Jolly Festive Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe for Holidays

Sweet holiday magic meets classic baking with these delightful peppermint sugar cookie bars that spark joy in every bite.

Soft, chewy textures blend perfectly with cool peppermint undertones.

Chocolate drizzles add elegant richness to these festive treats.

Each bar brings a delicate crunch and smooth peppermint flavor that dances across your palate.

Winter celebrations shine brighter with these stunning dessert bars.

Guests will adore the simple yet sophisticated combination of buttery sugar cookie and refreshing mint.

These bars promise to be the star of any seasonal gathering.

Making Peppermint Cookie Bars

• Prepare Baking Surface

Grab a 9×13 inch pan and line it with parchment paper or give it a generous butter coating to prevent sticking.

• Create Cookie Base

Blend softened butter with sugars until they transform into a fluffy, dreamy mixture. Splash in eggs and flavor extracts, mixing until everything looks smooth and inviting.

• Combine Dry Elements

Whisk flour, rising agents, and salt in a separate bowl. Gently fold these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, being careful not to overmix.

• Bake Cookie Foundation

Spread the dough evenly across your prepared pan. Slide into a preheated 350F oven and bake for about 20 minutes until edges turn golden and center looks set.

• Whip Up Creamy Topping

Beat butter until silky, then gradually incorporate powdered sugar and cream. Stir in peppermint extract and a touch of red food coloring for a festive pop.

• Decorate and Finish

Once cookies cool completely, lavish the surface with peppermint frosting. Sprinkle crushed candy canes across the top for a delightful crunch and holiday flair.

• Slice and Enjoy

Cut into neat squares or rectangles. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container for later indulgence.

Fun Flavor Twists for Peppermint Bars

• Baking Brilliance: Pro Tips for Perfect Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars
• Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure butter and eggs are at room temperature for smoother mixing and better texture, helping create a more uniform and creamy cookie base.
• Prevent Overbaking: Watch bars closely during final minutes of baking, removing them when edges are golden but center still looks slightly soft to maintain a tender, chewy texture.
• Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare cookie bars up to 3 days in advance and store in refrigerator, allowing flavors to develop and making party prep easier.
• Gluten-Free Option: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free all-purpose blend to make these bars accessible for those with wheat sensitivities, maintaining the same delicious peppermint flavor.
• Dairy-Free Adaptation: Replace butter with coconut oil and use plant-based milk instead of heavy cream to create a delicious dairy-free version that everyone can enjoy.

Ways to Slice and Serve Sugar Bars

• Holiday Dessert Platter: Arrange the peppermint sugar cookie bars alongside other festive treats like chocolate truffles and gingerbread cookies for a stunning holiday spread that will impress guests.
• Cozy Winter Pairing: Serve these bars with a warm mug of hot cocoa or peppermint mocha for a delightful combination that captures the essence of winter comfort and sweetness.
• Gift-Worthy Presentation: Package the bars in clear cellophane bags tied with red and white ribbons, creating charming homemade gifts for neighbors, teachers, or holiday party hosts that showcase your baking skills.
• Elegant Dessert Backdrop: Create an Instagram-worthy dessert table by displaying the bars on a white ceramic platter, garnished with extra candy cane pieces and a sprig of fresh mint for a professional and festive look.

Tips for Keeping Peppermint Bars Fresh

• Fridge-Friendly Freshness: Store bars in an airtight container between layers of parchment paper to prevent sticking. Keeps fresh for 4-5 days when refrigerated.
• Cool and Dry Storage: Keep cookie bars in a sealed container at room temperature, away from direct sunlight. Maintains texture and flavor for up to 3 days.
• Freezing Magic: Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature for best taste and texture.
• Single-Serve Prep: Cut bars before storing to make grab-and-go snacking easier. Separate layers with wax paper to prevent crumbling and maintain crisp edges.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Calories: 320 kcal

Servings: 16

Peppermint Sugar Bar Essentials

• All-Purpose Flour: Provides sturdy structure and tender crumb for the classic sugar cookie foundation.
• Granulated Sugar: Delivers sweet flavor and helps create golden, crisp edges.
• Powdered Sugar: Enhances softness and contributes to smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture.
• Butter: Delivers rich, creamy flavor and creates tender, flaky base.
• Eggs: Bind ingredients and provide moisture and structure to the cookie bars.
• Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Ensure proper rising and light, airy texture.
• Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

• Vanilla Extract: Adds warm, classic bakery-style background note.
• Peppermint Extract: Introduces refreshing, cool minty dimension to the dessert.

