salted butter?
Yes, you can use unsalted butter in both the dough and frosting. Just add a pinch of salt to the dough to balance the flavors.
Christmas Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars
Soft, chewy sugar cookie bars with red and green sprinkles inside, frosted, and topped with more festive sprinkles—the perfect Christmas treat!
- Total Time: 1 hour
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Layer
- 1 cup salted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 egg
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp baking powder
- Sprinkles
Frosting
- 3/4 cup salted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 3 tsp vanilla extract
- 3 tbsp heavy cream
- Sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat the oven. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
- Prepare the pan. Spray a 9×13-inch baking pan with baking spray and line it with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Cream the butter and sugar. In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until well combined.
- Add the egg and vanilla. Add the egg and vanilla extract to the butter mixture. Mix until smooth.
- Incorporate the dry ingredients. Gradually add the flour and baking powder to the wet mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Fold in the sprinkles. Gently fold the red and green sprinkles into the dough using a spatula. Be careful not to over mix.
- Press the dough into the pan. Evenly press the dough into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake. Bake in the preheated oven for 14 to 16 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let the bars cool completely.
- Prepare the frosting. In a separate bowl, beat the softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and heavy cream until the frosting forms soft peaks.
- Frost and decorate. Spread the frosting over the cooled sugar cookie bars. Top with additional festive sprinkles.
- Cut and serve. Once the frosting has set, cut the bars into squares and serve! Or store for later.
Notes
- Storage: Store the frosted sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4-5 days. If you need to keep them longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week.
- Freezing: These cookie bars freeze well! Wrap them tightly in plastic wrap and store in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 3 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for a couple of hours.
- Tip for even cutting: For neat, even squares, use a ruler or measuring tape to mark your cut lines. Divide the width by 4 and the length by 6, then use a knife (run it under hot water for clean cuts) to slice through the bars. Wipe off your knife each time.
- Customize with colors: Feel free to add food coloring to both the dough and frosting for a more festive look. Just mix in a few drops of food coloring until you reach your desired color.
- Prep Time: 45 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 261
- Sugar: 23.2 g
- Sodium: 111.1 mg
- Fat: 14.1 g
- Saturated Fat: 8.8 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.8 g
- Protein: 1.6 g
- Cholesterol: 44.4 mg
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