Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

I recently perfected a batch of Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Bars that surprise your palate. Using unsalted butter, fresh eggs, and a hint of green food coloring, these treats combine classic ingredients to bring a festive twist to your holiday table. They are fun, inventive, and a delightful seasonal indulgence.

I’ve been experimenting with some sweet holiday treats and came up with these Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Bars that turned out surprisingly fun and tasty. I mixed together 1 cup unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar, added 2 large eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla extract for that rich flavor, then folded in 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder and a pinch of salt.

The best part is that you bake the dough in a 9×13 pan, then frost it with a simple icing made with 1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons milk, with green food coloring to keep that festive tree vibe. These bars are a cool twist on traditional Christmas cookie treats like Soft Sugar Cookies and Christmas Tree Cookies.

Once baked, I just cut them into 24 triangles and voila, festive holiday fun!

Why I Like this Recipe

I really love this recipe because it’s super simple and fun to make. I don’t need fancy cookie cutters or extra tools which makes it easy to throw together even on busy days. Also, the way I can customize the frosting color with food coloring just makes it feel festive and special every time I make it. Another thing is that the cookie bars bake evenly in the pan which means less mess and more yummy treats to share with my friends and family. Lastly, I appreciate that the ingredients are pretty basic so I can whip it up without a ton of extra shopping.

Ingredients

• Unsalted butter adds rich taste and moist texture to the cookie dough, plus some fats.
• Granulated sugar makes the treats sweet and gives energy though it’s mostly carbohydrates.
• Eggs help hold everything together and add a bit of protein while keeping it tender.
• Vanilla extract boosts the flavor so each bite feels warm and inviting.
• All-purpose flour forms the cookie structure and is mainly carbohydrates with little fiber.
• Powdered sugar makes the frosting smooth and sweet without adding extra flavor complexity.
• Green food coloring gives a festive look perfect for holiday vibes and fun decoration.

Ingredient Quantities

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened (for the cookie dough)
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup powdered sugar (for the frosting)
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (for the frosting)
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (for the frosting)
• 2 tablespoons milk (for the frosting)
• Green food coloring (use as needed)

How to Make this

1. Preheat your oven to 350°F and grease a 9×13 pan or line it with parchment paper so the bars don’t stick later.

2. In a big bowl, cream together 1 cup of softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar until it gets light and fluffy.

3. Beat in the 2 large eggs and the 1 teaspoon vanilla extract until everything is well mixed.

4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, 2 teaspoons baking powder, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Then slowly add the dry ingredients into the butter mix and stir until just combined.

5. Spread your cookie dough evenly in the prepared pan. Make sure it covers every corner so your bars will bake evenly.

6. Pop the pan in the oven and bake for about 18 to 20 minutes, or until the cookie dough is just a little golden around the edges. Let it cool completely in the pan.

7. For the frosting, beat 1 cup powdered sugar with 2 tablespoons softened unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 2 tablespoons milk until smooth. Add green food coloring drop by drop until you reach the shade you like.

8. Once the cooled cookie bar is ready, spread or drizzle the green frosting over it evenly.

9. Finally, cut the bar into 24 triangles and enjoy your festive Christmas tree sugar cookie bars!

Equipment Needed

1. Oven (preheated to 350°F)
2. 9×13 inch baking pan (or one of similar size)
3. Parchment paper (to line the pan, so the bars don’t stick)
4. Two mixing bowls (one big for the butter and sugar mix, and one separate for dry ingredients)
5. Measuring cups and spoons (for precise ingredient amounts)
6. Mixer or whisk (to cream the butter and sugar, and beat the eggs)
7. Spatula or wooden spoon (for stirring the dough and spreading it evenly in the pan)
8. Knife or pizza cutter (for cutting the cooled cookie bars into 24 triangles)

FAQ

Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe Substitutions and Variations

• Unsalted Butter (for the cookie dough): If you dont have unsalted butter, try using margarine or even a vegetable shortening. It may slightly change the flavor, but it still works.
• Eggs: For a vegan twist or if you are out of eggs, you can replace each egg with 1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce or mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 2.5 tablespoons water and let it sit for a few minutes.
• All-Purpose Flour: You can swap out all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour or a gluten-free flour blend. Just keep in mind that it might make your cookies a bit more dense.
• Milk (for the frosting): If you dont have regular milk handy, any milk alternative like almond or soy milk will do the trick just fine.

Pro Tips

1. Make sure your butter is really soft before you start; if it’s too cold then your mixture won’t cream properly and that can affect the rise and texture of your bars.

2. When you add in the flour, do it slowly and mix just until its combined. Overmixing can create a tougher cookie, so just stir till you no longer see pockets of flour.

3. Keep an eye on your cookie dough in the oven. Even though it may look done on the edges, a slightly soft center is what you want so it doesn’t dry out once it cools completely.

4. For the frosting, add the food coloring drop by drop. It’s easy to overdo it so start light and gradually build up to that perfect green shade.