Easy Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe

The holidays are the perfect excuse to bake something fun and festive, and these Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars hit all the right notes! Picture a thick, soft sugar cookie base with bits of crushed peppermint mixed in, topped with a creamy peppermint frosting, and even more peppermint on top. They’re sweet, minty, and totally festive—basically, everything you want in a holiday treat. But here’s the best part: they’re so good, you’ll want to make them all year long, not just for the holidays! Whether you’re sharing them at a party or keeping them all to yourself (no judgment!), these bars are a total win.

The best part? They’re super easy to make and come together in under an hour. You don’t need any fancy equipment—just a bowl, a hand mixer, and a little holiday spirit. Spread that thick batter, whip up some frosting, sprinkle on the peppermint, and bam—dessert is ready! These bars are fun to make, even more fun to eat, and guaranteed to make your kitchen smell like a peppermint wonderland.

Ingredients You Will Need

For the Cookies

• Sugar adds sweetness and helps with the texture.
• Butter provides richness, and moisture, and helps create a smooth dough. Softened butter ensures it mixes well with the sugar.
• Vanilla Extract adds a warm, aromatic flavor that complements the peppermint and balances the sweetness.
• Egg binds the ingredients together, helps with structure, and contributes to the cookie’s texture and moisture.
• Flour forms the base of the dough, providing structure and shape to the cookie bars.
• Baking Powder is a leavening agent that helps the cookies rise, making them light and fluffy.
• Salt balances the sweetness and enhances the flavors of the other ingredients.
• Peppermints add a crunchy texture and a burst of peppermint flavor, giving the cookies their minty taste.

For the Frosting

• Powdered Sugar gives the frosting its smooth texture and sweetness. The fine powder dissolves easily, creating a creamy consistency.
• Butter adds richness and helps create a smooth and creamy frosting.
• Peppermint Extract provides a refreshing mint flavor that enhances the peppermint in the recipe.
• Vanilla Extract adds depth and balances the sharpness of the peppermint extract with a familiar, comforting flavor.
• Milk helps achieve the desired consistency for the frosting, making it spreadable and smooth.
• Peppermints are used for garnish and add extra crunch and a festive peppermint flavor to the top of the frosting.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I make the dough ahead of time? Yes! You can prepare the dough ahead of time and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours before baking. Just let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes before rolling out or pressing into the baking pan.

How do I prevent my cookie bars from becoming too soft? Make sure to bake the cookie bars until they are set in the middle and slightly golden around the edges. Overmixing the dough or adding too much butter can also make the cookies too soft, so mix the dough gently and accurately measure the ingredients.

Can I make the frosting ahead of time? Yes! You can make the frosting ahead and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When ready to use, allow it to come to room temperature and stir it to smooth out the consistency before spreading it on the cookies.

Can I freeze the dough before baking? Yes, you can freeze the cookie dough. Roll it into a ball, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap, and store it in an airtight container or freezer bag. When ready to bake, let it thaw in the fridge for a few hours before pressing it into the pan and baking.

How can I make these more minty? To increase the mint flavor, you can add more crushed peppermints to both the dough and the frosting. You can also increase the amount of peppermint extract in the frosting, but be careful not to overpower the other flavors.

What if I don’t have a baking pan the right size? If you don’t have a 9×9-inch pan, you can use a slightly smaller or larger pan, but you’ll need to adjust the baking time. A smaller pan will require a longer baking time, while a larger pan may need less time. Keep an eye on the bars and check for doneness by inserting a toothpick into the center.

Can I make these cookie bars without frosting? Yes! You can skip the frosting if you prefer a simpler version of the cookies. Just sprinkle a little extra crushed peppermint on top of the baked cookie base or enjoy them plain.

Helpful Tips

Properly Soften the Butter: Make sure the butter is softened to room temperature before mixing. If it’s too cold, it won’t cream properly with the sugar, and if it’s too warm, the dough might be too soft. Aim for a consistency where the butter is slightly firm but easily pressable with your finger.

Use a Lined or Greased Pan: Line your baking pan with parchment paper or grease it with butter to make sure your cookie bars come out easily. If using parchment, leave an overhang to easily lift the bars out of the pan after baking.

Cool the Bars Completely Before Frosting: Let the cookie bars cool completely before adding the frosting. If you frost them while they’re still warm, the frosting can melt and become too runny.

Adjust the Frosting Consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add a tiny bit more milk (1 teaspoon at a time) to reach a spreadable consistency. If it’s too thin, add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it.

Let the Bars Set Before Cutting: After frosting the cookie bars, let them set for at least 30 minutes to an hour before cutting them into squares. This helps the frosting firm up and makes cutting easier.

How to Store

Store in an airtight container After the bars have cooled completely, store them in an airtight container to keep them fresh. This will help prevent them from drying out and keep the frosting from becoming sticky.

Layer with Parchment Paper If you’re stacking the cookie bars in the container, place a sheet of parchment paper between layers to prevent them from sticking to each other and to keep the frosting intact.

Room Temperature Storage These cookie bars can be stored at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Just make sure the container is tightly sealed to prevent them from becoming stale or losing their flavor.

Refrigerate for Longer Storage If you want the bars to last a little longer, you can refrigerate them for up to a week. This can help keep the frosting firm but be aware that the texture of the cookies may change slightly after being chilled.

Freezing If you need to store the bars for a longer period, freezing is an excellent option. Wrap the cookie bars tightly in plastic wrap or foil, then place them in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. They can be frozen for up to 2 months. To thaw, leave them at room temperature for a few hours or overnight in the fridge.

Avoid Storing in Humid Areas Avoid storing the cookie bars in places with high humidity, as the frosting may soften or melt. Keep them in a cool, dry spot to preserve their texture.

Store without Frosting (Optional) If you prefer, you can store the cookie bars without frosting to maintain the texture of both the cookies and the frosting. Frost them when you’re ready to serve.

Substitutions and Variations

Chocolate Peppermint Bars: Add 1/4 cup of cocoa powder to the cookie dough for a chocolate base, or drizzle melted chocolate over the frosted bars.

Festive Toppings: Replace crushed peppermints with holiday-themed sprinkles or edible glitter for a fun look.

Swirled Frosting: Make a two-layer frosting by dividing the batch into two. Add red food coloring to one half, and swirl it with the white frosting on top of the bars.

Cream Cheese Frosting: Swap the butter-based frosting with cream cheese frosting for a tangy and rich variation.

Candy Bar Crunch: Top the bars with chopped peppermint chocolate candies or peppermint bark instead of crushed peppermints.

What to Serve with Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars

Hot Cocoa: Serve with rich hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a sprinkle of crushed peppermint.

Tea: Pair with a soothing herbal tea like chamomile or a minty tea for a refreshing contrast.

Ice Cream: Pair with vanilla or peppermint ice cream for an indulgent treat.

Whipped Cream Bar: Set up a whipped cream bar with sprinkles, crushed candy canes, and chocolate shavings for people to top their drinks or cookie bars.

Holiday Cookies: Offer other seasonal cookies, like Snowballs or Berlinerkranser, for variety.

Other Recipes You May Enjoy

If you like Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars, you might also like my Soft Pumpkin Cookies or my Rocky Road Cookies. Chocolate Mint Dreams Cookies are yummy, too. These Peppermint Mocha Cookies are also delicious.

Final Thoughts

Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars are one of my holiday favorites, but I also love having them throughout the year. I like to double the batch and take them to potlucks for an easy and tasty dessert. No one complains that I brought something peppermint-flavored in June.