These Christmas sugar cookie bars are pure comfort in dessert form. They have that soft, sweet, buttery bite people love in a classic cookie, but without the fuss of rolling, chilling, and cutting out dozens of shapes. So, if you want a holiday treat that feels warm, festive, and easy to share, this one is hard to beat.
The base comes together with 1 cup unsalted butter, 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar, 2 large eggs, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 4 cups all-purpose flour, 1/2 tsp baking soda, 1/2 tsp baking powder, and 1/2 tsp salt. Then the frosting adds 1/2 cup unsalted butter, 3 cups powdered sugar, 2-3 tbsp milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and cheerful red and green holiday sprinkles. As a result, you get a soft, tender bar with a sweet vanilla flavor, a creamy top, and a merry finish that tastes like the holidays.
Best of all, this recipe is simple from start to finish. In about 20 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of bake time, you can have a full pan of bars ready, plus cooling time for the frosting. You just cream the butter and sugar, mix in the eggs and vanilla, add the dry ingredients, press the dough into a pan, bake until just set, and finish with frosting and sprinkles. Since the recipe makes 24 bars, it is easy to serve a crowd or save a few for later.
These Christmas sugar cookie bars are wonderful for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, classroom treats, and family get-togethers. In addition, they are a great choice for chilly nights when you want something sweet with a cup of coffee, tea, or hot cocoa. They also travel well, which makes them a smart dessert for potlucks, office gatherings, and neighbor gifts.
Why You’ll Love This Best Ever Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- Quick to make: You get the cozy flavor of sugar cookies without shaping each one by hand.
- Simple ingredients: Most of the items are pantry basics, so shopping is easy.
- Great for sharing: The recipe makes 24 bars, which is perfect for a crowd.
- Festive and fun: The red and green sprinkles make them look holiday-ready with very little effort.
- Soft and buttery: The bars stay tender, while the frosting adds a smooth, sweet finish.
Butter Tips
For the best Christmas sugar cookie bars, use unsalted butter that is soft enough to press gently with your finger, but not greasy or melted. Also, make sure the butter for both the bars and the frosting is at room temperature before you begin. That way, it creams smoothly with the sugar and helps the bars bake up with a soft, even texture. If your butter is too cold, the dough can feel stiff. If it is too warm, the bars may spread too much and lose their shape.
Options for Substitutions
- Use salted butter if that is what you have, but reduce the added salt a little.
- Swap whole milk in the frosting for 2% milk, oat milk, or almond milk.
- Replace vanilla extract with almond extract for a stronger bakery-style flavor, but use less since it is more intense.
- Use gluten-free all-purpose flour if you need a gluten-free option, as long as it includes xanthan gum.
- Add holiday-colored nonpareils or sanding sugar instead of red and green sprinkles.
- For a lighter frosting, mix in a bit more milk and use slightly less powdered sugar.
Watch Out for These Mistakes
First, do not overbake the bars. Since they continue to set as they cool, you want the edges to be lightly golden and the center just set. If you wait until the whole top looks deeply browned, the bars can turn dry. So, start checking near the 18-minute mark.
Next, do not frost the bars while they are warm. The frosting will soften too much and may slide off or melt into the top. Therefore, let the bars cool completely in the pan before you spread on the frosting. This step helps the frosting stay smooth and neat.
Also, be careful not to add too much flour. When flour is packed into a measuring cup, the dough can become dense and dry. For better results, spoon the flour into your cup and level it off. Then mix just until the dough comes together. If you overmix, the bars may turn tough instead of soft.
Finally, do not rush the frosting texture. If it is too thick, add milk a little at a time. If it is too thin, beat in a bit more powdered sugar. The goal is a smooth, spreadable frosting that glides over the bars without tearing the surface.
What to Serve With Best Ever Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars?
