These soft and chewy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive treat perfect for the holiday season. With a buttery, vanilla-almond flavor and a sprinkle of colorful decorations, they make a great addition to any Christmas dessert table. Whether serving them at a holiday party or gifting them to loved ones, these bars are sure to bring joy and sweetness to the celebration.
Ingredients
(Tip: You'll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
¼ cup rainbow sprinkles (optional, for topping)
Directions
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar together using an electric mixer until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes.
Beat in the egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture and mix until just combined.
Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish.
If desired, sprinkle rainbow sprinkles on top of the dough.
Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
Let the bars cool completely in the pan before slicing into squares.
Servings and Timing
Servings: 16 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cooking Time: 25 minutes
Total Time: 35 minutes
Calories per serving: 150 kcal
Variations
Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars: Spread a layer of vanilla or cream cheese frosting over the cooled bars before adding sprinkles.
Chocolate Chip Version: Mix in ½ cup of white or milk chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
Holiday-Themed Sprinkles: Swap the rainbow sprinkles for red and green sprinkles for a more festive touch.
Gluten-Free Option: Substitute the all-purpose flour with a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
Citrus Twist: Add 1 teaspoon of orange or lemon zest for a hint of citrus flavor.
Storage and Reheating
Room Temperature: Store the bars in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
Refrigerator: Keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week.
Freezer: Wrap individual bars in plastic wrap and store them in a freezer-safe bag for up to 3 months. Let them thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating: If I want to enjoy them warm, I microwave a bar for about 10 seconds.
FAQs
How do I know when the sugar cookie bars are done baking?
The edges should be lightly golden, and a toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean. Be careful not to overbake, as that can make the bars dry.
Can I make these cookie bars ahead of time?
Yes! I like to bake them a day in advance and store them in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Can I add frosting to these bars?
Absolutely! A simple buttercream or cream cheese frosting makes them even more delicious.
What can I use instead of almond extract?
If I prefer a nut-free version, I replace the almond extract with extra vanilla extract or use a little coconut or maple extract for a twist.
Can I double the recipe?
Yes! If I need more bars, I double the ingredients and bake them in a larger pan, adjusting the baking time as needed.
Conclusion
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are a delightful, easy-to-make holiday treat that’s perfect for sharing. Whether I keep them simple with sprinkles or add frosting for an extra layer of sweetness, they always bring festive cheer. I love how versatile and delicious they are, making them a go-to dessert for the holiday season.
Recipe:
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 16 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and bursting with buttery vanilla-almond flavor. Topped with festive sprinkles, they’re a perfect holiday dessert for parties, gift-giving, or cozy nights in. No rolling or cutting required—just bake, slice, and enjoy!
Ingredients
2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
½ teaspoon almond extract
¼ cup rainbow sprinkles (optional, for topping)
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease or line a 9x13-inch baking dish with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar with an electric mixer until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes).
- Beat in egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract until well combined.
- Gradually add dry ingredients to wet mixture, mixing until just combined.
- Press dough evenly into prepared baking dish.
- Sprinkle rainbow sprinkles on top, if desired.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
- Let bars cool completely before slicing into squares.
Notes
For extra flavor, add 1 teaspoon of citrus zest (orange or lemon).
For a frosted version, spread vanilla or cream cheese frosting once cooled.
Gluten-free option: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking blend.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 16 bars
- Calories: 150 kcal
