You know those holidays where you just want to bake something super festive but don’t have hours to spend? Yeah, me too! That’s where these absolutely amazing Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles come in. They’re totally my go-to when I need a quick win that still feels special. Honestly, they look like they took ages, but trust me, they’re ridiculously easy. My kids go nuts for them, and parties are always a hit when I bring a batch. They’re just pure, happy, sprinkle-covered magic!
Why You’ll Love These Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Seriously, these bars are a total lifesaver during the busy holiday season. Here’s why you’ll want to whip up a batch ASAP:
- Super Easy & Quick: You can have these ready in under an hour, no fancy decorating skills needed!
- Festive Fun: Those sprinkles just scream holiday cheer, making them perfect for any celebration.
- Crowd Pleaser: Everyone loves a good sugar cookie, and these bars are a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
- So Versatile: Perfect for parties, bake sales, or just a sweet afternoon treat.
Ingredients for Your Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Okay, here’s what you’ll need to make these happy little bars. Don’t worry, it’s all pretty standard stuff you probably have in your pantry!
- 1 cup (that’s 2 sticks!) of unsalted butter, make sure it’s softened so it creams up nicely.
- 1 1/2 generous cups of granulated sugar for that perfect sweetness.
- 2 large eggs, make sure they’re room temperature if you can swing it!
- 1 teaspoon of good old vanilla extract – the real stuff makes a difference.
- 2 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour, sifted if you’re feeling fancy, but honestly, just measured is fine.
- 1 teaspoon of baking powder to give them just a tiny lift.
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt to balance out all that sweetness.
- For the frosting: 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, sifted so there aren’t any lumps.
- 2 tablespoons of milk (any kind works!) for the frosting.
- And another 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract for the frosting – yum!
- Finally, about 1/2 cup of your favorite holiday sprinkles. Go wild here!
Essential Equipment for Making Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Alright, to make these festive little bars, you’ll need a few trusty kitchen helpers. Nothing too wild, just the basics! You’ll want a 9×13 inch baking pan – that’s the perfect size. An electric mixer, whether it’s a stand mixer or a hand mixer, is a lifesaver for creaming that butter and sugar. And of course, a few bowls for mixing up your ingredients, a whisk for the frosting, and a spatula or offset spatula for spreading everything nice and even. Oh, and don’t forget a measuring cup set and spoons!
Step-by-Step Guide to Perfect Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Alright, let’s get baking! Making these Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles is honestly super straightforward. Just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a stunning, festive treat in no time. It’s all about taking your time with each step, especially the cooling part – trust me on that one! Think of it like making gooey pecan pie bars, where patience really pays off!
Preparing the Cookie Base
First things first, hop on over to your oven and preheat it to 350°F (175°C). While that’s warming up, grab your 9×13 inch baking pan and give it a good grease and flour. Trust me, this prevents any sad sticking later! Now, into a big bowl goes your softened butter and granulated sugar. Get your mixer going and cream these together until they’re nice and fluffy – think light and airy, almost like a pale yellow cloud. Then, crack in your two large eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each. Stir in that 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, give your flour, baking powder, and salt a quick whisk together. Slowly add these dry ingredients to your butter and sugar mixture, mixing until it’s *just* combined. Don’t overmix it, or you’ll get tough bars!
Baking and Cooling Your Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars
Once your dough is looking perfect, it’s time to get it into that prepared pan. Press the dough evenly across the bottom. You want a nice, uniform layer so they all bake up evenly. Pop that pan into your preheated oven for about 20 to 25 minutes. You’re looking for edges that are just starting to turn a pretty golden brown. Once they’re out of the oven, the *most important* part: let them cool completely in the pan. I know, I know, waiting is hard, but if you try frosting them while they’re warm, everything will just melt into a gooey mess. Patience, my friend!
Crafting the Frosting and Adding Sprinkles
While those bars are doing their cooling thing, let’s whip up the super simple frosting. Grab a medium bowl and whisk together your sifted powdered sugar, the milk, and the other teaspoon of vanilla extract. Keep whisking until it’s smooth and spreadable. It should be thick enough to coat the bars, but not so thick it’s hard to spread. Once your cookie bars are totally cool, spread that lovely frosting right over the top, making sure to get it all the way to the edges. And now for the fun part! Right after you frost them, before the frosting has a chance to set, go ahead and shower them with those festive holiday sprinkles. This is where the magic happens!
