Description

These Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars are soft, buttery, festive, and topped with creamy peppermint frosting plus crushed candy canes for the perfect Christmas dessert. This easy recipe is a fun holiday baking idea, a sweet party treat, and a quick dessert bar for cookie swaps, winter food ideas, Christmas dessert boards, and simple make-ahead holiday treats.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1 large egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened, for frosting

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons heavy cream or milk

1 teaspoon vanilla extract, for frosting

1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract, for frosting

1 pinch salt, for frosting

1/2 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.

2. Beat 1 cup softened butter with granulated sugar until light and creamy.

3. Mix in the egg, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract until smooth.

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

5. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and mix just until a soft dough forms.

6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan.

7. Bake for 18 to 22 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and the center looks set.

8. Let the cookie base cool completely before frosting.

9. Beat the frosting butter until creamy, then mix in powdered sugar, cream or milk, vanilla extract, peppermint extract, and salt until fluffy.

10. Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie base.

11. Sprinkle crushed candy canes and holiday sprinkles over the frosting.

12. Chill briefly for cleaner slices, then cut into bars and serve.

Notes

Do not overbake the cookie base. Pull it from the oven when the center looks set and the edges are just lightly golden.

Let the bars cool completely before frosting so the frosting stays thick and smooth.

Add crushed candy canes closer to serving time if you want the topping to stay crisp and sparkly.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 235
Sugar: 23g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 11g
Saturated Fat: 7g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 33g
Fiber: 1g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 35mg

Keywords: Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars, Christmas dessert, holiday baking, easy recipe, dessert bars, cookie swap dessert, Christmas food ideas, peppermint dessert