Description

These Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars are a festive easy recipe with a soft buttery cookie base, fluffy peppermint frosting, and crushed candy canes on top. They are perfect for a quick holiday dessert, easy dessert bars for a party, Christmas baking ideas, and fun food ideas when you want a simple sweet treat that looks beautiful and tastes even better.

Ingredients

1 cup unsalted butter, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

2 large eggs

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened for frosting

3 cups powdered sugar

2 tablespoons heavy cream

1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

2 to 3 drops pink food coloring

1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 350°F and grease or line a 9×13-inch baking pan with parchment paper.

2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened butter with the granulated sugar until light and fluffy.

3. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, then mix until smooth.

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

5. 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 and smooth the top.

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

8. Let the bars cool completely in the pan.

9. For the frosting, beat 1/2 cup softened butter with the powdered sugar, heavy cream, peppermint extract, and pink food coloring until smooth and fluffy.

10. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled bars.

11. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top.

12. Slice into bars and serve.

Notes

Do not frost the bars before they are fully cooled, or the frosting will melt and lose its fluffy texture.

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

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 bar
Calories: 285
Sugar: 27g
Sodium: 95mg
Fat: 13g
Saturated Fat: 8g
Unsaturated Fat: 4g
Trans Fat: 0g
Carbohydrates: 40g
Fiber: 0g
Protein: 2g
Cholesterol: 48mg

Keywords: peppermint sugar cookie bars, christmas sugar cookie bars, holiday dessert bars, easy dessert bars, peppermint dessert, christmas baking ideas, easy recipe, food ideas