Description
Whip up these soft, chewy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars topped with fluffy frosting and festive sprinkles. A holiday must-try!
Ingredients
Scale
Ingredients for the Cookies:
- 1 1/2 cups butter room temperature
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 4 whole eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 5 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
Ingredients for the Frosting:
- 1 cup butter room temperature
- 5 cups powdered sugar
- 1 dash kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 3–4 Tablespoons heavy cream
- food coloring optional
- sprinkles optional
Instructions
- Prep your pan and oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F and line your baking sheet with parchment paper or spray it with nonstick spray. Trust me, you don’t want these sticking to the pan.
- Mix the dry ingredients: In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking powder. This step ensures even distribution of the leavening agent.
- Cream the butter and sugar: In a large bowl, use your mixer to cream the butter and sugar for 2-3 minutes. It should look light and fluffy—that’s how you know air has been incorporated, which helps the cookies stay soft.
- Add the eggs and extracts: Mix in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla and almond extracts. The dough might look a little curdled at this point, but don’t worry—it’ll come together when you add the dry ingredients.
- Combine wet and dry ingredients: Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing on low until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, or the bars might end up tough.
- Press into the pan: Transfer the dough to your prepared pan and use a floured rolling pin to smooth it out evenly. It’s soft, so this step is surprisingly satisfying!
- Bake and cool: Bake for 15-20 minutes, keeping an eye on them. The edges should just start to turn golden. Mine are perfect at 18 minutes, but ovens vary. Let the bars cool completely before frosting.
- Make the frosting: While the bars cool, beat the butter for 2-3 minutes until fluffy. Add the powdered sugar, salt, extracts, and 2 tablespoons of cream. Mix on low, then increase speed. Add more cream as needed until the frosting reaches your desired consistency.
- Decorate: Spread the frosting over the cooled bars, tinting it with food coloring if you like. Top with sprinkles for a festive touch!
Notes
Serving and presentation tips
For a holiday party, cut the bars into squares or triangles and arrange them on a festive platter. Garnish with extra sprinkles or a dusting of powdered sugar for that snow-dusted look. Pair them with a few candy canes for an extra Christmassy touch!
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert