Festive & Easy Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars: The Ultimate Holiday Dessert Recipe

Get ready to spread some holiday cheer with these delightful Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars! Perfect for Christmas gatherings, these festive treats feature a soft, chewy sugar cookie base bursting with vibrant green sprinkles, all crowned with a luscious, creamy buttercream frosting. Each bar is then adorned with a little red heart, reminiscent of the Grinch’s growing heart, making them not just incredibly tasty but also wonderfully themed for the season. This recipe offers a fun and simple way to bring a touch of Whoville magic to your dessert table, promising smiles all around.

A perfectly frosted Grinch sugar cookie bar, ready to bring holiday joy.

If you’re a fan of soft and chewy sugar cookies, then you are absolutely going to adore these sugar cookie bars! They offer all the beloved flavor and texture of traditional sugar cookies but in an easier, no-roll bar format. While we’ve chosen festive green and red food coloring to capture the Grinch’s iconic look, feel free to get creative with any colors you prefer to match your holiday decor or personal style. Enjoy these bars with a warm cup of coffee, a glass of cold milk, or as a delightful standalone treat. They are guaranteed to be a crowd-pleaser and a perfect addition to your holiday baking traditions.

Why You’ll Love These Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars

Effortlessly Festive: These bars instantly bring a playful, Grinch-inspired theme to your holiday celebrations with their vibrant colors and cute heart decorations.
Simpler Than Drop Cookies: Forget the tedious process of rolling and cutting individual cookies. These bars are baked in a single pan, making cleanup and preparation a breeze.
Perfect Texture Every Time: Enjoy a consistently soft and chewy texture throughout each bar, complemented by the smooth, fluffy buttercream frosting.
Crowd-Pleaser: Easy to share and loved by all ages, these cookie bars are ideal for potlucks, parties, or simply enjoying with family during the festive season.
Customizable Fun: While green and red are classic for the Grinch, you can easily change the sprinkle and frosting colors to suit any occasion or preference.

Essential Ingredient Notes for Perfect Grinch Cookie Bars

Achieving the perfect flavor and texture in your Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars starts with understanding your ingredients. Here’s what you need to know:

Unsalted Butter (Softened): This is crucial for both the cookie dough and the buttercream frosting. Make sure your butter is at room temperature, allowing it to soften for at least an hour before you begin. Softened butter creams beautifully with sugar, incorporating air that results in a light and fluffy texture for both the cookies and frosting. Always opt for real butter, as margarine can affect the taste and consistency.
All-Purpose Flour: For best results, measure your flour by spooning it into a measuring cup and then leveling it off with a straight edge. This prevents over-packing, which can lead to dry, dense cookie bars.
Baking Powder & Cornstarch: Baking powder provides the necessary lift, giving the cookie bars a soft rise. Cornstarch is a secret ingredient for many chewy cookie recipes, contributing to that irresistible tender texture that prevents them from becoming too crisp.
Granulated Sugar: Used in the cookie dough to provide sweetness and help with spread and texture.
Large Eggs (Room Temperature): Just like butter, room temperature eggs emulsify better with other ingredients, creating a smoother, more uniform batter. This leads to a more consistent bake.
Vanilla Extract: Use a good quality pure vanilla extract for the best flavor. It enhances all the other ingredients in both the cookie and the frosting.
Green Sprinkles: We use classic green sprinkles to achieve that iconic Grinch look. However, feel free to use rainbow sprinkles for a more whimsical touch, or even omit them if you prefer. The cookie dough is delicious either way! Nonpareil sprinkles tend to hold their shape best during baking.
Powdered Sugar: Essential for a smooth, lump-free buttercream frosting. Sifting it can help ensure an even silkier texture.
Whole Milk: Used in the frosting to achieve the perfect consistency. You can adjust the amount slightly to make your frosting thicker or thinner as desired.
Gel Food Coloring (Green, Yellow, Red): Gel food coloring is highly concentrated, allowing you to achieve vibrant colors without significantly altering the consistency of your frosting. A small amount goes a long way. We use green and a touch of yellow for the Grinch-like green, and red for the iconic heart.

Visual guide: How to make these festive Grinch sugar cookie bars.

