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Easy Frosted Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream

Three squares of soft christmas sugar cookie bars topped with white frosting and festive red, green, and white sprinkles.
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Make these soft, buttery Christmas sugar cookie bars for a simple holiday dessert. This recipe offers the classic flavor of sugar cookies in a convenient, less messy bar format, topped with creamy vanilla buttercream and festive sprinkles.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 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
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • 2–3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
  • Holiday sprinkles (for decoration)

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.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 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 milk, beginning and ending with the flour mixture. Mix until just combined; do not overmix.
  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 the center is set. Do not overbake; you want these to stay soft.
  8. Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  9. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the 1/2 cup of softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, beating until combined. Add 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract and 2 to 3 tablespoons of milk or cream until you reach a smooth, spreadable consistency.
  10. Once the bars are completely cool, spread the vanilla buttercream evenly over the top.
  11. Immediately decorate with your favorite holiday sprinkles before the frosting sets.
  12. Once the frosting is set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares for serving.

Notes

  • For a make ahead holiday dessert, you can bake the bars and store them, unfrosted, tightly covered at room temperature for up to two days. Frost them the day you plan to serve them.
  • If you want a slightly tangier frosting, substitute 2 tablespoons of the milk/cream with 2 tablespoons of softened cream cheese.
  • These soft baked bars freeze well. Cut them into squares before freezing and store them in an airtight container between layers of wax paper.

Nutrition

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