Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Save time this holiday season with this easy Christmas sugar cookie bars. They're extra soft with a thick layer of frosting, and way less work than sugar cookies!
Servings: 15 bars
Ingredients
Sugar Cookie Bars
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 4 oz cream cheese
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract optional
- 2 large eggs
- 2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Frosting
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 - 3 cups powdered sugar
- holiday sprinkles
Instructions
Sugar Cookie Bars
- Preheat the oven to 350F degrees.
- Line a 9x13 inch pan with aluminum foil and lightly grease, or line with parchment paper.
- In a large bowl, beat together the butter, cream cheese and sugar until fluffy.
- Beat in the vanilla extract, almond extract and eggs.
- In a separate bowl sift together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder and salt.
- Carefully beat the flour mixture into the butter mixture about 1/2 at a time.
- Spoon the batter into the prepared pan, and with lightly greased hands press it into the pan to form an even layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 22-25 minutes or until the top is set and an inserted toothpick comes out clean.
- Cool the bars completely, leaving them in the pan as they cool.
Frosting
- Beat the butter until soft, then mix in the cream cheese.
- Add in the salt and vanilla extract
- With the mixer on low speed beat in the powdered sugar about 1/2 cup at a time, until the desired sweetness and thickness is reached.
- Frost the cooled cookie bars, then sprinkle with holiday sprinkles.
Notes
Storage & Make-ahead Tips
Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or in the fridge for up to 5 days. Unfrosted bars can be wrapped tightly and frozen for up to 3 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight, then bring to room temperature before frosting and serving.Making a Smaller Batch
Recipe can be halved and made in an 8x8 or 9x9 inch pan. The bake time will be about the same. For the Bars- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 2 oz cream cheese
- 1/2 cup white sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 large egg
- 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon cornstarch
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1 oz cream cheese
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 1 - 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
Nutrition
Calories: 437kcal | Carbohydrates: 69g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 17g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 128mg | Potassium: 73mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 53g | Vitamin A: 571IU | Calcium: 33mg | Iron: 1mg