Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

cookie bars stacked on top of each other

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, chewy, and so easy to make. With a sweet cream cheese frosting and festive sprinkles, this is the perfect treat for the holiday season!

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Keyword christmas sugar cookie bars

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 20

Chill Time 1

Total Time 1 30

Servings bars

Calories 267

Author Gayle

Ingredients

Cookie Dough:

½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
1 cup granulated sugar
½ cup plain Greek yogurt
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
½ teasppon almond extract
2 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
2½ cups all-purpose flour
¾ teaspoon baking powder
1 tablespoon cornstarch
½ teaspoon salt
¼ cup Christmas jimmies sprinkles (or other sprinkles of choice)

Frosting:

4 cups powdered sugar
½ cup unsalted butter (softened to room temperature)
2 ounces cream cheese (softened to room temperature)
2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or vanilla extract)
2-3 tablespoons milk (I used 2%)
3-5 drops food coloring (if desired)
3 tablespoons Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

Cookie Dough:

Preheat oven to 375°F. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper or foil, extending the sides over the pan for easy removal. Spray lightly with cooking spray. Set aside.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and sugar using an electric hand mixer or stand mixer with fitted paddle attachment for 2-3 minutes, or until light and fluffy.
Add in Greek yogurt, eggs, vanilla, almond extract, and cream cheese and mix until combined. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, cornstarch, and salt. Slowly add the flour mixture into the wet mixture until everything is combined. Fold Christmas sprinkles into the batter.
Press the batter in the prepared baking dish and spread it out evenly with a rubber spatula. Bake for 16-20 minutes, or until edges just barely start to turn golden brown.
Remove from the oven and cool completely on a wire rack.

Frosting:

In a large mixing bowl, add powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, and vanilla and beat until smooth. If the frosting is too thick, add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time until consistency thins out a bit. The frosting should be creamy and fluffy.
If using food coloring, add a few drops and stir until well combined. Spread frosting evenly over cooled bars. Top with sprinkles, if desired, and cut into squares.

Notes

Bars will last in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to five days.
See my tips and tricks for making these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars above the recipe box.

Nutrition