Amazing 24 christmas sugar cookie bars

Oh, the holidays! They bring so much joy, but let’s be real, the baking pressure can sometimes feel like just another deadline, right? Back when I was deep in corporate burnout, I swore off anything that required rolling pins and cookie cutters in December. That’s why I live for recipes that say, “Hey, let’s get festive without the fuss.” These christmas sugar cookie bars are my absolute go-to solution. They taste exactly like that perfect, buttery, vanilla-spiced cookie you love, but you just press the dough into a pan, bake it, and decorate! It’s baking that brings joy back into the mix, trusting me on this one. For more simple inspiration, you can always check out what’s new on the main Pure Cooking Joy blog.

Why These Are the Best Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars for Holiday Baking

Honestly, if you’re anything like me, the thought of rolling out dozens of little shapes sends a cold sweat down your back in December. Forget that mess! These are the Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars that solve holiday chaos. They give you that amazing, classic sugar cookie taste in a format that’s forgiving and seriously fast. They’re designed for people who want maximum festive impact with minimal kitchen stress. If you want great results for your holiday gatherings without wasting hours, this is your recipe. Check out my favorite tips for easy entertaining when serving these squares!

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Achieving the Perfect Soft Frosted Holiday Cookie Bars Texture

The magic here is the texture. These aren’t hard, crispy edges; these are soft, buttery squares. Because we bake them right in the pan, they stay wonderfully tender all the way through, which gives them that signature melt-in-your-mouth quality. When these christmas sugar cookie bars are loaded up with creamy frosting, they become the absolute dreamiest treat you’ll make all season. They just scream comfort!

Simple Holiday Baking Made Simple: No Chill Time Required

You heard me: no chill time! That’s the best part of any Quick Holiday Cookie Recipe. You mix it, you press it, you bake it—that’s it! This means less waiting around and more time enjoying the season. For a genuinely No Roll Christmas Cookie Dessert solution, these bars deliver that chewy texture we all crave, fast.

Gathering Ingredients for Your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Okay, let’s talk ingredients! The beauty of these christmas sugar cookie bars is that they use pantry staples, meaning you probably have half this list already. We’re sticking to pure vanilla and butter flavor here, making sure that classic sugar cookie taste shines through before we even get to the fun part—the sprinkles! You want high-quality butter because it really impacts the final flavor of these Buttery Christmas Dessert Squares. I’ve broken down what you need for the cookie base and what’s coming together for that beautiful, fluffy topping.

For the Buttery Christmas Dessert Squares Base

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk

For the Festive Sprinkle Cookie Bars Frosting

• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
• Red, green, and white nonpareil sprinkles

Step-by-Step Instructions for Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Now for the fun part! Because these are bar cookies, the process is so straightforward. We’re going to move quickly, but patience is key when you’re creaming the butter and sugar—that’s what builds the foundation for soft, chewy christmas sugar cookie bars. Don’t rush the mixing, and definitely don’t overbake them! The structure comes together fast, making this a fantastic recipe for kids to help with once the base is cooled down for decorating.

Preparing and Baking the Sheet Pan Sugar Cookie Bars

First things first, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). You’ll want to thoroughly line a 15×10 inch baking pan with parchment paper, making sure you leave a good overhang on two sides. This overhang is what lets you lift the whole batch out later, trust me, it saves a headache! Now, in your mixing bowl, cream that 1 cup of softened butter with the sugar until it looks light and fluffy—that takes a minute or two. Beat in your eggs one by one, followed by the vanilla. Keep your mixing bowl handy because, separately, you need to whisk the flour, baking powder, and salt. Add the dry stuff to your wet stuff, alternating with the milk, and mix only until you just see everything come together. Do not overmix! Press that dough evenly into your pan and bake for about 18 to 22 minutes. You want those edges barely golden. If a toothpick comes out with just moist crumbs, you’re winning!

Making and Applying the Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Bars Topping

This is crucial: the bars must cool completely before you even look at the frosting! If they’re warm, your topping will melt into a sad, sweet puddle. For this simple frosting, beat that remaining 1/4 cup of softened butter until it’s smooth. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar, and then mix in the vanilla and milk until it’s perfectly spreadable. If it’s too stiff, add a tiny splash more milk. Once the bars are totally cool, spread that creamy goodness right to the edges. And here’s the best part for your festive look: immediately cover the whole surface with your red, green, and white nonpareil sprinkles! This ensures they stick perfectly to our silky buttercream. Once it sets up a bit, grab that parchment overhang and lift out your masterpiece!

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Expert Tips for Perfect Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

To make sure these turn out truly great—soft, buttery squares that everyone begs for—we need to talk about a couple of small details. Getting the balance right guarantees you nail that Classic Sugar Cookie Taste Bars experience every time. Don’t worry, nothing here is complicated—just a few little secrets I’ve learned over the years of making these christmas sugar cookie bars!

