Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars: 5 Joyful, Irresistible Bites

Name: Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup softened butter (salted or unsalted); 1 cup granulated sugar; ¼ cup brown sugar; 1 large egg (room temperature); 2 tsp vanilla extract; ½ tsp almond extract (or peppermint extract); 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour; 1 tbsp cornstarch; ½ tsp baking powder; ½ tsp salt; ½ cup softened butter; 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 2–3 tbsp heavy cream (cold); Holiday sprinkles

Jump to Recipe

If there were ever a dessert that could wrap you up in a warm blanket of nostalgia, sparkle, and buttery sweetness, it’s Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. These bars have all the charm of classic Christmas cookies—but without the cookie-by-cookie decorating that we all think we have time for… until December actually hits. (Speaking from experience here!)

During the holidays, life gets busy. School concerts, office potlucks, last-minute shopping, wrapping gifts at midnight—it’s basically a festive marathon. And this is exactly why I adore recipes like Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. They’re soft, buttery, cheerfully decorated, and most importantly? They practically make themselves. Set aside about 15 minutes of effort, pour yourself a candy-cane-striped mug of cocoa, and let your oven do the heavy lifting.

As someone who believes cooking should bring joy—not extra stress—I love sharing recipes that feel like a little gift to your future self. And trust me: these bars deliver that gift with sprinkles on top.

Let’s be honest—December is magical, but it’s also exhausting. That’s where Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars step in like the holiday hero you didn’t know you needed.

Here’s why these belong on your must-bake list:

They’re easier than baking individual cookies. No chilling dough, no rolling dough, no cutting shapes… hallelujah.
They stay soft for days thanks to brown sugar and cornstarch.
They’re customizable. Want to swap the almond extract for peppermint? Go for it. Prefer rainbow sprinkles over Christmas ones? I won’t tell a soul.
They look festive with zero effort. A smooth layer of frosting + sprinkles = instant holiday magic.

These bars have saved me more than once—especially during the week when I signed up to bring dessert to a holiday gathering before checking my calendar, only to realize I barely had time to breathe. These came together fast, baked beautifully, and everyone devoured them like they hadn’t seen sugar since Halloween.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a quick rundown of what goes into these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars. (Full measurements live in the recipe card down below.)

For the sugar cookie bars:

Butter – softened. Use salted or unsalted—whatever you have works.
Granulated sugar + brown sugar – this combo keeps the bars ultra-soft.
Egg – room temperature so it mixes smoothly.
Vanilla extract & almond extract – or swap almond for peppermint for an extra festive twist.
All-purpose flour – the backbone of the bars.
Cornstarch – makes the texture tender.
Baking powder – for lift.
Salt – always a must in baked goods.

For the frosting:

Butter – soft and ready to whip.
Powdered sugar – for sweetness.
Vanilla extract
Heavy cream – cold cream makes frosting fluffy and dreamy.
Festive sprinkles – whatever makes your heart happy.

Refer to the recipe card below for precise ingredient measurements and complete nutritional details.

This recipe is straightforward, comforting, and perfect for holiday baking with kids, friends, or solo with a Christmas movie in the background.

Step 1: Cream the Butter and Sugars

In a large bowl, beat the softened butter with the granulated and brown sugars until everything looks smooth, creamy, and a little fluffy. This step sets the tone for soft cookie bars!

Step 2: Add Egg + Extracts

Mix in your egg, vanilla extract, and almond extract. (Again, peppermint lovers—feel free to get festive and swap the almond for peppermint.)

Step 3: Add the Dry Ingredients

Fold in the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, and salt. Stop as soon as the dough comes together—no need to overmix.

Step 4: Spread + Bake

Press the dough evenly into your prepared baking pan. Bake until the bars look just slightly underdone. This is key. They continue cooking as they cool, and this is what keeps them soft and heavenly.

Step 5: Cool Completely

Resist the temptation to frost too soon! Warm bars equal melted frosting.

Making the Buttercream Frosting

While the bars cool, let’s whip up the frosting.

