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The Easiest Soft & Chewy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars with Cream Cheese Frosting

A square piece of christmas sugar cookie bars with white frosting and colorful sprinkles, showing a bite taken out.
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Make these soft, buttery Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars for a simple, festive holiday treat. This pan cookie recipe skips the fuss of cut-outs and delivers classic sugar cookie flavor topped with a rich cream cheese frosting and sprinkles.

Ingredients

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  • 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 tablespoon milk
  • Festive sprinkles for decoration

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. Lightly grease the paper.
  2. In a large bowl, cream together the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, then mix in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until just combined. Stir in the sour cream until the dough comes together.
  4. Press the dough evenly into the prepared 9×13 inch pan.
  5. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Do not overbake; you want these to stay soft.
  6. Let the bars cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
  7. Prepare the frosting: In a medium bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar until combined. Add 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 1 tablespoon of milk, beating until the frosting is smooth and spreadable.
  8. Spread the cream cheese frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
  9. Immediately decorate the top with festive sprinkles.
  10. Once the frosting is set, use the parchment overhang to lift the bars from the pan. Cut into squares.

Notes

  • For the softest texture, avoid pressing the dough too firmly into the pan; keep it relatively light.
  • You can substitute the cream cheese frosting with a simple vanilla glaze if you prefer a thinner topping.
  • These make-ahead holiday desserts freeze well before frosting. Frost them the day you plan to serve them.

Nutrition

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