Name: Delicious Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Ingredients: 2 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation of any cookie, helping to create that delightful texture.; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder – This helps the bars rise and gives them a fluffy texture.; 1/4 teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavor of the cookies, balancing the sweetness.; 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds richness and moisture; make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.; 1 cup granulated sugar – The primary sweetener, creating the characteristic sweetness of sugar cookies.; 1 large egg – Acts as a binder, helping the ingredients stick together.; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness.; 1/2 teaspoon almond extract – A lovely addition that enhances the cookie flavor profile.; Sprinkles for decoration – These can be any festive variety, adding color and cheer to the bars.

Description

Enjoy Delicious Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars—soft, festive, and topped with colorful sprinkles, perfect for holiday treats or gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups all-purpose flour – The foundation of any cookie, helping to create that delightful texture.
1/2 teaspoon baking powder – This helps the bars rise and gives them a fluffy texture.
1/4 teaspoon salt – Enhances the flavor of the cookies, balancing the sweetness.
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened – Adds richness and moisture; make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
1 cup granulated sugar – The primary sweetener, creating the characteristic sweetness of sugar cookies.
1 large egg – Acts as a binder, helping the ingredients stick together.
1 teaspoon vanilla extract – Adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the sweetness.
1/2 teaspoon almond extract – A lovely addition that enhances the cookie flavor profile.
Sprinkles for decoration – These can be any festive variety, adding color and cheer to the bars.

Instructions

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a 9×13 inch baking pan with parchment paper, allowing some overhang for easy removal.
In a medium bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Set this mixture aside; it’s important to evenly distribute the dry ingredients.
In a large mixing bowl, cream together 1/2 cup of softened unsalted butter and 1 cup of granulated sugar until light and fluffy. This should take about 3-4 minutes using an electric mixer.
Add in 1 large egg, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and 1/2 teaspoon of almond extract. Mix until fully combined.
Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing on low speed until just combined. Overmixing can lead to tough cookie bars.
Spread the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan, smoothing the top with a spatula. The dough will be thick, so take your time to make sure it’s even.
Bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center is set. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out clean.
Remove from the oven and allow to cool in the pan for about 10 minutes before lifting it out using the parchment paper. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
Once cool, cut into squares and decorate with sprinkles or icing as desired. Enjoy your festive creation!