• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Easter
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe

Bake It With Love

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
    • Breakfast
    • Side Dishes
    • Desserts
  • Dinners
  • Easter
  • About
    • Contact Us
  • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
      • Breakfast
      • Side Dishes
      • Desserts
    • Dinners
    • Easter
    • About
      • Contact Us
    • Subscribe
  • Join Us!

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Home » Recipes » Christmas Cookies & Desserts

    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com · Leave a Comment

    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

    Jump to Recipe
    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars recipe pin with two images of the tasty cookie bars and text title.

    These Christmas sugar cookie bars have all the flavor of your favorite sugar cookies but in the form of a 9x13 dessert bar! The ultra-soft sugar cookie dough is baked until fluffy and just slightly golden. They are then topped off with a super simple vanilla buttercream frosting and colorful Christmas sprinkles!

    Holiday Sugar Cookie Dessert Bars

    If you need a sweet treat for a large group of people this holiday season, these Christmas sugar cookie bars are a perfect choice! I make these charming dessert bars every year and they always disappear in a flash.

    You can't go wrong with the classic flavor of frosted vanilla sugar cookies around Christmastime, or any time of year really. Not to mention, the soft and chewy texture of these vanilla dessert bars is always a hit with kids and adults alike!

    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars to slice and serve with festive holiday sprinkles on a tasty vanilla buttercream frosting.
    These easy 9x13 Christmas dessert bars are perfect for any holiday gathering or celebration!
    Jump to:
    • Holiday Sugar Cookie Dessert Bars
    • 🥘 Ingredients For Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
    • 🔪 How To Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
    • 💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes
    • 🥡 Storing
    • ❓ FAQ
    • 😋 More Dessert Bar Recipes
    • 📋 Recipe

    If baking gets you in the Christmas spirit, be sure to check out all of my holiday baking recipes! There are cookies, cakes, pies, fudge, candy, and so much more to try!

    🥘 Ingredients For Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

    If you bake, even semi-frequently, you might already have all of these ingredients at home. You can certainly experiment with different flavors of frosting and different sprinkles or toppings!

    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars recipe ingredients measured out and ready to mix, bake, and decorate.

    Sugar Cookie Bars

    • Butter - 1 cup of butter (softened at room temperature).
    • Sugar - 1 cup of granulated white sugar.
    • Eggs - 2 large room-temperature eggs.
    • Vanilla Extract - 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract. For the best flavor, use pure vanilla.
    • Almond Extract (optional) - ½ teaspoon of almond extract.
    • Baking Powder - 1 teaspoon of baking powder.
    • Cornstarch - 1 tablespoon of cornstarch.
    • All-Purpose Flour - 2¼ cups of all-purpose flour.

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    • Butter - ½ cup butter (softened at room temperature).
    • Vanilla Extract - 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract (pure vanilla for the best flavor).
    • Heavy Cream - ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream.
    • Confectioners Sugar - 2¼ cups of confectioner's sugar, also known as powdered sugar.
    • Christmas Sprinkles (optional) - Your favorite Christmas sprinkles!

    *Be sure to see the free printable recipe card below for ingredients, exact amounts & instructions with tips!*

    🔪 How To Make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

    Both the sugar cookie bars and homemade buttercream frosting are pretty easy to make. You will need measuring utensils, a 9x13 baking pan, parchment paper, a mixing bowl, and a silicone spatula.

    One 9x13 pan will make about 16 bars, though you can easily cut them smaller or larger.

    Sugar Cookie Bars

    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 1 add the softened butter and sugar.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 2 add egg to creamed butter and sugar.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 3 mix until well combined.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 4 add vanilla and almond extract.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 5 add all-purpose flour.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 6 mix until combined again.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 7 transfer into baking dish.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 8 bake until set.
    1. Prep. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13 light metal rectangular baking pan with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
    2. Cream butter and sugar. In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of sugar until fluffy and smooth.
    3. Add liquid ingredients. Beat in 2 large room-temperature eggs, 1 at a time, making sure to scrape up the sides of the bowl as needed to fully incorporate all of the ingredients. Then, mix in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract and ½ a teaspoon of almond extract (or citrus zest) if using.
    4. Mix in dry ingredients. Mix in 1 teaspoon of baking powder, 1 tablespoon of cornstarch, and 2 ¼ cups of flour (on low speed if using a mixer), just until combined. Be careful not to over-mix. Then, transfer the batter to your prepared baking pan.
    5. Bake and cool. Place the pan on the center of the middle rack in your oven and bake for 14-16 minutes or just until the batter has fluffed up and ever-so-slightly darkened. It will still be very pale and underdone, this is ideal because it will continue to cook as it cools. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely before frosting.

