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Cozy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe Easy Frosted Almond Delight

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These Cozy Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars feature a tender, chewy sugar cookie base topped with a light, creamy frosted almond delight. Perfect for holiday gatherings, they combine nostalgic flavors with an easy bar format.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (227g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ½ cups (315g) all-purpose flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ¼ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 3 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 tbsp milk or cream
  • ½ tsp almond extract
  • ¼ cup sliced almonds, toasted

Instructions

  1. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or line it with parchment paper.
  2. In a large bowl, beat 1 cup softened unsalted butter with 1 cup granulated sugar using an electric mixer on medium speed for 3-5 minutes until light and fluffy.
  3. Add 1 large egg and 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract to the butter and sugar mixture. Beat until fully combined.
  4. In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour, ½ teaspoon baking powder, and ¼ teaspoon salt.
  5. Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet mixture in batches, folding gently with a rubber spatula until combined. Avoid overmixing.
  6. Press the dough evenly into the prepared baking pan using your hands or a spatula.
  7. Bake for 25-30 minutes until edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out mostly clean with a few moist crumbs.
  8. Cool completely on a wire rack before frosting.
  9. To prepare the frosting, beat 3 tablespoons softened unsalted butter until creamy in a medium bowl.
  10. Gradually add 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, alternating with 2 tablespoons milk or cream, until smooth and spreadable.
  11. Stir in ½ teaspoon almond extract.
  12. Spread the frosting evenly over the cooled cookie bars using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon.
  13. Sprinkle ¼ cup toasted sliced almonds over the frosting.
  14. Let the bars set for at least 30 minutes before slicing into 2×2 inch squares and serving.

Notes

Use softened butter at room temperature for best creaming results. Avoid overmixing flour to keep bars tender. Cool bars completely before frosting to prevent melting. Toast almonds in a dry skillet over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until golden and fragrant. For gluten-free, substitute flour with almond flour and add an extra egg white. Vegan versions can use plant-based butter and milk alternatives.

Nutrition

Keywords: Christmas sugar cookie bars, frosted almond delight, holiday baking, easy sugar cookie bars, festive dessert, almond frosting, holiday treats

Find it online: https://yumyep.com/cozy-christmas-sugar-cookie-bars-recipe-easy-frosted-almond-delight/