• Butter: Creates smooth, rich base for creamy frosting.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and thick, spreadable consistency.
• Heavy Cream: Delivers luxurious, silky texture to frosting.
• Red Food Coloring: Optional touch for festive, vibrant visual appeal.
• Candy Canes: Adds delightful crunch and intense peppermint burst as garnish.

Tools for Making Perfect Sugar Cookie Bars

• Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer: Essential for creaming butter and beating frosting to smooth, fluffy consistency.
• 9×13-inch Baking Pan: Perfect for creating even, consistent cookie bars.
• Parchment Paper: Ensures easy removal and prevents sticking.
• Large Mixing Bowls: Needed for mixing dry and wet ingredients separately.
• Whisk: Great for combining dry ingredients smoothly.
• Sharp Knife: Used for cutting bars into neat squares or rectangles.
• Spatula: Helps spread frosting evenly and scrape bowl edges.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Crucial for accurate ingredient measurements.

Festive Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

---

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

4.6 from 10 reviews

• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 17 1x

Print Recipe

Pin Recipe

Description

Peppermint sugar cookie bars deliver festive holiday cheer with their delightful minty flavor and buttery texture. Guests will savor each sweet, crumbly bite of this classic seasonal dessert perfect for winter celebrations.

---

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 ¾ cups (350 g / 12.35 oz) all-purpose flour
• 1 cup (225 g / 8 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 oz) granulated sugar
• ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 oz) powdered sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• 1 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp baking soda
• ¼ tsp salt
• ½ cup (115 g / 4 oz) unsalted butter, softened
• 3 cups (375 g / 13.23 oz) powdered sugar
• 2 tbsps heavy cream (or milk)
• ½ tsp peppermint extract
• 12 drops red food coloring (optional, for a festive pink hue)
• ¼ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Cook Mode Prevent your screen from going dark

---

Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Preparation: Meticulously whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a bowl to create a uniform dry mixture.
2. Batter Development: Cream butter with granulated and powdered sugars until achieving a velvety texture, then methodically blend in eggs and extracts to form a smooth batter.
3. Pan Preparation: Spread cookie dough evenly into a prepared rectangular baking pan, ensuring complete coverage of corners and edges.
4. Baking Process: Roast in a preheated oven at 350°F until edges transform to a golden hue and center sets, approximately 18-20 minutes.
5. Cooling Phase: Allow baked confection to cool completely within the pan, enabling proper setting for optimal frosting application.
6. Frosting Creation: Whip butter to a silky consistency, gradually incorporating powdered sugar and cream to construct a luscious, spreadable mixture.
7. Flavor Enhancement: Integrate peppermint extract and optional crimson food coloring, blending until achieving a uniform, vibrant appearance.
8. Frosting Application: Generously distribute peppermint frosting across the cooled cookie base, creating a smooth, complete surface coverage.
9. Festive Finishing: Sprinkle crushed candy canes atop the frosted layer, adding a delightful crunch and holiday-inspired visual appeal.
10. Serving Preparation: Slice the decorated confection into precise squares, presenting an elegant and delectable seasonal treat.

Notes

• Prevent Dry Cookies: Measure flour precisely using the spoon-and-level method to avoid adding excess flour, which can lead to dense, dry bars.
• Achieve Smooth Frosting: Ensure butter is at room temperature before whipping to create a silky, lump-free frosting that spreads effortlessly across the cookie base.
• Control Peppermint Intensity: Start with a small amount of peppermint extract and gradually add more, tasting to achieve the perfect balance of refreshing mint flavor without overwhelming the cookie.
• Optimize Cutting Technique: Use a sharp, clean knife and wipe the blade between cuts for crisp, neat edges when slicing the frosted cookie bars.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 17
• Calories: 265
• Sugar: 16 g
• Sodium: 90 mg
• Fat: 12 g
• Saturated Fat: 7 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 39 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg