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The Ultimate Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream Frosting

Close-up of a single serving of christmas sugar cookie bars with thick white frosting and red and green sprinkles.
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Make soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookie bars that taste like classic cut-out cookies but require less time. This one-pan recipe is a simple, festive treat perfect for holiday gatherings and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract (optional, for classic flavor)
  • 1/2 cup festive sprinkles (for dough)
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–4 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • Extra festive sprinkles (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of softened butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This step builds the texture.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla extract and almond extract, if using.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Do not overmix.
  5. Fold in the 1/2 cup of festive sprinkles into the dough.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs attached. The bars should still look slightly pale in the center for a soft texture.
  8. Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack. This cooling time is crucial before frosting.
  9. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the 1 cup of softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the sifted powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
  10. Add the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  11. Once the bars are completely cool, spread the vanilla buttercream frosting evenly over the top.
  12. Immediately decorate with extra festive sprinkles before the frosting sets.
  13. Once frosted, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block of bars from the pan. Cut into squares for serving.

Notes

  • For the softest texture, avoid overbaking. The bars should be slightly underdone when you remove them, as they continue to set while cooling.
  • If you want a glaze instead of buttercream, mix 2 cups powdered sugar with 3-4 tablespoons of milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over cooled bars.
  • To achieve a true cut-out cookie flavor, the small amount of almond extract is recommended.

Nutrition

Find it online: https://dishicious.com/christmas-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/