Christmas sugar cookie bars for Santa. A small batch of sugar cookie bars made in an 8×8 pan and topped with cream cheese frosting and festive M&Ms.
These Christmas sugar cookie bars are nothing new; they’re the same as my Valentine’s Day Sugar Cookie Bars, but with a Christmas twist. The video for this recipe shows the Valentine’s Day candy hearts–just sub in the Christmas M&Ms and everything else is the same!
I decided to bring them back to the front and update them, because my Mom has been talking non-stop about how good they are since she made them in February. She said they’re the best sugar cookie bar recipe ever, and when your Mom gives one of your recipes a title like that, you take note.
I had a Christmas sweater decor idea in mind when decorating these Christmas sugar cookie bars, and used a variety of M&Ms. This year, the purple bag of dark chocolate M&Ms are all green and red, so that’s what I used. Plus, the white chocolate peppermint M&Ms are over-sized white and red.
They might do this every year, but this is my first year buying the seasonal M&Ms because we used them for potty training Camille, hah! (All I wanted for Christmas this year is less laundry! I’ve been washing cloth diapers every 3 days for 2 1/2 years–wish granted! Thanks, Santa!)
Making Christmas sugar cookie bars with kids:
This also feels like the appropriate time to brag that my toddler calls M&Ms ‘yem-a-nems.’ It’s the best thing ever.
I told Camille we were practicing making cookies for Santa when we made these Christmas sugar cookie bars last week, but she did not like that idea. The problem is, she’s never been a big fan of Saint Nick. I have 3 years of screaming on Santa’s lap photos to prove it.
She only agreed to continue making these cookies when I told her they were for Santa’s reindeer. Always an animal lover, that kid of mine. So, make these for Santa or his reindeer, it’s up to you.
I also want to point out that baking sugar cookie bars in an 8×8″ pan is loads easier than making individual cookies if you’re in a bit of a time crunch on Christmas Eve when baking for Santa. Plus, small-batch cookies are always the best way to go when baking with kids.
And Camille wants to me to say that decorating with candy is the best way to go when baking with kids because she can snack on the decorations. ;)
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars
Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars for Santa.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
For the frosting:
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 3 ounces whipped cream cheese (about 1/2 cup)
- 3/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- seasonal M&Ms, for decorating
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350, and line a 8x8" pan one-way with parchment paper.
- In the bowl of a mini stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, make the cookies: add the softened butter and beat on medium-high speed for about 30 seconds, to fluff it up. Slowly pour in the granulated sugar while continuing to beat.
- Next, add the egg and vanilla extract, and beat to combine.
- Turn off the stand mixer, and sprinkle the flour, baking powder and salt evenly on top.
- Turn the mixer back on LOW and beat to incorporate the dry ingredients.
- Scoop the batter into the baking pan, and press it flat with your fingers.
- Bake for 20 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean with only a few crumbs. Let cool completely.
- In a clean mini stand mixer bowl, make the frosting: beat together the softened butter and cream cheese for 1 minute, until fluffy. Add the vanilla and beat to combine.
- Turn the mixer to low and add the powdered sugar one-half cup at a time while continuing to mix.
- Add a splash of milk if you think it needs to be thinner.
- Spread the frosting over the cooled cookie, decorate with candy, and then slice to serve.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 4161Total Fat: 175gCarbohydrates: 628gProtein: 35g
I feel your pain on the laundry! We’re a year into washing cloth diapers, and every couple of months my husband looks at me and asks when she’ll be potty trained… Our current bribery tool is blueberries (will walk for blueberries!), but I’m not going to hold my breath for blueberries to cut it for potty training bribery! :*D
This might make your day: I started getting Camille to poo on the potty at 18 months! She was pretty predictable in that department, and I would just put her on the potty at the right time and read books to her. It definitely cut down on the diapers! Plus, once she’s ready to potty train, convincing her to pee will be easy because she’s already used to the potty! I potty trained Camille in 2 days. GOOD LUCK :)
My brother was potty trained with raisins. :-)
Oh, and these look delicious too!!!
I never should have looked at this. All my fave ingredients, and the frosting kinds of hangs over the edge. Now I better get out of the recliner and see if I have the items.
These look interesting. Do you mean we should buy the cream cheese that is already whipped or should I buy a block of cream cheese and whip my own?
Yes, I’m wondering the same thing! Should I buy the whipped cream cheese? Or buy regular cream cheese and whip it myself?
Haha! My little one is the same with Santa, she’ll be turning 3 in February. We just wave at Santa when we’re at the mall instead. I ask every time if she wants to go tell Santa what she wants for Christmas but she says no. And she also likes the reindeer better too. :)
We’ve got a lot of goodies lined up to make, but we might have to have some of these too because they look so good!
Are these soft sugar cookies or the crunchy type?
Hi Christina,
These look amazing! I have to bake Christmas cookies in quantity for my sons’ Teachers, our neighbors, friends, etc. but I love cookies with frosting more than any other cookie so this is perfect for just me!
On the off chance the whole tray isn’t eaten right away, how do you store them? Fridge?
I left them at room temp in an air-tight container for 3 days. :)
Just finished decorating these and they are DELICIOUS! Super easy and sooooooooo good! I will probably be making another batch soon:)