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Ultra Soft Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

A close-up of a square piece of Christmas sugar cookie bars topped with white frosting and festive red, green, and white sprinkles.
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Create soft, buttery Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars that skip the rolling and cutting. These sheet pan cookies deliver classic sugar cookie flavor in an easy, festive bar perfect for holiday parties and cookie exchanges.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
  • 3 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • Red, green, and white sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 13×9 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 1 cup of softened butter and 1 1/2 cups of granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla and almond extracts.
  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 1/2 cup of milk, mixing until just combined. Do not overmix.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the 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, mixing until incorporated.
  10. Beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract, milk, and salt until the frosting is creamy and smooth. Add a little more milk if the frosting is too stiff.
  11. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
  12. Immediately sprinkle the top generously with red, green, and white sprinkles.
  13. Once the frosting is set, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares before serving or storing.

Notes

  • For the softest texture, do not overbake the bars. Check them right at the 20-minute mark.
  • You can substitute buttercream frosting for the cream cheese frosting if you prefer a sweeter topping.
  • These bars are excellent for making ahead. Store them covered at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Nutrition

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