If you love the soft, buttery flavor of classic sugar cookies but don’t want the hassle of rolling, cutting, and decorating each one, these Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars are your dream come true. They deliver all the tender sweetness and festive charm of traditional sugar cookies — but in an easy-to-make, slice-and-serve bar form. With a rich vanilla sugar cookie base, creamy frosting, and colorful holiday sprinkles, these bars are soft, chewy, and completely irresistible. Perfect for parties, cookie exchanges, or gifting, they’re the ultimate crowd-pleasing holiday treat.
Why You’ll Love These Sugar Cookie Bars
- No rolling or cutting: Simply press the dough into a pan and bake.
- Soft, chewy texture: Melt-in-your-mouth buttery goodness in every bite.
- Customizable: Decorate for any occasion with colored frosting and sprinkles.
- Easy to transport: Great for potlucks, school events, and holiday gatherings.
- Make-ahead friendly: Stay soft for days and freeze beautifully.
Ingredients for Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars
For the Cookie Base
- 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon almond extract (optional for classic sugar cookie flavor)
For the Frosting
- ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2–3 tablespoons heavy cream or milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- Food coloring (optional)
- Holiday sprinkles for topping
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Pan and Oven
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
Step 2: Make the Cookie Dough
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar together until light and fluffy — about 2–3 minutes. Add the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then beat in the vanilla and almond extract. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing just until combined.
Step 3: Bake the Bars
Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. It will be thick — use a spatula or your hands to smooth it out. Bake for 16–20 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Be careful not to overbake; you want them soft and chewy. Cool completely in the pan before frosting.
Step 4: Make the Frosting
In a large bowl, beat the butter until creamy. Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, alternating with tablespoons of cream or milk. Beat until smooth and fluffy, about 3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla extract and salt. For a festive touch, add a few drops of food coloring — red, green, or even pastel tones for a winter wonderland look.
Step 5: Frost and Decorate
Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Add sprinkles before the frosting sets so they stick. For neat slices, chill the bars for 15–20 minutes before cutting into squares or rectangles.
Flavor and Texture
These Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars are buttery, soft, and perfectly sweet. The base has that melt-in-your-mouth texture you expect from a classic sugar cookie, while the frosting adds a creamy layer of sweetness. The almond extract gives them that nostalgic holiday bakery flavor, and the sprinkles add crunch and color for a festive finish. Every bite tastes like holiday joy — sweet, soft, and full of celebration.
Tips for Perfect Cookie Bars
- Use room temperature ingredients: This ensures smooth, even mixing.
- Don’t overmix: Overworking the dough can make the bars tough.
- Avoid overbaking: The bars should look slightly underdone when you take them out; they’ll firm up as they cool.
- Cool completely: Warm bars will melt the frosting and ruin the texture.
- Customize colors: Use red and green for Christmas, blue and white for winter, or pastels for Easter.
Make-Ahead and Storage Tips
- Make Ahead: Bake and cool the cookie base a day before frosting.
- Storage: Store frosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.
- Freezing: Freeze unfrosted bars for up to 2 months. Thaw completely and frost when ready to serve.
Variations and Add-Ons
- Lemon Sugar Cookie Bars: Add 1 tablespoon lemon zest and 1 tablespoon lemon juice to the dough and frosting.
- Chocolate Chip Sugar Cookie Bars: Fold in ½ cup mini chocolate chips before baking.
- Peppermint Frosting: Replace vanilla with peppermint extract for a cool, holiday twist.
- Funfetti Style: Mix sprinkles into the dough for a cheerful, colorful surprise.
- Gluten-Free Version: Use a 1:1 gluten-free baking flour blend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use store-bought frosting?
Yes, but homemade frosting tastes fresher and spreads more smoothly.
Can I double this recipe?
Absolutely. Use a half-sheet pan and extend the baking time by 5–7 minutes.
How do I get clean slices?
Chill the bars for 15–20 minutes before slicing, and use a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts.
Can I make them dairy-free?
Yes. Substitute plant-based butter and non-dairy milk for a dairy-free version.
What if I don’t have almond extract?
You can skip it or replace it with extra vanilla for a milder flavor.
Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars
Equipment
- 9×13-inch baking pan
- Parchment paper
- Mixing bowls
- Hand or stand mixer
- Spatula
- Measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp almond extract (optional)
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened (for frosting)
- 3 cups powdered sugar, sifted (for frosting)
- 2–3 tbsp heavy cream or milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract (for frosting)
- 1 pinch salt (for frosting)
- food coloring (optional)
- holiday sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang on the sides for easy removal later.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, then mix in vanilla and almond extract. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix until just combined.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 16–20 minutes until edges are lightly golden and the center is set. Cool completely before frosting.
- In a large bowl, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar gradually, alternating with cream or milk. Beat until fluffy. Stir in vanilla and salt. Add food coloring if desired.
- Spread frosting over cooled bars. Add sprinkles while frosting is soft. Chill 15–20 minutes before slicing.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars are the ultimate stress-free dessert for the festive season — simple to make, beautiful to serve, and absolutely delicious. With their buttery vanilla base, creamy frosting, and joyful sprinkles, they capture the essence of holiday baking without the fuss of rolling pins and cookie cutters. Perfect for sharing, gifting, or enjoying with a cup of cocoa, these bars bring sweetness, color, and nostalgia to every celebration. Once you make them, they’ll become a staple on your holiday dessert table year after year.
