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Easy Festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars – Soft, Buttery & Merry!

If you love sugar cookies but don’t want to spend hours cutting shapes, these Easy Festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are your new holiday favorite! They’re soft, buttery, and perfectly sweet with a rich vanilla flavor and colorful Christmas sprinkles baked right in. These cookie bars are a holiday lifesaver — no rolling pins, no cookie cutters, just a simple dough pressed into a pan. The texture is thick and chewy, like the best sugar cookie ever, and the frosting layer makes them extra festive and delicious. They’re perfect for Christmas parties, bake sales, or cookie trays — bright, cheery, and loved by both kids and adults alike.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 15 minutes
bake & Frosting & Cooling time 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 5 minutes
Servings: 16 bars
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Fresh Products
  • 1 Large egg
Dry & Flavoring Ingredients
  • 1 1/4 cups All-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp Baking powder
  • 1 tbsp Cornstarch
  • 1/4 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 cup Granulated sugar
  • 2 tbsp Brown sugar
  • 1/4 tsp Almond extract
  • 2 tsp Vanilla extract
  • 1 cup Powdered sugar for frosting
  • 1 Christmas sprinkles for decoration
Dairy
  • 1/2 cup Unsalted butter softened (for cookie base)
  • 4 tbsp Butter softened (for frosting)
  • 3 tbsp Heavy cream

✨ Kitchen Essentials You’ll Love

Quick picks I trust for better results, faster prep, and easier cleanup.

  • 🍳

    Lodge Seasoned Cast Iron Skillet

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  • ⚡

    Instant Pot Duo Plus 9-in-1 Electric

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  • 🔥

    CHEFMAN Digital Air Fryer XL 10L

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Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Equipment

  • You’ll need:
  • 8x8 or 9x9 inch baking pan
  • Mixing bowls (large and medium)
  • Hand or stand mixer
  • Rubber spatula
  • Measuring cups and spoons
  • Cooling rack

Method
 

step1:
  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking pan with parchment paper, leaving a bit of overhang for easy lifting.
step2:
  1. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Set aside.
step3:
  1. In a large bowl, cream together the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy — about 2 minutes.
step4:
  1. Add the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. Mix until smooth and creamy.
step5:
  1. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, mixing just until combined. The dough should be thick and soft.
step6:
  1. Fold in the Christmas sprinkles gently to distribute them evenly.
step7:
  1. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Smooth the top with a spatula.
step8:
  1. Bake for 18–22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Don’t overbake — the bars should stay soft!
step9:
  1. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
step10:
  1. To make the frosting, beat together 4 tbsp butter, powdered sugar, heavy cream, and 1 tsp vanilla extract until smooth and fluffy. Spread evenly over cooled bars and top with more Christmas sprinkles.
step11:
  1. Cut into squares or rectangles and enjoy the holiday magic!

Notes

🧊 Storage & Reheating
Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 days.
Refrigerate for up to 1 week for best freshness.
Freeze for up to 2 months (without frosting). Thaw and frost before serving.
🥄 Variations
Peppermint Twist: Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract to the frosting and top with crushed candy canes.
Red Velvet Version: Add a few drops of red gel food coloring to the dough for a Christmas-red effect.
Funfetti Bars: Use rainbow sprinkles for year-round celebrations.
Sugar Cookie Sandwiches: Cut bars in half and layer with frosting for extra indulgence.
Glazed Finish: Skip frosting and drizzle with simple powdered sugar glaze instead.
❓ 10 FAQs
1. Can I double the recipe?
Yes — bake in a 9x13 inch pan and add 3–5 minutes to baking time.
2. Can I use salted butter?
Yes, but skip the added 1/4 tsp salt.
3. Can I make them gluten-free?
Use a 1:1 gluten-free flour blend for great results.
4. Why add cornstarch?
It makes the bars extra soft and chewy.
5. Can I color the frosting?
Yes! Add red or green gel coloring for a festive touch.
6. Can I skip almond extract?
Yes — replace with more vanilla if preferred.
7. Can I use store-bought frosting?
Of course! Homemade just adds a fresher flavor.
8. How do I make them thicker?
Use a smaller pan (8x8) or chill dough for 10 minutes before baking.
9. Can I bake these ahead of time?
Yes — bake, cool, and frost the next day.
10. How do I keep the bars soft?
Do not overbake and store in an airtight container.
🏁 Conclusion
These Easy Festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the perfect way to enjoy sugar cookies without the hassle. Buttery, soft, and topped with creamy frosting and sprinkles, they’re the ultimate holiday treat — fun, colorful, and irresistibly delicious.
Serve them at Christmas gatherings, wrap them as edible gifts, or enjoy them with a cup of hot cocoa — they’ll bring cheer to every bite!