Festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe for Sweet Joy

Sweet memories and festive cheer come alive with these delectable Christmas sugar cookie bars that melt in your mouth.

The holiday season sparkles with warmth and joy when these treats emerge from the oven.

Soft, buttery, and perfectly spiced, these bars capture the essence of winter celebrations.

Delicate edges and a tender center make each bite a delightful experience.

Decorated with colorful frosting or sprinkled with festive sugar, they bring smiles to everyone gathered around.

You’ll love how simple ingredients transform into a magical dessert that looks like it took hours to prepare.

These cookie bars are your ticket to spreading holiday happiness one delicious square at a time.

Why Sugar Cookie Bars Are So Popular

• These Christmas sugar cookie bars eliminate the tedious process of rolling and cutting individual cookies, making holiday baking a breeze for busy home bakers.
• Perfect for holiday gatherings, potlucks, and family celebrations, these bars offer a delightful treat that everyone from kids to grandparents will absolutely love.
• Add holiday sprinkles, change frosting colors, or experiment with different extract flavors to make these bars uniquely yours and match any holiday theme or mood.
• With simple ingredients and straightforward instructions, even novice bakers can create a delicious dessert that looks and tastes like a professional bakery creation.

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bar Ingredient List

• Butter: Provides richness and tender texture to the cookie bars.
• Cream Cheese: Adds moisture and creates a soft, tangy foundation.
• Sugar: Sweetens the bars and helps with caramelization.
• Eggs: Bind the ingredients and contribute to the bar's structure.
• Vanilla Extract: Enhances the overall flavor profile.
• Almond Extract: Adds a subtle, complementary nutty flavor.

• All-Purpose Flour: Forms the primary structure of the cookie bars.
• Cornstarch: Helps create a softer, more delicate texture.
• Baking Powder: Provides lift and helps the bars rise slightly.
• Salt: Balances and intensifies the sweet flavors.

• Butter, Cream Cheese: Create a smooth, creamy base for the frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps achieve the right consistency.
• Vanilla Extract: Adds depth to the frosting flavor.
• Salt: Enhances the overall taste of the frosting.

• Holiday Sprinkles: Adds festive color and visual appeal to the bars.

How to Make Sugar Cookie Bars from Scratch

Step 1: Prepare the Oven and Baking Pan

Warm up your oven to 350°F.

Grab a baking pan and line it with parchment paper or foil, then give it a quick spray of cooking oil.

This trick makes removing the bars super easy later.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

Grab a large mixing bowl and combine softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar.

Whip these together using an electric mixer until the mixture becomes light and fluffy.

Take your time – about 2-3 minutes on medium speed will do the trick.

Step 3: Add Flavor Boosters

Splash in vanilla and almond extracts, then crack in the eggs.

Mix everything until well combined.

Don’t worry if the batter looks a bit lumpy from the cream cheese – that’s totally normal!

Step 4: Blend Dry Ingredients

• Flour
• Cornstarch
• Baking powder
• Salt

Slowly fold this dry mixture into the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed.

The dough will be thick but easy to handle.

Step 5: Spread the Dough

Transfer the dough to your prepared pan.

Use greased hands or a silicone spatula to press the dough into an even layer across the pan.

Step 6: Bake to Perfection

Slide the pan into the oven and bake for 22-25 minutes.

The top should look set, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.

Avoid overbaking – you want these bars to stay delightfully soft.

Step 7: Cool Down

Let the bars cool completely in the pan before adding frosting.

This step is crucial for getting that perfect texture.

Step 8: Craft the Frosting

Beat butter and cream cheese until smooth.

Mix in vanilla and salt, then gradually add powdered sugar.

Start with 2 cups and adjust to your preferred sweetness.

Step 9: Decorate with Cheer

Spread the frosting generously over the cooled bars.

Go crazy with holiday sprinkles to add some festive magic!

Step 10: Slice and Serve

Lift the bars out of the pan using the parchment paper.

Slice into squares or rectangles, then watch them disappear!

Helpful Sugar Cookie Bar Tricks

• Watch the bars closely during the last few minutes of baking to maintain a soft, tender texture. Slightly underbaked is better than dry and crumbly.
• Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread frosting evenly, creating a clean, professional-looking surface for decorating.
• Allow butter, cream cheese, and eggs to sit at room temperature for 30-60 minutes before mixing, ensuring smoother blending and better texture.
• Store decorated bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to keep sprinkles intact and prevent sticking.
• Swap all-purpose flour with a gluten-free blend and add an extra tablespoon of cornstarch to maintain the bars' soft, tender consistency.

Storage Tips for Sugar Cookie Bars

• Store frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cover tightly with plastic wrap or lid to prevent drying out and absorbing other food odors.
• Wrap completely cooled, unfrosted bars tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in refrigerator before frosting and serving.
• Place bars in single layer on baking sheet, freeze until firm, then transfer to freezer-safe container. Separate layers with parchment paper. Keep frozen for up to 2 months. Thaw in refrigerator for best texture.
• Warm individual bars in microwave for 10-15 seconds on low power. Alternatively, let bars sit at room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving to soften frosting and restore soft, tender texture.

Best Pairings for Sugar Cookie Bars

• Festive Flavor Companions: Complementary Pairings
• Brew Warm Holiday Chai Tea: Spicy chai tea with cardamom and cinnamon notes perfectly balances the sweet sugar cookie bars, creating a cozy festive experience that enhances the dessert's rich buttercream flavor.
• Serve Alongside Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Creamy peppermint hot chocolate provides a cool, refreshing contrast to the rich, sweet bars while maintaining the holiday spirit with its minty undertones.
• Match with Vanilla Bean Eggnog: Smooth, creamy eggnog with delicate vanilla bean highlights complements the sugar cookie bars' sweetness, offering a traditional Christmas beverage that elevates the dessert's flavor profile.
• Create Sparkling Garnish Pairing: Dust light champagne or prosecco alongside the bars to add a sophisticated, bubbly touch that cuts through the dessert's richness and adds elegant festive flair.

Topping Ideas for Sugar Cookie Bars

• Gluten-Free Festive Bars: Replace wheat flour with almond or gluten-free all-purpose flour blend, ensuring same measurements and texture for celiac or gluten-sensitive bakers.
• Dairy-Free Holiday Delight: Substitute butter with coconut oil, cream cheese with dairy-free cream cheese alternative, and use plant-based milk for compatibility with vegan or lactose-intolerant diets.
• Low-Sugar Christmas Treat: Use monk fruit sweetener or stevia instead of regular sugar, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet flavor profile for health-conscious individuals.
• Nut-Free Seasonal Option: Eliminate almond extract, replace with extra vanilla extract or orange zest, making recipe safe for those with nut allergies while preserving festive taste.

FAQs

• Why use cream cheese in sugar cookie bars?

Cream cheese adds moisture and a subtle tangy flavor, making the bars extra soft and rich compared to traditional sugar cookies.

• Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Yes, simply substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for the best texture and structure.

• How do I prevent my bars from becoming dry?

Avoid overbaking by checking the bars at 22 minutes and removing them when a toothpick comes out with just a few moist crumbs. The bars will continue cooking slightly after removing from the oven.

• What's the purpose of cornstarch in this recipe?

Cornstarch helps create a more tender and delicate texture in the bars, making them softer and more melt-in-your-mouth compared to traditional cookie recipes.