These bars pair nicely with simple holiday drinks and light sides. For example, a mug of hot cocoa, peppermint tea, or coffee brings out the sweet vanilla flavor. In addition, a bowl of fresh fruit such as strawberries or clementines adds a fresh note next to the rich frosting. If you are serving a dessert tray, you can also place them beside brownies, fudge, or shortbread for a pretty and balanced holiday spread.
Storage Instructions
Store: Keep the bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days. If you want them to last longer, refrigerate them for up to 1 week.
Freeze: Freeze unfrosted or frosted bars in a single layer, then move them to a freezer-safe container with parchment between layers. They keep well for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving.
Reheat: For a soft, fresh-from-the-oven feel, warm a bar in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. If you prefer the stovetop-style warming method for plated dessert service, place a bar in a covered skillet on very low heat for just a minute or two, but only do this if you are warming it without frosting. For frosted bars, the microwave is the better choice because it is gentler and more controlled.
Recipe Info
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour, including cooling
Level of Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 24 bars
Estimated Nutrition
Estimated nutrition for the whole recipe (without optional ingredients):
Calories: about 4,400 to 4,900
Protein: about 40 to 50 grams
Fat: about 210 to 240 grams
Carbohydrates: about 600 to 680 grams
Ingredients
- For the bars: 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the bars: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- For the bars: 2 large eggs
- For the bars: 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- For the bars: 4 cups all-purpose flour
- For the bars: 1/2 tsp baking soda
- For the bars: 1/2 tsp baking powder
- For the bars: 1/2 tsp salt
- For the frosting: 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- For the frosting: 3 cups powdered sugar
- For the frosting: 2-3 tbsp milk
- For the frosting: 1 tsp vanilla extract
- For the frosting: red and green holiday sprinkles
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prep the Pan and Oven
Start by preheating your oven to 350°F. Then line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper. This makes the bars easier to lift out later, and it also helps with clean cutting once the frosting is on top.
Step 2: Make the Dough
In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until the mixture looks light and fluffy. This usually takes about 2 minutes. Next, beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until the mixture is smooth. After that, you will be ready for the dry ingredients.
Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Then gradually add that mixture to the butter mixture. Mix just until a soft dough forms. At this point, the dough should hold together well, but it should still feel soft and easy to press.
Step 4: Press and Bake
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared pan and press it into the corners so the layer stays even. Then bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. A toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs. Once baked, let the bars cool completely in the pan for about 30 minutes before frosting.
Step 5: Make the Frosting and Finish
While the bars cool, beat the softened butter until creamy. Gradually add the powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract, and keep mixing until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Once the bars are fully cool, spread the frosting evenly over the top. Then finish with red and green sprinkles, cut the pan into 24 squares, and serve.
Conclusion
These Best Ever Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, sweet, festive, and easy to make. They bring together a buttery cookie base, a smooth vanilla frosting, and cheerful holiday sprinkles in one simple pan dessert. Since they are quick to prepare and easy to share, they are a smart choice for busy holiday baking.
If you try this recipe, I would love for you to make it part of your holiday tradition. Share your thoughts, tell a friend, or explore more cozy dessert recipes on the blog for your next family gathering.
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Best Ever Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 60 minutes
- Yield: 24 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These festive sugar cookie bars are soft, sweet, and easy to make, bringing the holiday spirit in every bite with creamy frosting and sprinkles.
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tbsp vanilla extract
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar
- 2–3 tbsp milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- Red and green holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prep the pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
- Make the dough: In a large bowl, cream the softened butter and granulated sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and vanilla extract until smooth.
- Add the dry ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add to the butter mixture and mix until a soft dough forms.
- Press and bake: Spread dough evenly into the prepared pan and press down. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes, or until edges are golden and center is set. Let cool for about 30 minutes.
- Make the frosting and finish: Beat the softened butter until creamy, add powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla, mixing until smooth. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, top with sprinkles, cut into 24 squares, and serve.
Notes
Let the bars cool completely before frosting to ensure a neat finish.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 180mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 30mg