Expert Tips for Baking the Best Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars

To ensure your Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars turn out perfectly every time, keep these expert tips in mind:

Cooling is Key: It’s absolutely essential to allow the cookie bars to cool completely before applying the frosting. If the bars are even slightly warm, the buttercream frosting will melt, creating a messy and unappetizing result. Patience is a virtue here!
Piping Perfection (or Easy Alternatives!): Don’t have a piping bag or feel confident piping the red hearts? No worries! You can easily use store-bought heart candies, red M&Ms, or even small cut-outs of red fruit leather to create the Grinch’s heart. If you are piping, place the red frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 12 round tip for best results.
Cutting Strategy: When decorating, you have a choice: cut the bars first, then pipe on individual hearts, or frost the entire pan and then cut. I highly recommend cutting the bars into squares or rectangles *before* piping the hearts. This minimizes the risk of accidentally smudging or ruining any of your beautiful heart decorations when you slice the bars. Plus, it ensures each bar gets a perfectly centered heart.
Prevent Overbaking: Keep a close eye on your cookie bars towards the end of the baking time. They are done when the edges are lightly golden and the center is set but still looks soft. Overbaking will result in dry, crumbly bars instead of the desired soft and chewy texture.
Prepare Your Pan: Always line your 9×13 baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, leaving an overhang on the sides. This creates “handles” that make it incredibly easy to lift the cooled cookie slab out of the pan before cutting and frosting. A light spray of cooking non-stick spray under the parchment can help it stay in place.

Indulge in the chewy perfection of these holiday-themed cookie bars.

How to Make Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars: Step-by-Step Guide

Making these Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars is straightforward and fun! Follow these steps for a perfect batch:

Instructions

Prepare Your Oven and Pan: Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line a 9×13 inch baking dish with parchment paper or aluminum foil, ensuring you leave an overhang on the longer sides. This will make it easy to lift the baked cookie slab out later.
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, baking powder, salt, and cornstarch. Set this mixture aside.
Cream Wet Ingredients: In a separate large bowl, or the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the softened unsalted butter and granulated sugar together with an electric mixer. Beat on medium speed for about 2-3 minutes, until the mixture is light, pale, and fluffy. This step incorporates air, contributing to the cookie’s texture. Next, add the large eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition, then stir in the vanilla extract.
Combine Mixtures: Gradually add the flour mixture to the wet sugar mixture. Mix on low speed until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough cookie bars. Finally, gently fold in the green sprinkles until they are evenly distributed throughout the dough.
Press and Bake: Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking dish. You can use your hands or the back of a spoon to spread it into an even layer. Bake for 25-27 minutes, or until the edges are lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out with moist crumbs. Do not overbake. Remove from the oven and allow the cookie bars to cool completely in the pan on a wire rack.
Prepare the Buttercream Frosting: While the cookie bars are cooling, prepare your delicious buttercream frosting. In a large bowl, place the softened unsalted butter. Using an electric hand mixer, gradually add the powdered sugar, a little at a time, mixing on low speed until fully incorporated. Once mixed, add the vanilla extract and 2 tablespoons of whole milk. Stir until combined, then increase the mixer speed to medium-high and whip for 3 minutes until the frosting is light, fluffy, and smooth. Add the remaining tablespoon of milk if needed to reach your desired consistency.
Color the Frosting: Scoop about ½ cup of the prepared buttercream frosting into a small separate bowl. To the larger amount of frosting, add green and a small amount of yellow gel food coloring (a touch of yellow helps achieve a more vibrant, Grinch-like green) and mix until you reach your desired shade of Grinch green. To the smaller bowl of frosting, add red gel food coloring and mix until you achieve a bright red.
Frost and Decorate: Once the cookie slab is completely cool, lift it out of the baking dish using the parchment paper overhang. Spread the vibrant green frosting evenly over the top of the cookie slab. Place the red frosting into a piping bag fitted with a number 12 round tip (or your chosen alternative). Cut the cookie slab into individual bars first, then pipe a small red heart onto the center of each bar. This method helps maintain neatness. Serve immediately and enjoy the festive delight!

