Description
Christmas Cookie Bars are the kind of festive dessert that instantly makes a holiday table feel complete. Soft, buttery, and topped with a thick layer of creamy frosting plus cheerful red and green sprinkles, these easy cookie bars deliver all the flavor of classic Christmas sugar cookies without the extra work of rolling and cutting dough. They are perfect for a quick breakfast treat with coffee, an easy dessert for parties, a sweet holiday snack, and one of those simple food ideas that works for cookie exchanges, potlucks, and family gatherings all season long.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and 1/2 teaspoon almond extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing just until combined.
6. Pour in the milk and stir until the batter is smooth and evenly blended.
7. Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan.
8. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the top is set and the edges are lightly golden.
9. Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting.
10. To make the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with the powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon almond extract, and enough heavy cream to make a smooth, spreadable frosting.
11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
12. Top with red and green sprinkles, then slice into squares and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars, because they will continue to set as they cool and overbaking can make them dry instead of soft and tender.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 345
- Sugar: 31g
- Sodium: 115mg
- Fat: 16g
- Saturated Fat: 10g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 48g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 63mg