Description
Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery holiday dessert bars topped with creamy peppermint frosting and crushed candy canes, making them a festive sugar cookie bar recipe that is easy to bake, simple to slice, and perfect for Christmas parties, cookie trays, and seasonal dessert tables.
Ingredients
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup unsalted butter softened
1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
2 large eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
8 ounces cream cheese softened
3 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons milk or heavy cream
1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract
1/3 cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies
2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles optional
Instructions
1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt.
3. In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and granulated sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Add the eggs one at a time, then mix in the vanilla extract and peppermint extract.
5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and mix just until a soft dough forms.
6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared pan.
7. Bake for 18 to 24 minutes, until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set.
8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.
9. To make the frosting, beat the cream cheese until smooth, then mix in the powdered sugar, milk or heavy cream, and peppermint extract until creamy.
10. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars.
11. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes and holiday sprinkles over the top.
12. Slice into bars and serve.
Notes
Let the bars cool completely before frosting so the topping stays thick and smooth.
Use peppermint extract carefully because a little goes a long way.
Chill the frosted bars for 20 to 30 minutes before slicing for cleaner edges.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 22 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 285
- Sugar: 27g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 13g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 0.5g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 48mg