Description
Festive Christmas sugar cookie bars blend classic holiday cheer with irresistible sweetness. Crisp edges, chewy center, and festive sprinkles make these bars a delightful treat you’ll crave all season long.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
Sugar and Sweeteners:
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 cup powdered sugar
Binding and Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 3 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Frosting Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons butter (salted or unsalted, softened)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
Decorative Ingredient:
- Christmas sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the oven to 350°F and line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper, ensuring overhanging edges for effortless removal.
- Cream butter with granulated and brown sugars until the mixture transforms into a light, airy consistency with a cloud-like texture.
- Incorporate egg, vanilla, and almond extracts, blending until the aromatic mixture becomes smooth and uniform.
- Gently fold in flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt, mixing minimally to prevent toughening the dough. The consistency should remain thick and compact.
- Distribute the dough evenly across the prepared pan, using a spoon or floured hands to press into each corner. Ensure uniform thickness throughout.
- Bake for approximately 15 minutes, allowing the center to remain slightly soft as it will continue setting during cooling.
- Create the frosting by whipping softened butter with powdered sugar, then introducing heavy cream and vanilla extract until achieving a light, pillowy texture.
- Once the cookie base has completely cooled, generously spread the frosting across the surface.
- Embellish with festive Christmas sprinkles, then slice into delectable bars. Optional: Refrigerate for 10-15 minutes to firm the frosting for cleaner cutting.
Notes
- Customize the extracts by swapping almond for peppermint or orange to create unique holiday flavor profiles that match your personal taste preferences.
- Ensure butter is at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture, preventing dense or uneven cookie bars.
- Use quality sprinkles with vibrant colors that won’t bleed or fade when decorating to maintain a festive, picture-perfect presentation.
- Store cooled bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, or freeze unfrosted bars for longer preservation without compromising taste and texture.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts, Snacks
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 202
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 65 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1.5 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg