Name: Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 35 min
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 ¾ cups (350 g / 12.35 ounces) all-purpose flour; 1 cup (225 g / 8 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup (200 g / 7.05 ounces) granulated sugar; ½ cup (100 g / 3.5 ounces) powdered sugar; 2 large eggs; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; ½ teaspoon peppermint extract; 1 teaspoon baking powder; ½ teaspoon baking soda; ¼ teaspoon salt; ½ cup (115 g / 4 ounces) unsalted butter, softened; 3 cups (375 g / 13.23 ounces) powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons heavy cream (or milk); ½ teaspoon peppermint extract; 12 drops red food coloring (optional, for a festive pink hue); ¼ cup crushed candy canes or peppermint candies

Sweet memories of holiday baking come flooding back with these delightful peppermint sugar cookie bars that melt in your mouth.

Crisp edges and soft centers promise a delectable treat for anyone who loves seasonal desserts.

Festive peppermint adds a cool twist to classic sugar cookies, creating a perfect winter indulgence.

Minimal ingredients and simple steps make this recipe a breeze for home bakers of all skill levels.

Each square delivers a burst of minty freshness that dances across your taste buds.

Fragrant and inviting, these bars will become an instant favorite at gatherings and cozy nights in.

You won’t be able to resist cutting just one more slice of this irresistible seasonal delight.

Chill Dough for Better Texture: Refrigerate the cookie dough for 30 minutes before pressing into the pan to prevent spreading and create a more compact, dense bar.
Prevent Overbaking: Check the bars at 16 minutes and remove when edges are golden but center is slightly soft to ensure a moist, tender texture.
Master Smooth Frosting: Use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread frosting evenly, creating a professional-looking finish with clean edges.
Customize Peppermint Intensity: Adjust peppermint extract to taste, starting with less and adding more gradually to control the mint flavor's strength.
Store Smartly: Keep bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days, separating layers with parchment paper to prevent sticking.

Store leftover peppermint sugar cookie bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Place parchment paper between layers to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen bars maintain quality for 2-3 months.
Remove frozen bars from the freezer and let them sit at room temperature for 30-45 minutes before serving. Avoid microwaving to preserve texture.
Enjoy bars slightly chilled or at room temperature. For best taste and texture, consume within a week of baking.

Serve alongside rich, creamy hot chocolate topped with marshmallows for a cozy winter treat that amplifies the peppermint's cool, refreshing essence.
Complement the sweet bars with a smooth peppermint mocha or vanilla latte, allowing the coffee's warmth to balance the cookie's minty freshness.
Enjoy with a glass of chilled moscato or sweet dessert wine, which will enhance the cookie's sweetness and provide a sophisticated adult pairing.
Pair with cold whole milk or an almond milk variant to cut through the richness and provide a smooth, cooling contrast to the peppermint flavor.

Gluten-Free Peppermint Bars: Swap regular flour with a gluten-free blend, ensuring all ingredients are certified gluten-free for celiac or gluten-sensitive individuals.
Vegan Candy Cane Squares: Replace butter with coconut oil, use egg substitutes like applesauce or flax eggs, and create dairy-free frosting with plant-based butter and non-dairy milk.
Low-Sugar Holiday Treat: Substitute granulated sugar with monk fruit sweetener or stevia, reducing overall sugar content while maintaining sweet peppermint flavor.
Chocolate Mint Variation: Add cocoa powder to the cookie base and incorporate dark chocolate chips for a rich, decadent mint chocolate experience.

Effortlessly create delicious peppermint sugar cookie bars with minimal kitchen skills and basic ingredients.
Whip up a crowd-pleasing dessert perfect for holiday gatherings, Christmas parties, or winter celebrations.
Prepare these bars in under an hour, from mixing to serving, making them ideal for last-minute sweet cravings.
Easily adaptable for different occasions, from casual get-togethers to elegant dessert tables, with a delightful peppermint twist.

Cookie Base Ingredients:

Butter: Rich and creamy base for soft cookie texture, room temperature works best.
Granulated Sugar, Powdered Sugar: Sweet foundation that helps create tender cookies.
Eggs: Provide structure and moisture to the cookie bars.
Vanilla Extract: Classic flavor enhancer for baked goods.
Peppermint Extract: Adds refreshing mint flavor to the cookies.

Dry Ingredients:

All-Purpose Flour: Structural component of the cookie bars, provides necessary texture.
Baking Powder, Baking Soda: Leavening agents that help cookies rise and become light.
Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances overall flavor profile.

Frosting and Topping Ingredients:

Butter: Creamy base for smooth frosting, softened to room temperature.
Powdered Sugar: Creates smooth, sweet frosting consistency.
Heavy Cream: Adds richness and helps achieve perfect frosting texture.
Red Food Coloring: Optional, provides festive holiday appearance.
Candy Canes: Crunchy peppermint topping for decorative and flavor contrast.

Step 1: Preheat and Prepare Baking Pan

Warm the oven to 350F. Grab a 9×13-inch pan and line it with parchment paper or give it a generous butter coating.

Step 2: Create Cookie Dough Base

In a large mixing bowl, blend:

Softened butter
Granulated sugar
Powdered sugar

Whip until the mixture looks light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla extract, and peppermint extract. Mix thoroughly.

Step 3: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a separate bowl, combine:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Baking soda
Salt

Gently fold dry ingredients into wet mixture until just combined.

Step 4: Bake Cookie Base

Press dough evenly into prepared pan. Slide into preheated oven and bake for 18-20 minutes. Look for golden edges and a set center. Remove and let cool completely.

Step 5: Craft Peppermint Frosting

In another bowl, beat butter until creamy. Gradually add:

Powdered sugar
Heavy cream

Blend until smooth and fluffy. Stir in peppermint extract and red food coloring if desired.

Step 6: Decorate and Finish

Spread frosting evenly across cooled cookie base. Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for extra holiday cheer.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Cut into squares or rectangles with a sharp knife. Enjoy immediately or store in an airtight container.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Adjust the salt in the recipe by reducing or omitting the added salt. Salted butter can slightly change the overall flavor profile of the cookie bars.

How do I prevent the bars from becoming too dry?

Do not overmix the dough and avoid overbaking. Take the bars out of the oven when the edges are lightly golden and the center is just set. This ensures a soft, moist texture.

Is there a substitute for peppermint extract?

You can use mint extract as an alternative, though the flavor will be slightly different. For a non-mint option, try almond or vanilla extract for a different taste profile.

How fine should I crush the candy canes?

Crush them into small, uneven pieces for the best texture. Use a rolling pin or food processor to create a mix of fine and slightly larger candy cane fragments for visual and textural interest.

Daves Miller

Contributing Chef & Culinary Educator

Expertise

American Southern cuisine with a modern twist.
Instruction in culinary fundamentals and advanced techniques.
Development of recipes that highlight seasonal and local produce.
Mastery of artisanal bread and pastry techniques, from laminated doughs to decorative sugar artistry.

Education

Sullivan University, Louisville, Kentucky

Degree: Associate of Science Degree in Culinary Arts
Focus: Specialized in cooking techniques and culinary sciences, hands‑on externships, professional kitchen lab training, and career preparation for restaurants, entrepreneurship, and global culinary opportunities.

White Mountains Community College, Berlin, New Hampshire

Program: Baking and Pastry Arts degree
Focus: Specialized in comprehensive baking and pastry arts, including bread making, artisan breads, cake decorating and design, chocolates, confections, and decorative centerpieces; product development and baking theory; and career preparation for baker and pastry chef roles in many places.

Daves is the friendly face guiding you through flavorful, fuss-free recipes at Picture Perfect Meals.

He studied culinary arts at Sullivan University and embraced Baking and Pastry Arts at White Mountains Community College. Daves specializes in comforting meals with vibrant flavors, highlighting fresh, seasonal ingredients.