Storage and Make-Ahead Tips

These Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars are wonderful for holiday entertaining because they can be made ahead of time. Here’s how to store them for optimal freshness:

Room Temperature: Store frosted Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3-4 days. Placing a piece of parchment paper between layers can prevent sticking if stacking.
Refrigeration: While not strictly necessary for short-term storage, if you prefer a firmer frosting or live in a very warm climate, you can refrigerate the frosted bars in an airtight container for up to a week. Let them come to room temperature for 15-20 minutes before serving for the best taste and texture.
Making Ahead: You can prepare the cookie bars a day in advance without frosting them. Once cooled, wrap the unfrosted slab tightly in plastic wrap and store at room temperature. Prepare the buttercream frosting and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Before serving, bring the frosting to room temperature (you might need to re-whip it for a minute to restore its fluffiness), then frost and decorate the cooled cookie bars.
Freezing (Unfrosted): To freeze the cookie bars, bake and cool them completely. Wrap the unfrosted slab tightly in plastic wrap, then again in aluminum foil. Freeze for up to 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then bring to room temperature before frosting and serving.
Freezing (Frosted): While possible, freezing frosted bars can sometimes affect the texture of the buttercream. If you do, place the frosted bars on a baking sheet and freeze until firm (about 1-2 hours). Once firm, transfer them to an airtight freezer-safe container, placing parchment paper between layers. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted?: Yes, you can, but you’ll want to reduce the added salt in the recipe. If using salted butter, reduce the 1/4 tsp of salt in the cookie dough to just a pinch (about 1/8 tsp) or omit it entirely, depending on your preference for saltiness.
What if I don’t have cornstarch?: Cornstarch is included to help achieve that wonderfully soft and chewy texture. If you don’t have it, you can omit it, but the bars might be slightly less tender. You could try substituting with an equal amount of all-purpose flour, but be aware it might slightly alter the texture.
My cookie bars came out dry, what happened?: Dry cookie bars are usually a sign of overbaking. Ovens can vary, so it’s always best to keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes of baking. They should be lightly golden at the edges and set in the center. Using room temperature ingredients and properly measuring flour can also prevent dryness.
How can I make the green color more vibrant?: For a truly vibrant Grinch green, always use gel food coloring, not liquid. Gel colors are more concentrated and won’t thin out your frosting. You can also add a tiny drop of yellow food coloring along with the green to give it a brighter, more distinct Grinch shade.
Can I use a different size baking pan?: This recipe is designed for a 9×13 inch baking dish. Using a different size will affect the baking time and thickness of the bars. If you use a smaller pan, the bars will be thicker and require more baking time. A larger pan will result in thinner bars that bake more quickly. Adjust baking time accordingly and watch for visual cues of doneness.

More Holiday Cookie Recipes You’ll Probably Enjoy

Looking for more delicious cookie inspiration for the holidays or any time of year? Explore these other fantastic recipes:

Soft Peanut Butter Cookies: A classic favorite, perfectly chewy and rich with peanut butter flavor.
Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies: Elevate your chocolate chip cookie game with the irresistible nutty notes of brown butter.
M&M Cookies: Colorful, fun, and delicious – a guaranteed hit with kids and adults alike.
Italian Lemon Ricotta Cookies: Light, tender, and subtly tangy, these cookies are a delightful treat.

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Grinch sugar cookie bar with green frosting and a red heart.

5 from 2 votes

Grinch Sugar Cookie Bars

By Julie Maestre

These Grinch sugar cookie bars are filled with festive green sprinkles and topped with a creamy buttercream frosting. A fun and delicious dessert that’s perfect for holiday celebrations!

Prep: 5 minutes

Cook: 25 minutes

Total: 30 minutes

Servings: 15

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Ingredients

Cookie Bars

▢ 4 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
▢ 1 tsp baking powder
▢ 1/4 tsp salt
▢ 1 tbsp cornstarch
▢ 1 cup unsalted butter , softened (2 sticks)
▢ 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
▢ 3 large eggs , room temperature
▢ 2 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 1/4 cup green sprinkles

Frosting

▢ 1/2 cup unsalted butter , softened (1 stick)
▢ 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
▢ 1 tsp vanilla extract
▢ 2-3 tbsp whole milk
▢ green gel food coloring
▢ red gel food coloring
▢ yellow gel food coloring

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Notes

Always allow the cookie bars to cool completely before frosting to prevent melting.
For easy heart decorations, use store-bought heart candies or red M&Ms as an alternative to piping.
If piping hearts, use a piping bag fitted with a number 12 round tip. For best results and to avoid smudging, cut the bars into individual portions before piping the hearts onto each.
These cookie bars can be made a day in advance. Store unfrosted bars in an airtight container at room temperature. Store buttercream frosting separately in an airtight container in the refrigerator and re-whip if needed before frosting and serving.

Nutrition

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Author: Julie Maestre

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: 15

Calories: 467

Keyword: Grinch Cookie Bars, Grinch Desserts, Sugar Cookie Bars, Holiday Dessert, Christmas Cookies

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