Ingredient Notes and Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Bars Substitutions

Make sure your butter and eggs are at room temperature before you start. Cold butter just doesn’t cream up right, and that initial fluffiness is what keeps these bars soft! If you want to switch up the topping, remember those notes about making them into Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Bars? Just swap out the 1/4 cup of butter in the frosting recipe for 4 ounces of softened cream cheese. It adds a wonderful little tanginess that cuts through the sweetness perfectly. If you want more baking secrets to keep things soft, check out my guide on achieving bakery-style softness.

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Storage and Serving Suggestions for Festive Dessert Bars for Parties

This is actually wonderful news for your holiday schedule: these christmas sugar cookie bars are fantastic for making ahead! You can store the frosted (and set!) squares covered tightly at room temperature for up to three days. I find they taste even better the next day when the frosting and sprinkles have really melded into that buttery base. Since this recipe generously yields about 24 squares, they are just perfect for loading up for cookie exchanges or setting out when guests drop by. If you need more time savers, I have a whole post on easy Christmas desserts to make ahead!

Frequently Asked Questions About These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

I get so many questions about these beauties, especially around the holidays when everyone is looking for Simple Holiday Baking Recipes! Don’t worry if something isn’t immediately clear; we’re here to make baking fun, not frustrating. These bars are really hard to mess up, but a few pointers can ensure they come out perfectly every single time!

Can I freeze the Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars before or after frosting?

Yes, you absolutely can! If you’re making these as part of your Easy Christmas Desserts to Make Ahead prep, freezing the un-frosted base is ideal. Just bake them, let them cool completely, then wrap the whole slab tightly in plastic wrap and foil. They should stay great for up to three months. If you freeze them frosted, make sure the frosting is fully set first, and freeze them in a single layer or separated by parchment paper so the sprinkles don’t get crushed!

What is the best way to cut these bars cleanly?

Cutting cleanly, especially around thick frosting, can be a struggle, but I have a trick that works like a charm for these Festive Dessert Bars for Parties. Once the frosting is set, pop the entire tin into the fridge or even the freezer for about 20 minutes. When the bars and frosting are slightly chilled and firm, grab a long, sharp knife and wipe it clean with a hot, damp towel between each slice. You’ll get those super clean edges every time!

How do I make these a ‘Kids Christmas Baking Dessert’ option?

This is one of the best parts! While I handle the mixing and baking part (safety first!), letting the kids decorate turns this into a great Kids Christmas Baking Dessert activity. Once the bars are totally cooled, let them spread the frosting (or you can dollop it on if they are little), and then give them access to all those bright red, green, and white sprinkles! They can go absolutely wild covering the top. It’s the easiest hands-on decorating activity that tastes amazing, unlike some complicated sugar cookies. For more fun ideas, check out my favorite Christmas cookie ideas.

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Estimated Nutritional Data for Soft Frosted Holiday Cookie Bars

You want to know what you’re eating, and I totally get that! Since these are Soft Frosted Holiday Cookie Bars, they are definitely a treat, but knowing the numbers helps balance things out. Please remember that these figures are just estimates based on the recipe ingredients I listed earlier (1 of 24 servings). They are useful guidelines, but your final count might shift a little depending on exactly what brand of butter or sugar you use in your delicious batches of christmas sugar cookie bars.

Here is the breakdown:

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 110mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Protein: 3g

Share Your Homemade Holiday Treats

That’s it! You’ve made the magic happen! I truly hope these christmas sugar cookie bars bring some simple, buttery joy to your holiday season. Please come back and tell me how they turned out! Leave a rating below or share a photo of your wonderfully festive squares over on Facebook at our page to show off your holiday baking. Happy holidays, everyone!

Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Festive Frosting

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Make holiday baking simple with these soft, buttery Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. They deliver classic sugar cookie flavor without the need for rolling or cutting, topped with a creamy, festive frosting.

• Author: purejoyalex
• Prep Time: 15 min
• Cook Time: 22 min
• Total Time: 37 min
• Yield: 24 servings 1x
• Category: Dessert
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

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• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
• 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
• 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
• Red, green, and white nonpareil sprinkles

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Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 15×10 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal.
2. In a large bowl, cream together the 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, alternating with the 1/2 cup of milk, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
9. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the 1/4 cup of softened butter until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until combined.
10. Mix in the 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of milk or cream until the frosting is smooth and spreadable. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if the frosting is too stiff.
11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
12. Immediately decorate the top with a generous amount of red, green, and white nonpareil sprinkles.
13. Once the frosting is set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares for serving.

Notes

• For the softest bars, avoid overbaking. The center should look set but still slightly pale when you remove them from the oven.
• You can make these Cream Cheese Frosted Sugar Bars by substituting 4 ounces of softened cream cheese for the 1/4 cup of butter in the frosting recipe.
• These bars are excellent for making ahead; store them covered at room temperature for up to three days.

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 1 bar
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 28g
• Sodium: 110mg
• Fat: 12g
• Saturated Fat: 7g
• Unsaturated Fat: 5g
• Trans Fat: 0g
• Carbohydrates: 35g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg