Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

Bring the festive spirit to your holiday gatherings with these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars. Combining the rich flavors of a classic sugar cookie with festive sprinkles, a buttery base, and sweet icing, these bars are the ultimate treat for cookie lovers. They’re easy to make, highly shareable, and perfect for cookie swaps or holiday parties.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

1. Festive and Fun: Loaded with red and green sprinkles, these bars scream Christmas cheer.
2. Time-Saving: No rolling or cutting out dough—just press it into the pan and bake.
3. Customizable: Add your favorite holiday flavors or toppings for a unique twist.
4. Crowd-Pleaser: A perfect addition to dessert trays or holiday gift boxes.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. Cream Butter and Sugars: In a large bowl, use a hand mixer or stand mixer to cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar until light and fluffy (about 2 minutes).
2. Add Eggs and Vanilla: Beat in the eggs one at a time, followed by the vanilla extract. Scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
3. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
4. Fold in Sprinkles: Gently fold in the Christmas sprinkles, ensuring they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.

Step 2: Bake the Cookie Bars

1. Prepare the Pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan and line it with parchment paper for easy removal.
2. Press the Dough: Transfer the dough into the prepared pan and use a spatula or your hands to press it evenly into the pan.
3. Bake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the edges are golden and the center is set. Avoid overbaking to keep the bars soft and chewy.
4. Cool Completely: Allow the cookie bars to cool in the pan for about 15 minutes before transferring them to a wire rack to cool completely.

Step 3: Make the Frosting

1. Cream Butter: In a mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth.
2. Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually mix in the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
3. Add Vanilla and Cream: Stir in the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of cream or milk. Beat the frosting until it reaches a smooth, spreadable consistency. If needed, add an additional tablespoon of cream.
4. Color the Frosting: Divide the frosting into two portions. Tint one portion red and the other green using food coloring, if desired.

Step 4: Assemble and Decorate

1. Frost the Bars: Once the cookie bars are completely cool, spread an even layer of frosting over the top. You can use one color or alternate stripes of red and green for a festive look.
2. Add Sprinkles: Scatter extra Christmas sprinkles over the frosting while it’s still soft to ensure they stick.
3. Cut into Bars: Use a sharp knife to cut the dessert into squares or rectangles. Wipe the knife clean between cuts for neat edges.

Tips for Success

1. Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for a smoother dough and even mixing.
2. Don’t Overmix: Mix the dough until just combined to avoid tough cookie bars.
3. Use Parchment Paper: Makes it easier to lift the bars out of the pan for cutting and serving.
4. Cool Completely: Frosting warm bars can cause the icing to melt and slide off.

Variations

1. Add White Chocolate Chips: Stir in ½ cup of white chocolate chips for extra sweetness.
2. Peppermint Twist: Add ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract to the dough and sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.
3. Nutty Delight: Mix in chopped pecans or walnuts for a crunchy texture.
4. Gluten-Free Version: Substitute a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend for the regular flour.

Serving Suggestions

• Holiday Dessert Tray: Pair with other holiday treats like gingerbread cookies and fudge for a festive platter.
• Gift Boxes: Wrap individual bars in festive cellophane bags for a thoughtful homemade gift.
• With a Hot Drink: Serve alongside a warm mug of cocoa, coffee, or spiced cider for a cozy treat.

Why These Bars are Perfect for Christmas

These Christmas Cookie Bars are a stress-free way to bring the holiday spirit to your dessert table. They combine the nostalgia of sugar cookies with the convenience of a bar format. Plus, their colorful appearance and delightful flavor will make them the star of any holiday gathering.

Yield: 16

Christmas Cookie Bars Recipe

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Bring the festive spirit to your holiday gatherings with these delightful Christmas Cookie Bars. Combining the rich flavors of a classic sugar cookie with festive sprinkles, a buttery base, and sweet icing, these bars are the ultimate treat for cookie lovers. They’re easy to make, highly shareable, and perfect for cookie swaps or holiday parties.

Prep Time 15 minutes

Cook Time 25 minutes

Total Time 40 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
• ¾ cup light brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ teaspoon baking powder
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ cup red and green holiday sprinkles
• ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• Optional: Powdered sugar for dusting or a drizzle of white chocolate for decoration

Instructions

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1. Preheat and Prepare Pan:

• Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Line an 8x8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it. Set aside.

2. Mix Wet Ingredients:

1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together melted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth.
2. Add the egg and vanilla extract, mixing until fully combined.

3. Combine Dry Ingredients:

1. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture, stirring until just combined.

4. Fold in Mix-Ins:

• Gently fold in the holiday sprinkles, semi-sweet chocolate chips, and white chocolate chips, reserving a few for topping.

5. Spread and Bake:

1. Transfer the dough to the prepared baking pan, spreading it evenly with a spatula.
2. Sprinkle the reserved sprinkles and chocolate chips on top for a festive touch.
3. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with a few moist crumbs.

6. Cool and Serve:

• Allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan before lifting them out using the parchment paper.
• Slice into squares or rectangles and dust with powdered sugar or drizzle melted white chocolate for extra flair.

Notes

Don’t Overbake: Keep an eye on the bars; they should be slightly underbaked in the center for a soft and chewy texture.

Add a Festive Touch: Use holiday-themed sprinkles or swap in mini M&Ms for a pop of color.

Double the Recipe: For larger gatherings, double the ingredients and bake in a 9x13-inch pan. Increase baking time by 5-7 minutes.