Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Creamy Vanilla Frosting
These Christmas sugar cookie bars offer a soft, buttery texture topped with a creamy vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles, providing a quick and delightful holiday treat that’s easier than traditional cut-out cookies.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Cookie Bars
- ¾ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ¼ tsp salt
Frosting
- ½ cup unsalted butter, softened
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1–2 tbsp milk
- Festive Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent sticking.
- Cream Butter and Sugar: In a large bowl, use a mixer to cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Add Egg and Vanilla: Beat in the egg and vanilla extract until fully combined, ensuring a smooth and homogenous batter.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, and salt.
- Mix Dough: Gradually incorporate the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined to form the cookie dough.
- Press Dough in Pan: Evenly press the dough into the prepared 8×8 pan, smoothing the surface with a spatula or your hands for an even layer.
- Bake: Place the pan in the oven and bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
- Cool Completely: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack before frosting.
- Prepare Frosting: Beat together the softened butter, powdered sugar, and 1 to 2 tablespoons of milk until you achieve a smooth, creamy vanilla frosting. Adjust the milk quantity to reach your desired consistency.
- Frost and Decorate: Spread the vanilla frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and sprinkle generously with festive Christmas sprinkles.
- Slice and Serve: Once decorated, slice the bars into squares and serve as a delightful holiday treat.
Notes
- Ensure the cookie bars are completely cooled before frosting to prevent the frosting from melting.
- You can customize the sprinkles to match any holiday theme or occasion.
- For a richer vanilla flavor, consider adding a pinch of vanilla bean powder or extra vanilla extract to the frosting.
- Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or refrigerate for longer freshness.
- These bars can be made a day ahead, making them perfect for busy holiday schedules.