Name: Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 22 min
Total time: 105 min
Ingredients: Sugar Cookie Bars:; 1 c. white sugar; ½ c. unsalted butter (softened to room temperature); 4 ounces of cream cheese; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2 large eggs; 2 ¼ c. all-purpose flour; 1 tsp baking powder; 2 tsp cornstarch; ¼ tsp salt; ½ tsp almond extract (optional); Frosting:; 2 ounces of cream cheese; ¼ tsp salt; ½ c. unsalted butter; holiday sprinkles; ½ tsp vanilla extract; 2-3 c. powdered sugar

Prep Time: 30 mins | Cook Time: 22 mins | Cooling: 45 mins | Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins | Servings: 15 bars

Super soft with a thick layer of frosting – these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are the easiest Holiday dessert you’ll ever make!

Ingredients

Sugar Cookie Bars:

1 c. white sugar

½ c. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature

4 ounces of cream cheese

2 tsp vanilla extract

2 large eggs

2 ¼ c. all-purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

2 tsp cornstarch

¼ tsp salt

½ tsp almond extract, optional

Frosting:

2 ounces of cream cheese

¼ tsp salt

½ c. unsalted butter

holiday sprinkles

½ tsp vanilla extract

2-3 c. powdered sugar

How to make Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Sugar Cookie Bars:

Step 1: Prepare the oven. Preheat it to 350 degrees F. Using aluminum foil or parchment paper, line a 9 x 13-inch pan, then lightly grease.

Step 2: Place the butter, cream cheese, and sugar in a large bowl. Beat until fluffy. Then, mix in the vanilla extract, almond extract, and eggs.

Step 3: In another bowl, sift the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt.

Step 4: Into the butter mixture (about half at a time), gently beat the flour mixture.

Step 5: Into the prepared pan, spoon the batter. To make an even layer, gently press the batter with lightly greased hands. Place in the preheated oven and bake for about 22 to 25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the middle of the bar comes out clean and the top is set.

Step 6: Remove from the oven when done and allow the bars to cool fully in the pan.

Frosting:

Step 7: In the meantime, beat the butter until smooth. Add the cream cheese and mix well. Then, stir in the salt and vanilla extract.

Step 8: Beat in the powdered sugar (about half c. at a time) with the mixer on low speed until sweet and thickened to your liking.

Step 9: Finally, frost the cooled bars and sprinkle the holiday sprinkles on top.

Notes:

Storage & Make-ahead:

In an airtight container, keep the bars and store them for up to 3 days at room temperature. These bars will also stay fresh in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Tightly wrap the unfrosted bars and freeze them for up to 3 months. Before frosting, thaw in the fridge overnight, and make sure to bring the bars to room temperature.

To make a Smaller Batch:

Feel free to halve the recipe and make this in an 8 x 8 or 9 x 9-inch pan. Bake as directed.

Bars:

2 ounces of cream cheese

¼ c. unsalted butter

½ c. white sugar

¼ tsp almond extract

1 tsp cornstarch

1 tsp vanilla extract

½ tsp baking powder

⅛ tsp salt

1 large egg

1 c. plus 2 tbsp all-purpose flour

Frosting:

1-ounce cream cheese

¼ tsp vanilla extract

¼ c. unsalted butter

1-1 ½ c. powdered sugar

⅛ tsp salt

Nutrition Facts: