Description
Festive Cookie Bars are a quick dessert packed with buttery sugar cookie flavor, creamy vanilla frosting, and cheerful holiday sprinkles. This easy recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie trays, party desserts, sweet snack ideas, and simple holiday baking when you want fun food ideas that look festive and taste amazing.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon almond extract, optional
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups powdered sugar
2 to 3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
3 to 4 tablespoons red and green holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or grease it well.
2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter and the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Mix in the eggs one at a time, then stir in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and the almond extract if using.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
8. Cool the bars completely in the pan before frosting.
9. To make the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth.
10. Add the powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, pinch of salt, and 2 tablespoons cream or milk. Beat until fluffy, adding more cream if needed.
11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
12. Top with the red and green holiday sprinkles.
13. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars if you want them soft and tender.
Let the bars cool fully before frosting so the topping stays thick and smooth.
Chill the frosted bars for 15 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 19g
- Sodium: 85mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 33g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 38mg