These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive twist on classic sugar cookies—soft, buttery, and topped with a luscious vanilla frosting and cheerful holiday sprinkles. Baked in a single pan and cut into neat bars, they’re perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting during the holidays. With their melt-in-your-mouth texture and festive flair, they’re sure to become a seasonal favorite.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

These cookie bars are everything you love about frosted sugar cookies, made even simpler. The dough comes together quickly and bakes into a thick, tender cookie base that stays soft for days. There’s no rolling, cutting, or chilling required—just press the dough into a pan and bake. The creamy vanilla frosting adds a sweet, festive touch, and the red, green, and white sprinkles make them feel like a celebration in every bite.

Ingredients

(Tip: You can find the complete list of ingredients and their measurements in the recipe card below.)

For the sugar cookie base:

all-purpose flour
baking powder
salt
unsalted butter, softened
granulated sugar
large egg
vanilla extract
almond extract (optional)

For the frosting:

unsalted butter, softened
powdered sugar
vanilla extract
milk (as needed for consistency)

Topping:

red, green, and white holiday sprinkles

Directions

Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil, and lightly grease it.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy, about 2–3 minutes.
Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and beat until combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until incorporated.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. Let the cookie base cool completely in the pan.
To make the frosting, beat the butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar and vanilla, mixing well. Add 1–2 tablespoons of milk to reach your desired frosting consistency.
Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base in an even layer.
Decorate generously with red, green, and white sprinkles.
Slice into 24 bars and serve or store for later.

Servings and timing

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Baking Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Servings: 24 bars
Calories: Approximately 230 kcal per bar

Variations

Colorful Frosting: Add a few drops of food coloring to the frosting for extra holiday cheer.
Flavor Twist: Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract or citrus zest to the frosting.
Cream Cheese Frosting: Replace part of the butter with cream cheese for a tangier topping.
Chocolate Drizzle: Add a drizzle of white or dark chocolate over the frosting before adding sprinkles.
Themed Sprinkles: Customize with different sprinkle colors for other holidays or celebrations.

Storage/Reheating

Store the cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. For best texture, allow refrigerated bars to come to room temperature before serving. These bars also freeze well (unfrosted or fully decorated) for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before enjoying.

FAQs

Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?

Yes, they’re perfect for making ahead. Frost and decorate the day before serving for best presentation.

What size pan should I use?

A 9×13-inch pan works best. Using a smaller pan will result in thicker bars and may require a slightly longer bake time.

Do I need to chill the dough?

No chilling is necessary, making this a quick and easy recipe.

Can I use store-bought frosting?

Yes, for convenience, store-bought vanilla frosting can be used, though homemade adds a fresher flavor.

How do I get clean slices?

Use a sharp knife and wipe it clean between cuts for neat, bakery-style bars.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes, double the recipe and bake it in a large sheet pan for a bigger batch.

Can I use all granulated sugar in the frosting?

No, powdered sugar is essential for the smooth, fluffy texture of the frosting.

Can I make this recipe gluten-free?

Yes, substitute with a 1:1 gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, and check that all other ingredients are certified gluten-free.

What if I don’t have almond extract?

You can omit it or replace it with more vanilla extract. Almond extract adds a subtle festive touch but is optional.

Are these good for cookie exchanges?

Absolutely. They’re easy to portion, transport well, and stay soft and fresh for several days.

Conclusion

These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive, crowd-pleasing treat that brings holiday joy with minimal effort. With their soft, buttery texture, sweet vanilla frosting, and colorful sprinkles, they’re as cheerful as they are delicious. Whether you’re baking for a party, a cookie swap, or simply to enjoy the season, these bars are a holiday must-have.

Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

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Soft and buttery sugar cookie bars topped with creamy vanilla frosting and festive red, green, and white sprinkles. These cheerful, easy-to-make treats are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or make-ahead gifting.

Author: Mari
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 22 minutes
Total Time: 37 minutes
Yield: 24 bars 1x
Category: Dessert
Method: Baked
Cuisine: American
Diet: Vegetarian

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt.
In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
Add egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract (if using), and mix until combined.
Gradually mix in the dry ingredients until a soft dough forms.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
Bake for 20–24 minutes, or until the edges are just lightly golden. Allow to cool completely in the pan.
To make the frosting, beat butter until creamy, then gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla extract. Mix in milk one tablespoon at a time until smooth and spreadable.
Spread frosting evenly over the cooled cookie base.
Decorate with red, green, and white holiday sprinkles.
Slice into 24 bars and serve or store in an airtight container.

Notes

Bars can be made up to 2 days ahead and stored at room temperature or refrigerated.
Customize sprinkles for other holidays or occasions.
Chill bars slightly before slicing for cleaner cuts.

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 230
Sugar: 20g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 12g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 30g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg