Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

By Lily | Last modified on Dec 21, 2025

Featured in: Desserts

These delightful Christmas sugar cookie bars bring the joyful flavors of the holiday season right to your kitchen. With a buttery cookie base topped by creamy frosting and festive sprinkles, they’re perfect for sharing with family or gifting to friends.

Quick to prepare yet wonderfully indulgent, these bars offer a festive treat that captures the spirit of Christmas in every bite. Ideal for holiday parties, cozy afternoons, or simply enjoying any time you crave a sweet seasonal dessert.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Simple to make with common pantry ingredients and minimal prep time.
A perfect balance of soft cookie texture and creamy frosting for ultimate indulgence.
Customizable with your favorite extracts and sprinkles to suit your holiday style.

Ingredients

Butter (1/2 cup): Provides a rich, creamy base for the cookie dough, essential for tender and flavorful bars.
Granulated Sugar (1/2 cup): Adds sweetness and helps create a slightly crisp texture in the cookie base.
Brown Sugar (2 tbsp): Contributes moisture and a subtle caramel flavor for depth in the cookie layer.
Large Egg (1): Binds the ingredients together while adding moisture and structure to the dough.
Almond Extract (1/4 tsp): Infuses a delicate almond flavor that enhances the holiday spirit in the bars.
Vanilla Extract (2 tsp): Brings warmth and sweetness, complementing the sugars and butter perfectly.
Baking Powder (1/2 tsp): Helps the bars rise slightly, giving them a light and tender texture.
All-Purpose Flour (1 1/4 cups): Forms the base of the cookie structure, providing substance and chewiness.
Cornstarch (1 tbsp): Adds softness and a delicate crumb to the cookie base by lightening the flour’s density.
Salt (1/4 tsp): Balances sweetness and enhances the overall flavor of the bars.
Butter, softened (4 tbsp): Key ingredient for the frosting, creating a creamy and smooth topping.
Vanilla Extract (1 tsp) for frosting: Enhances the sweetness and aroma of the creamy frosting layer.
Heavy Cream (3 tbsp): Whipped into the frosting, it adds lightness and spreadability for perfect coverage.
Powdered Sugar (1 cup): Sweetens and thickens the frosting, giving a smooth texture.
Christmas Sprinkles: Festive decoration that adds colorful charm and a slight crunch to your bars.

Instructions

Preheat Oven and Prepare Pan: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) and line an 8×8 inch baking pan with parchment paper or foil. This step ensures even baking and makes removing the bars easier later.
Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, beat butter with granulated and brown sugars until smooth and creamy. This aerates the mixture, creating a light texture for your cookie bars.
Add Egg and Extracts: Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract thoroughly. These ingredients add moisture and signature holiday flavors to your cookie base.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. This ensures even distribution of leavening agents and prevents clumps.
Mix Dry Ingredients into Wet: Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined to avoid overworking, which can make the bars tough.
Spread Dough and Bake: Evenly spread the cookie dough into your prepared pan and bake for 15 minutes. The center may look slightly underbaked, but it will continue to firm as it cools.
Prepare the Frosting: While the bars bake, whip the softened butter and powdered sugar until combined. Then, add heavy cream and vanilla extract, whipping until light and fluffy for a creamy, spreadable frosting.
Frost Bars and Add Sprinkles: Once cooled slightly, spread the frosting evenly over the bars. Top generously with Christmas sprinkles for festive color and texture. Chill if a firmer frosting is preferred.

You Must Know

Do not fully bake the bars; slight underbaking keeps them soft and chewy as they cool.
Use room temperature butter for both dough and frosting to ensure smooth mixing.
Customize sprinkles or extracts to suit your holiday preferences while keeping the base recipe intact.

Storage Tips

Store the sugar cookie bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to a week. Keep them chilled to maintain frosting firmness.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these bars with a warm cup of hot cocoa or spiced tea for a cozy holiday treat. They also make a wonderful addition to holiday dessert platters or gift boxes.

Professional Tips

For extra flavor, lightly toast the sprinkles in the oven before applying to the frosting.
Substitute almond extract with lemon or orange for a citrus twist.
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water to cut clean bars without cracking the frosting.

FAQs

Can I use all unsalted butter for this recipe?: Yes! If using unsalted butter, add a pinch more salt to balance the sweetness and enhance flavor.
Can I make these bars gluten-free?: Substitute the all-purpose flour with your favorite gluten-free baking blend for a gluten-free version that’s just as delicious.
How long do the bars stay fresh?: Stored properly in an airtight container, these bars remain fresh for up to 3 days at room temperature and up to a week refrigerated.
Can I freeze these sugar cookie bars?: Yes, they freeze well. Wrap tightly and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving.
What can I use instead of cornstarch?: If you don’t have cornstarch, you can substitute with an equal amount of arrowroot powder or potato starch.
Is almond extract necessary?: Almond extract adds a lovely holiday flavor but is optional. You can omit it or replace it with additional vanilla for a milder taste.
Can I add nuts to the cookie base?: Yes, finely chopped nuts such as pecans or walnuts can be folded in for added texture and flavor, enhancing the bars’ richness.