Description
These Easy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, and topped with creamy vanilla frosting and festive sprinkles. Baked in a single pan, they’re a no-fuss holiday treat that captures all the flavors of traditional sugar cookies—without the rolling or cutting.
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1/4 cup plain yogurt or applesauce
1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
For the Frosting:
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk of choice
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
A few drops of natural red or green food coloring (optional)
Holiday sprinkles for topping
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and sugar until light and creamy.
- Add the yogurt (or applesauce) and vanilla extract; mix until smooth.
- Stir in the flour, baking soda, and salt to form a soft dough.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
- Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden.
- Let the cookie bars cool completely in the pan.
- For the frosting: Beat the butter until fluffy. Gradually add powdered sugar, then mix in milk, vanilla extract, and food coloring if using.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled bars and top with sprinkles.
- Chill in the fridge for 10–15 minutes before slicing into squares.
Notes
Swap vanilla extract for almond extract for a bakery-style flavor.
Sour cream can be used instead of yogurt for a richer texture.
Make them dairy-free with plant-based butter and almond milk.
Decorate with seasonal sprinkles for different occasions.
Store in an airtight container at room temp for 3 days, or refrigerate up to 1 week.
Freeze frosted or unfrosted bars up to 2 months with parchment between layers.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 80mg
- Fat: 7g
- Saturated Fat: 4g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 23g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
