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Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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★★★★★

4.6 from 124 reviews

These festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars combine a soft, buttery sugar cookie base with a creamy cream cheese frosting, topped with colorful holiday sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they deliver the classic flavors of sugar cookies in an easy-to-cut bar form that’s convenient and crowd-pleasing.

Ingredients

Scale

Cookie Bars

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
  • 4 oz cream cheese
  • 1 cup white sugar
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
  • 2 large eggs
  • 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons cornstarch
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Frosting

  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 – 3 cups powdered sugar
  • Holiday sprinkles, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s at the right temperature when your dough is ready to bake.
  2. Prepare Pan: Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper and lightly grease it. This will help the bars release easily after baking.
  3. Mix Wet Ingredients: In a large bowl, beat together 1/2 cup softened butter, 4 oz cream cheese, and 1 cup sugar until the mixture is fluffy and well combined.
  4. Add Extracts and Eggs: Beat in the 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/2 teaspoon almond extract (if using), and the 2 large eggs until fully incorporated.
  5. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, sift together 2 1/4 cups flour, 2 teaspoons cornstarch, 1 teaspoon baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt to ensure even distribution.
  6. Incorporate Dry into Wet: Gradually beat the flour mixture into the wet mixture about half at a time, mixing carefully to form the batter without overbeating.
  7. Press Batter into Pan: Spoon the batter into your prepared pan and, using lightly greased hands, press it evenly to cover the entire pan surface.
  8. Bake the Bars: Bake for 22-25 minutes or until the top is set and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  9. Cool Completely: Remove from oven and allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.
  10. Prepare Frosting: Beat 1/2 cup butter until soft, then mix in 2 oz cream cheese until smooth.
  11. Add Flavorings: Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for a balanced flavor.
  12. Mix in Powdered Sugar: On low speed, gradually beat in 2 to 3 cups powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time, until the frosting reaches your preferred sweetness and thickness.
  13. Frost and Decorate: Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars and finish by sprinkling colorful holiday sprinkles on top for a festive touch.

Notes

  • For best results, make sure the butter and cream cheese are softened to room temperature before mixing to avoid lumps.
  • Almond extract is optional but adds a nice complementary flavor to the vanilla.
  • Use parchment paper for easy removal and less cleanup compared to foil.
  • Store the frosted bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep the frosting fresh.
  • You can customize the sprinkles based on your holiday theme or omit them for a classic look.

Keywords: Christmas sugar cookie bars, holiday cookie bars, cream cheese frosting cookie bars, festive sugar cookies

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