Everyone went crazy when we shared our cake mix Christmas cookies a few years back so now we have another. These easy Christmas bar cookies are made on a sheet pan and you can decorate them with red and green holiday colors or candies. NO cookie cutter needed.
Like our Christmas Tree Sugar Cookies these cookie bars are pretty without the use or hassle of using all those cutters. NO rolling the dough out which means way less mess. You can just spread it out on the pan lined with parchment paper which makes it easy to slice and serve too. WIN. (affiliate links present)
Sugar Cookie Bars 9×13
Last year we made Cookie Bars From Cake Mix with a bunch of different candies inside. Now you could do the same thing for these with white dry mix and red green sprinkles for the holidays. This one is made from scratch though, which is the best idea if you have the time and patience.
The base is a simple buttery shortbread like treat. Best thing about that is you can make a large batch on different trays and decorate a number of different ways. Use a homemade frosting or tub of already made to coat and then the fun comes in. Involve your kids, get out the sprinkles, candies and chocolates to make into fun pretty designs.
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Now I will say that along with these I am always asked to bring a batch of Better Than Sex Cookie Bars too. Those are more chocolate than vanilla but both get gobbled up like no tomorrow. There are never any leftovers so I have to make an extra batch if I want to enjoy them again the next day. 😉
Sugar Cookie Bars Ingredients
- 1/2 c butter softened
- Cream cheese softened
- 3/4 c granulated sugar
- Vanilla extract
- 2 eggs
- All purpose flour
- Baking powder
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
Cookie Bar Frosting
- 1/2 c unsalted butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 c powdered sugar
Some like to add a touch of almond extract or use Peppermint Frosting. There are so many ways to make holiday cookie bars, use the extract that reminds you of your childhood and go with that! I am sure that you too baked with your Grandmother when you were little and have things that are MUSTs for you, incorporate those flavors if you can.
How to make homemade cookie bars
- In a bowl cream together butter, sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla until creamy. In another bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix with a fork or whisk to break up any lumps.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly (about ½ cup at a time) into the wet ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated before adding more. Continue until all ingredients are mixed.
- Line baking pan with parchment paper.
- Using a spatula or a knife, spread the batter on a 9 x 13” baking sheet.
- Preheat oven to 350 F.
- Place in the oven for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
- Place on a cooling rack and allow to completely come to room temperature. To make the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese with the vanilla until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until frosting is smooth and without lumps.
- Once bars are completely cooled off, spread the frosting over the top in an even layer and add desired sprinkles.
Toppings
The toppings are really up to you though. When I am making our Hershey Kiss Christmas Cookies if I have extra peppermint kisses I will chop those up and sprinkle them on top of this too. Now how to decorate Christmas cookies is a never-ending debate. If you asked 10 people you would get 10 different answers, and none of them would be wrong by any means. Biggest tip is to cool completely before frosting!
How to Make Toll house Cookie Bars
Yes you could use 2 rolls of sugar cookie dough to make the base, like these bars with cookie dough. The texture will be a bit different than this one made homemade but possible. Way you would do it is to spray the pan, press dough inside and bake according to the directions with a few more minutes until lightly browned on the top. Cool, frost and slice into squares.
Cookie Bars with Cake Mix
You can make cookie dough with a box of Duncan Hines mix. It is easier than you might think. Yellow and white are “regular” but you could make a bowl full of cake mix gingerbread cookies dough and use that for the bottom during the holidays too.
A 9×13-inch cookie cake typically serves 12 to 20 people, depending on how large or small you cut the slices. If you line the pan with parchment paper it is easier to lift the whole thing out and slice into any shape or size you like when cooled.
Decorating is a beloved holiday tradition that allows you to let your creativity shine. From adding classic designs to adding a swirl of peanut butter into cheesecake bars, there are countless ways to adorn your treats with festive flair. Here are some ideas to inspire your holiday baking:
How to Decorate Cookie Bars
- Royal icing is a versatile icing that hardens as it dries, making it perfect for intricate designs. Use piping bags and various tips to create intricate patterns, borders, and even detailed holiday scenes on your cookies.
- Add a touch of sparkle to your cookies by using colorful sprinkles, nonpareils, or sanding sugar. Sprinkle them over wet icing for a festive and vibrant look.
- Fondant allows you to create 3D shapes, figures, and designs for your cookies. Cut out shapes or roll fondant into small balls and attach them to the cookies with a dab of icing.
- Edible markers are an easy and fun way to add personalized messages, intricate patterns, or even doodles to your cookies. Kids and adults alike can enjoy drawing directly onto the icing.
- Using stencils is a quick way to add intricate patterns to your cookies. Place the stencil over the cookie and dust with powdered sugar or cocoa powder to create a decorative design.
- Tint your glaze with festive food coloring choices like red, green, or gold. Use a spoon to drizzle the glaze over the cookies, creating a beautiful abstract pattern.
- Create adorable snowmen, reindeer, Santas, or other holiday characters using various colors of icing, fondant, and candies.
- Use small candies, chocolate chips, M&M’s, or other candies to create eyes, buttons, and other decorative elements.
Use a fine-tipped piping bag to create delicate snowflake patterns on your cookies. You can also use snowflake-shaped cookie cutters for added detail. OR add a touch of elegance with metallic accents. Use edible gold or silver dust to paint intricate designs or add a subtle shimmer to
How to save leftovers
If you do have leftovers you want to keep them moist so wrapping each one in plastic wrap is ideal. Leave on the countertop at room temperature vs. the fridge so they don’t dry out. Ideally you want to enjoy them again within 48 hours. You can gently warm in the microwave for 20 seconds to add moisture too.
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Christmas Bar Cookies
Ingredients
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 3/4 c sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 1/4 c all purpose flour
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 2 tsp cornstarch
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp nutmeg
cream cheese frosting
- 1/2 c butter softened
- 2 oz cream cheese softened
- 1/2 tsp vanilla
- 2 c powdered sugar
Instructions
- In a bowl cream together butter, sugar and cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla until creamy. In another bowl, combine all the dry ingredients and mix with a fork or whisk to break up any lumps.
- Add the dry ingredients slowly (about ½ cup at a time) into the wet ingredients and stir until thoroughly incorporated before adding more. Continue until all ingredients are mixed.
- Using a spatula or a knife, spread the batter on a 9 x 13” baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Place in a preheated oven at 350 degrees F for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean in the center.
- Place on a cooling rack and allow to completely come to room temperature. To make the frosting, cream the butter and cream cheese with the vanilla until light and fluffy. Add in the powdered sugar and mix until frosting is smooth and without lumps.
- Once bars are completely cooled off, spread the frosting over the top in an even layer and add desired sprinkles.