Description
These Christmas Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, colorful, and topped with creamy frosting that melts in every bite. They are the perfect easy dessert for holiday parties, Christmas gatherings, cookie exchanges, and festive family nights. If you are searching for easy dessert ideas, holiday treats, quick baking recipes, or fun Christmas food ideas, these cookie bars deliver everything you want in one simple pan recipe. The buttery sugar-cookie base combined with festive sprinkles and smooth cream cheese frosting makes them an irresistible holiday favorite.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1/2 cup red and green Christmas sprinkles
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup Christmas sprinkles for topping
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt in a medium bowl.
3. Beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
5. Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract.
6. Gradually add the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients and mix until combined.
7. Fold the Christmas sprinkles gently into the batter.
8. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared baking pan.
9. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
10. Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting.
11. Beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth.
12. Add powdered sugar gradually, then mix in the heavy cream and vanilla extract until fluffy.
13. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
14. Top with extra Christmas sprinkles.
15. Slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars or they may become dry instead of soft and chewy.
Use jimmies-style sprinkles for the best color and texture during baking.
Chill the frosted bars for 20 minutes before slicing for cleaner cuts and prettier presentation.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 320
- Sugar: 29g
- Sodium: 140mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 9g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 55mg