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Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Vanilla Buttercream

A close-up of a square slice of christmas sugar cookie bars topped with white frosting and festive red and green sprinkles.
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Make soft, buttery sugar cookie bars that taste like traditional cut-out cookies but are much faster to prepare. These bars are topped with a simple vanilla buttercream and festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday parties.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (for frosting)
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
  • 2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream (for frosting)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)
  • Assorted festive sprinkles (for topping)

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together 1 cup softened butter and 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
  3. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 tablespoon of vanilla extract.
  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 9×13 inch pan.
  7. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
  8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  9. Prepare the frosting: Beat the 1/2 cup softened butter until smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing until combined. Add 2 tablespoons of milk and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat until the frosting is creamy and smooth. Add more milk, one teaspoon at a time, if the frosting is too stiff.
  10. Spread the vanilla buttercream evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
  11. Immediately decorate with your favorite festive sprinkles before the frosting sets.
  12. Once the frosting is set, cut the bars into squares for serving.

Notes

  • For a slightly tangier flavor, substitute 1/4 cup of the milk with sour cream in the cookie dough.
  • If you prefer a thinner glaze instead of buttercream, mix 2 cups powdered sugar with 4 tablespoons milk and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth, then drizzle over the cooled bars.
  • Cut the bars while they are slightly warm for easier removal from the pan, but wait until completely cool to frost them for the best frosting texture.

Nutrition

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