Description
Festive Christmas sugar cookie bars bring holiday cheer with their buttery, sweet layers of pure delight. Crisp edges and rich vanilla flavor make these treats perfect for sharing with family and friends during seasonal celebrations.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 4 ounces (113 grams) cream cheese
- 1 cup (200 grams) white sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cups (281 grams) all-purpose flour
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract, optional
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
- 2 ounces (57 grams) cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2–3 cups (226–340 grams) powdered sugar
- holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the baking environment by heating the oven to 350°F and lining a baking pan with parchment paper, ensuring light greasing for easy removal.
- In a large mixing bowl, thoroughly blend softened butter, cream cheese, and sugar until achieving a light, fluffy consistency using an electric mixer on medium speed for 2-3 minutes.
- Incorporate vanilla and almond extracts into the creamed mixture, then add eggs, mixing until uniformly combined despite potential cream cheese-induced texture variations.
- Separately sift flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt, then gradually fold the dry ingredients into the wet mixture using low-speed mixing to create a thick, manageable dough.
- Transfer the dough into the prepared pan, using greased hands or a silicone spatula to evenly distribute and smooth the surface.
- Bake for 22-25 minutes, monitoring until the top sets and a toothpick inserted centrally emerges clean, avoiding overbaking to maintain a soft texture.
- Allow the baked bars to cool completely within the pan before applying frosting, preventing potential melting or structural compromise.
- Prepare frosting by beating butter and cream cheese until smooth, then blend in vanilla and salt, gradually introducing powdered sugar to achieve desired sweetness and consistency.
- Generously spread the prepared frosting across the cooled bars, embellishing with festive holiday sprinkles for a decorative touch.
- Remove the baked bars from the pan using parchment paper edges, then slice into precise squares or rectangular portions for serving.
Notes
- Choose cream cheese at room temperature to ensure smooth mixing and prevent lumps in the batter.
- Avoid overmixing the dough to keep the bars tender and prevent a tough texture.
- Swap almond extract with additional vanilla for a nut-free version or different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 220
- Sugar: 21 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 30 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 40 mg