Step 1: Cream the Butter

Beat the butter and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. It should look almost cloudlike.

Step 2: Add Vanilla + Cream

Pour in the vanilla and cold heavy cream. Whip again until the frosting becomes airy, smooth, and downright irresistible.

Step 3: Frost + Decorate

Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Top with Christmas sprinkles, because they’re basically edible joy. Chill to help everything set, then slice and enjoy!

You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or even mix by hand if you’re feeling brave and have some holiday adrenaline going. (Your forearms may feel it, but the frosting will still turn out delicious!)

Top view of Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars decorated with colorful holiday sprinkles, candies, and frosting in neatly cut squares. — These Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are packed with festive sprinkles and bright holiday colors—perfect for gifting, parties, or cozy December baking.

Don’t overbake. Pull the bars from the oven even if the center looks slightly soft. Soft dough = soft bars.
Use cold cream. It makes the frosting smooth and fluffy instead of heavy.
Press the dough evenly. Uneven dough means uneven baking. If needed, use a piece of parchment on top and gently press with your hands.
Chill before slicing. It keeps your frosting neat and your slices clean.
Add flair. Drizzle white chocolate, change the sprinkle colors, or tint the frosting red or green!

If the frosting seems too thick, add a splash more cream. Too thin? A little powdered sugar will fix it. Think of frosting like a cozy winter sweater—you can always adjust the fit.

A Little Story from My Kitchen

One December, during a week that felt like a blurry marathon of school events, forgotten errands, and way too much online shopping, I had promised to bring a dessert to a holiday potluck. I remember opening my fridge, seeing a lonely stick of butter, and thinking, “Well, this is going to be interesting.”

That’s when these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars came to the rescue. The dough came together quickly, the oven did the work, and the frosting made them look holiday-ready without the usual cookie-decorating chaos. They were the first dessert gone. People asked for the recipe. And I stood there smiling, thinking, “If only you knew how close I came to bringing store-bought brownies.”

These bars are that kind of recipe—the one you’ll rely on when life feels busy but you still want to create something homemade and special.

Can I substitute the almond extract?

Yes! Peppermint extract is a fun holiday twist. You can also stick with vanilla if you prefer a classic flavor.

Can I freeze Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars?

Absolutely. Freeze them unfrosted for best texture, then thaw and frost before serving.

How do I store leftovers?

Keep your bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or refrigerate for up to 5. The frosting holds up beautifully.

Can I double the recipe?

Yes—just bake in a larger pan and keep an eye on the baking time.

Close-up of Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with festive sprinkles and creamy frosting, featuring a bar with a bite taken out. — These festive Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars, topped with colorful sprinkles and creamy frosting, are soft, chewy, and impossible to resist.

Bringing It All Home

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are everything we love about the holidays—simple, cozy, colorful, and made to share. Whether you’re prepping for a cookie exchange, feeding a crowd, or just craving something sweet after the kids go to bed, this recipe has your back. It’s a little bit nostalgic, incredibly easy, and full of buttery cheer.

So grab your sprinkles, turn up the holiday playlist, and let these Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars bring joy to your kitchen and the people around your table. They’re the kind of treat that reminds us what this season is all about: connection, comfort, and delicious homemade moments.

More Holiday Treats You’ll Love

If you’re already dreaming about what to bake (or snack on!) next, here are some cozy, crowd-pleasing Christmas recipes your readers will love exploring. These picks pair beautifully with your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars and bring even more cheer to any holiday table:

For a sweet and creamy dip that disappears fast at parties, check out this Christmas Crack Dip — it’s festive, effortless, and ridiculously addictive.
Want another no-fuss treat that looks adorable on a holiday dessert platter? These Little Debbie Christmas Tree Cake Truffles are guaranteed to make everyone smile.
If you love classic holiday flavors, this Salted Peppermint Bark brings that perfect mix of chocolate, crunch, and peppermint magic.
And for even more inspiration, dive into this roundup of 20 Christmas Dishes—perfect whether you’re hosting, gifting, or just treating yourself to some holiday comfort.