Christmas Tree Sugar Cookie Bars (2024)

• 1 c. butter softened at room temperature
• 2 c. sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 tsp. vanilla
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 5 c. flour

For the Frosting:

• 2 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/2 c. butter softened at room temperature
• 1/8 - 1/4 tsp. almond extract
• 3 Tbsp milk
• green food coloring
• Christmas sprinkles and candies to decorate
• pretzel sticks

• Grease a standard rimmed cookie sheet (about 12x17) and set aside.

• Cream together butter and sugar on medium speed. Add eggs one at a time, allowing each egg to be incorporated into the mixture. Scrape the sides of the bowl and add vanilla; mix well.

• Whisk together salt, baking soda, and flour in a medium bowl. Slowly add to the sugar mixture until just combined.

• Press the dough evenly into the greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375° for 15 minutes until lightly golden. Remove from oven and set aside to cool.

• Prepare frosting by using an electric hand mixer to beat the butter until smooth. Then add 2 Tbsp milk, a small amount of food coloring, and almond extract; mix together.

• Add powdered sugar about a half cup at a time to avoid a mess. Add 1 Tbsp milk and combine. At this point you can add more food coloring if you want to darken the color of the frosting.

• Cut bars into triangles the size you want each tree. Frost and decorate as desired. Insert a pretzel stick into the bottom of each tree for the tree stump.