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 9 add butter and vanilla extract.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 10 mix to combine.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 11 add cream and confectioners' sugar.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 12 mix until thick and fluffy.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 13 spread over baked cookie bars and add festive sprinkles.
    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars process photo 14 once assembled your cookie bars are ready to slice and serve.
    1. Cream butter and vanilla. Once the sugar cookie bars have fully cooled, cream together ½ a cup of butter and 2 teaspoons of vanilla for the frosting until thoroughly combined.
    2. Mix in cream and sugar. Alternate adding small amounts of the ¼ cup of whipping cream and 2¼ cups of confectioner's sugar, mixing between each addition. Continue adding and mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
    3. Frost. Spread the frosting in an even layer over the cooled bars. Top with your favorite Christmas sprinkles, slice into squares, and serve!

    These Christmas sugar cookie bars are one of my all-time favorite easy Christmas desserts. They make a welcome addition to any holiday party dessert spread and you can even customize the color of the sprinkles for other occasions! Enjoy!

    💭 Angela's Tips & Recipe Notes

    • 1 cup of butter is the equivalent of 2 sticks. 
    • The addition of almond extract is completely optional. The combination of almond and vanilla extracts lends baked goods a 'right out of the bakery' flavor. You could also swap the almond extract for ½ a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to add some bright citrus flavor.
    • In place of sprinkles, you could top these bars with crushed candy cans, nuts, dried cranberries, or mini M&Ms!
    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars to bake for the holiday season, stacked on a festive tree shaped serving platter.

    🥡 Storing

    Once cooled, cut your sugar cookie bars into squares and place them in an airtight container. Use parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They will last at room temperature for 3-4 days.

    Freezing Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

    Place cookie bars in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag (they can be frosted or you can wait to frost them when they thaw). Place parchment paper between each layer to keep them from freezing together and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw them out in the fridge overnight or on the counter.

    >>>>See all of my recipes HERE<<<<

    ❓ FAQ

    Can I Make Sugar Cookie Bars Ahead Of Time?

    Sure! You can make these bars 1-2 days in advance and keep them in an airtight container at room temperature until ready to serve. They stay good for up to 4 days, but I recommend only 1-2 for the best flavor.

    What Kind Of Frosting Do I Put On Sugar Cookie Bars?

    I love the flavor of this made-from-scratch vanilla buttercream frosting. However, you can certainly use any flavor you like! My peanut butter buttercream frosting, vanilla bean buttercream frosting, or chocolate buttercream frosting would also be delicious. You can even use canned frosting from the store!

    Can I Freeze Sugar Cookie Bars?

    You certainly can! It's the least messy if you do it before frosting, but the frosting can be frozen too. Double-wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and then foil (or place them in a heavy-duty freezer bag with parchment paper between each bar). Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge overnight or at room temperature if time is a factor.

    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars stacked on light marbled background with festive holiday sprinkles scattered around the trio of cookie bars.

    😋 More Dessert Bar Recipes

    • Pumpkin Streusel Bars - Creamy pumpkin-filled bars with delectably crumbly cinnamon streusel on top!
    • Cherry Pie Bars - All the flavor of a homemade cherry pie in easy-to-eat dessert bars!
    • Chocolate Pecan Pie Bars - A chewy cream cheese pie crust filled with creamy chocolate filling and lots of crunchy pecans!
    • 2 Ingredient Lemon Bars - It literally cannot get any easier than these sweet citrus dessert bars.
    • Apple Cobbler Bars - These apple cobbler bars are even better with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
      Hello Dolly Bars - 7-layer dessert bars with coconut, butterscotch, pecans, sweetened condensed milk, graham crackers, butter, and chocolate!

    Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
    Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!

    📋 Recipe

    Best Christmas sugar cookie bars sliced and stacked with red and green holiday sprinkles.
    Print Recipe Leave A Comment
    Love This Recipe?Click On A Star To Rate It!
    5 from 4 reviews

    Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

    These Christmas sugar cookie bars have all the flavor of your favorite sugar cookies but in the form of a 9x13 dessert bar! The ultra-soft sugar cookie dough is baked until fluffy and just slightly golden. They are then topped off with a super simple vanilla buttercream frosting and colorful Christmas sprinkles!
    Author | Angela
    Servings: 16 servings
    Calories: 358kcal
    Prep 15 minutes
    Cooking 15 minutes
    Cool 1 hour
    Total Time 1 hour 30 minutes
    Pin Recipe Share on Facebook

    Ingredients
     

    Sugar Cookie Bars

    • 1 cup butter (softened at room temperature)
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
    • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
    • ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)
    • 1 teaspoon baking powder
    • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
    • 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    • ½ cup butter (softened at room temperature)
    • 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
    • 2 ¼ cups confectioners sugar
    • Christmas sprinkles (optional)

    Instructions

    Sugar Cookie Bars

    • Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9x13 light metal rectangular baking pan with parchment paper and spray it with non-stick cooking spray.
    • In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until fluffy and smooth.
      1 cup butter, 1 cup sugar
    • Beat in the eggs, 1 at a time, making sure to scrape up the sides of the bowl as needed to fully incorporate all of the ingredients. Then, mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract (or citrus zest) if using.
      2 large eggs, 1 tablespoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon almond extract
    • Mix in the baking powder, cornstarch, and flour (on low speed if using a mixer), just until combined. Be careful not to overmix. Then, transfer the batter to your prepared baking pan.
      1 teaspoon baking powder, 1 tablespoon cornstarch, 2 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
    • Bake for 14-16 minutes or just until the batter has fluffed up and ever-so-slightly darkened. It will still be very pale and underdone, this is ideal because it will continue to cook as it cools. Remove from oven and set aside to cool completely before frosting.

    Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

    • Once the sugar cookie bars have cooled, cream together the butter and vanilla for the frosting until thoroughly combined.
      ½ cup butter, 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Alternate adding portions of the whipping cream and confectioner's sugar, mixing between each addition. Continue adding and mixing until the frosting becomes light and fluffy.
      ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, 2 ¼ cups confectioners sugar
    • Spread the frosting in an even layer over the cooled bars. Top with your favorite Christmas sprinkles, slice into squares, and serve!
      Christmas sprinkles

    Equipment You May Need

    9x13 baking pan
    Silicone Spatula Set
    Measuring Spoons

    Notes

    • 1 cup of butter is the equivalent of 2 sticks. 
    • The addition of almond extract  is completely optional. The combination of almond and vanilla extracts lends baked goods a 'right out of the bakery' flavor. You could also swap the almond extract for ½ a teaspoon of lemon or orange zest to add some bright citrus flavor.
    • In place of sprinkles, you could top these bars with crushed candy cans, nuts, dried cranberries, or mini M&Ms!
    • To store: Once cooled, cut your sugar cookie bars into squares and place them in an airtight container. Use parchment paper between layers to keep them from sticking together. They will last at room temperature for 3-4 days.
    • To freeze: Place cookie bars in an airtight container or heavy-duty freezer bag (they can be frosted or you can wait to frost them when they thaw). Place parchment paper between each layer to keep them from freezing together and freeze for up to 1 month. Thaw them out in the fridge overnight or on the counter.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 358kcal (18%) | Carbohydrates: 44g (15%) | Protein: 3g (6%) | Fat: 19g (29%) | Saturated Fat: 12g (75%) | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 5g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 73mg (24%) | Sodium: 148mg (6%) | Potassium: 64mg (2%) | Fiber: 0.5g (2%) | Sugar: 29g (32%) | Vitamin A: 620IU (12%) | Vitamin C: 0.02mg | Calcium: 25mg (3%) | Iron: 1mg (6%)
    Did you try this recipe? Rate it below!I can’t wait to see your results! Mention @bake_it_with_love or tag #bake_it_with_love!
    9x13 desserts, best easy christmas desserts, Christmas dessert bars, Christmas desserts, Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, Christmas sugar cookie bars ingredients, how to make Christmas usgar cookie bars, sugar cookie bars
    Course Christmas, Dessert
    Cuisine American
    author profile photo
    Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com

    Angela is an at home chef that developed a passion for all things cooking and baking at a young age in her Grandma's kitchen. After many years in the food service industry, she now enjoys sharing all of her family favorite recipes and creating tasty dinner and amazing dessert recipes here at Bake It With Love!

    bakeitwithlove.com/about/
    « Honey Baked Ham
    Leftover Prime Rib Pot Pie »

    Share This Recipe!

    • Share
    • Twitter
    • Yummly
    • Print

    Reader Interactions

    Thanks for coming! Let me know what you think: Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
    Author bio photo with cake.

    Hi there, I'm Angela! I am an avid vintage cookbook collector, recipe creator, animal lover, and total foodie. I love sharing recipes that are new, fun, and creative as well as great classic recipes just like my Grandma used to make!

    More about me →

    Easter Recipes

    • Bunny Butt Cookies
    • Coconut Loaf Cake
    • Easter Lamb Dinner Menu
    • Candied Carrots
    • Easter Desserts
    • Easter Brunch Ideas
    • Easter Lunch Ideas
    • Traditional Easter Dinner Menu

    Dinner Ideas

    • Saturday Night Dinner Ideas
    • Instant Pot Chicken Soup
    • Zucchini Boats With Ground Beef
    • Instant Pot Porketta Roast
    • Slow Cooker Pork Loin
    • Chicken Burrito Bowl
    • Pasta Alla Norma
    • Beef Top Round Roast
    As seen on image block.

    DISCLAIMER: As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases at no added cost to you.

    CroatianCzechDanishDutchEnglishFrenchGermanItalianJapaneseMalayPortugueseRussianSwedishTurkish

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Angela
    • Privacy Policy
    • Work With Me
    • Contact
    • FAQ
    • Home
    • Accessibility Statement

    Recipes

    • Dinners
    • Desserts
    • Side Dishes
    • Breakfasts
    • Appetizers
    • Condiments
    • Air Fryer
    • Slow Cooker
    • Instant Pot

    Read

    • Collections
    • Baking Basics
    • Conversions
    • Food That Starts With
    • Substitutions
    • Food Info
    • Web Stories

    Copyright © 2023 Bake It With Love