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Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

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These Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars combine a soft, buttery sugar cookie base with a creamy, sweet frosting topped with festive sprinkles. Perfect for holiday gatherings, these bars deliver classic sugar cookie flavors with an easy-to-cut, shareable format.

Ingredients

Cookie Base

  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened well (not melted)
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup festive sprinkles

Frosting

  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter, softened
  • 3 Tablespoons cream cheese, softened
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • Additional festive sprinkles for topping

Instructions

  1. Preheat and prepare pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9″x9″ baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang to easily lift the bars out once baked.
  2. Make cookie dough: In a large bowl, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla extract, beating until combined. Gradually incorporate the flour and baking powder until a thick dough forms. Gently fold in the 1/4 cup of festive sprinkles.
  3. Bake the cookie base: Spread the thick dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Because the batter is thick, take your time to spread it uniformly. Bake at 350°F for 20 minutes or until the edges turn golden brown.
  4. Cool the cookie base: Remove the pan from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely. Once cool, carefully lift the bars out using the parchment paper overhang.
  5. Prepare frosting: In a mixing bowl, blend together the powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth and creamy.
  6. Frost and decorate: Generously spread the frosting over the cooled cookie bars. Sprinkle additional festive sprinkles on top for a colorful, holiday finish.
  7. Slice and serve: Cut the cookie bars into squares. Serve immediately for a soft frosting texture or allow the frosting to set for a firmer finish.

Notes

  • Make sure the butter is softened but not melted for the best cookie texture.
  • You can substitute dairy butter with a vegan butter alternative to make this recipe dairy-free.
  • If you want thicker bars, use a smaller pan and increase baking time accordingly, checking for doneness.
  • To store, keep the bars refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
  • Sprinkles can be customized to fit any holiday or occasion.

Find it online: https://cookedbysarah.com/holiday-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe/