Description
Festive Cookie Bars are a quick holiday dessert with a soft buttery cookie base, creamy frosting, and cheerful Christmas sprinkles on top. They are an easy recipe for cookie exchanges, dessert boards, party food ideas, and festive baking days when you want simple dessert ideas that still look special.
Ingredients
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon almond extract
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat 1 cup softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
3. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in 2 teaspoons vanilla extract and the almond extract.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
8. Cool the bars completely in the pan.
9. Beat the cream cheese with 1/4 cup softened butter until smooth.
10. Add the powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, then beat until fluffy.
11. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.
12. Top with holiday sprinkles, slice into bars, and serve.
Notes
Do not overbake the bars or they can lose their soft sugar-cookie texture.
Let the bars cool completely before frosting so the topping stays thick and neat.
Chill the frosted bars for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 24g
- Sodium: 95mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 38g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 52mg
Keywords: festive cookie bars, christmas cookie bars, holiday dessert, easy recipe, dessert ideas, party food ideas, christmas treats, frosted cookie bars