Tips for the Best Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Alright, let’s talk about making these even *more* amazing! Little tweaks can make a big difference with these Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles. Don’t skip the softened butter; it’s crucial for that tender texture. And seriously, use real vanilla extract – it’s like the difference between a whisper and a shout of flavor! If you want to get fancy, try doing a double layer of sprinkles, or maybe even some edible glitter!
For softer bars, which I totally prefer, just pull them out of the oven a minute or two early. If you like them a little more on the chewy-crisp side, let them bake a tad longer. These are also super adaptable. You can totally swap out the holiday sprinkles for any occasion – polka dots for birthdays, red and green for Christmas, or even little pumpkins for fall. Just make sure you let them cool *completely* before frosting; it’s the most important step to avoid a melty situation, kind of like how we don’t mess around with the cooling time for our classic chocolate chip cookies!
Ingredient Notes and Substitutions for Your Sugar Cookie Bars
A quick note on a couple of things! Using unsalted butter is best because it lets you control the salt level more precisely. If you only have salted butter, just cut back on the salt you add to the dough a bit. For the milk in the frosting, any kind works – whole, skim, almond milk, oat milk, it’s all good! If you wanted to make these dairy-free, you could try a dairy-free butter substitute and a plant-based milk. Just make sure the dairy-free butter is one that acts similarly to real butter in baking.
Storing and Reheating Your Festive Cookie Bars
Keeping these bars fresh is a breeze! Once they’re completely cool and cut, store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature. They’ll stay perfectly soft and delicious for about 3 days. I wouldn’t really recommend refrigerating them, as that can sometimes make them a little too hard. And honestly? They’re so good at room temp, you probably won’t have many leftovers to worry about reheating!
Frequently Asked Questions About Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
Got questions? I bet! These bars are super popular, so let’s clear up a few things.
Can I make these sugar cookie bars ahead of time?
Oh yes, you totally can! Make the bars and frosting separately, store them in airtight containers, and assemble and add sprinkles right before serving to keep them looking their best.
What kind of sprinkles work best for these bars?
Honestly, any sprinkles you love will work! Jimmies give a classic look, nonpareils add tiny pops of color, and confetti sprinkles are super festive. Just make sure they’re baking-friendly so they don’t melt into weird blobs!
How do I get clean cuts on my cookie bars?
This is my favorite trick! For super clean cuts, use a long, sharp knife. After frosting and adding sprinkles, chill the pan for about 15-20 minutes. Then, wipe the knife clean between each cut. Easy peasy!
Estimated Nutritional Information
Just a little heads-up, the nutritional info for these delightful Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles is an estimate, you know? It can totally change depending on the brands you use and how big you cut your bars! Generally, you’re looking at around 200 calories per bar, with about 10g of fat, 28g of carbs, and 25g of sugar. Enjoy them guilt-free (mostly)!
Share Your Holiday Sugar Cookie Bar Creations!
I just LOVE seeing your baking adventures! If you whip up a batch of these Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles, please drop a comment below and tell me how they turned out. Did you use rainbow sprinkles or festive reds and greens? I’m always curious to hear about your own little twists! You can also share your pics with me on social media – it seriously makes my day! And if you really loved them, a quick rating would be amazing! You can always reach out via our contact page if you have any questions!
Print
Holiday Sugar Cookie Bars with Sprinkles
- Total Time: 45 min
- Yield: 24 bars
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Easy sugar cookie bars topped with festive sprinkles, perfect for holiday celebrations.
Ingredients
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup holiday sprinkles
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease and flour a 9×13 inch baking pan.
- 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 stir in 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- 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.
- Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden. Let cool completely in the pan.
- While the bars cool, prepare the frosting. In a medium bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract until smooth.
- Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars.
- Immediately sprinkle the holiday sprinkles over the frosting before it sets.
- Cut into bars and serve.
Notes
- For softer bars, bake for a shorter time. For crispier bars, bake a few minutes longer.
- You can use any type of sprinkles you like.
- Store leftover bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
- Prep Time: 20 min
- Cook Time: 25 min
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
