Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Sure, here’s a festive and delicious Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars recipe for you:

Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

For the Cookie Bars:

• 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon almond extract (optional)
• 4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

For the Frosting:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 4 cups powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• Food coloring (red and green for Christmas)
• Sprinkles for decorating

Instructions:

Making the Cookie Bars:

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking dish or line it with parchment paper.
2. In a large mixing bowl, cream together the softened butter, granulated sugar, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Mix in the vanilla extract and almond extract (if using).
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add this to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined.
5. Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. The dough will be thick, so you may need to use a spatula or your hands to press it down evenly.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until the edges are light golden brown and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Allow the bars to cool completely in the pan before frosting.

Making the Frosting:

1. In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter until smooth and creamy.
2. Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating well after each addition.
3. Add the milk and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is light and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, add a little more milk; if it’s too thin, add more powdered sugar.
4. Divide the frosting into two or more bowls if you want to use different colors. Add food coloring to each bowl and mix until the desired color is reached.
5. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars. Decorate with sprinkles.
6. Allow the frosting to set before cutting into bars.

Enjoy your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars! These are perfect for holiday parties, cookie exchanges, or just a festive treat at home.