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Festive Cookie Bars

Festive Cookie Bars

  • Author: Nina Johnson
  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Total Time: 40 minutes
  • Yield: 24 bars 1x
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Bring the holiday spirit to your kitchen with these Festive Cookie Bars! With a soft sugar cookie base, rich vanilla frosting, and colorful sprinkles, these bars are the ultimate easy recipe for cookie swaps, school treats, or quick dessert ideas. Whether you’re looking for a healthy snack twist or a fun addition to your dessert board, this easy holiday dessert will check every box—quick to prep, crowd-pleasing, and endlessly festive.


Ingredients

Scale

2 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 cup salted butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

3 cups powdered sugar

½ cup butter (for frosting), softened

24 tablespoons milk or cream

½ teaspoon vanilla extract (for frosting)

⅓ cup red and green holiday sprinkles


Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C) and line a 9×13-inch baking dish with parchment paper or grease it lightly.

2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Beat in eggs one at a time, then add vanilla extract.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour and baking powder.

5. Gradually mix dry ingredients into wet until a soft dough forms.

6. Press dough evenly into the prepared pan and bake for 20–25 minutes, or until edges are lightly golden.

7. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

8. To make the frosting, beat butter until creamy. Add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk. Mix until smooth and fluffy.

9. Spread frosting over cooled cookie base and top with holiday sprinkles.

10. Slice into bars and serve or store.


Notes

Let bars cool fully before frosting to prevent melting.

You can freeze frosted bars—just separate layers with parchment.

Use cream cheese frosting for a tangy twist.


Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 bar
  • Calories: 230
  • Sugar: 22g
  • Sodium: 95mg
  • Fat: 11g
  • Saturated Fat: 7g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 3g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 30g
  • Fiber: 0g
  • Protein: 2g
  • Cholesterol: 40mg

Keywords: festive cookie bars, holiday bars, easy Christmas dessert