Preheat Oven: Start by preheating your oven to 350°F (175°C). This ensures your Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars bake evenly and come out perfectly!

Prepare the Pan: Line a 9x9 inch baking pan with parchment paper to prevent sticking and make cleanup a breeze.

Cream Butter and Sugar: In a mixing bowl, cream the softened butter and sugar together until fluffy and light in color. This usually takes about 2-3 minutes.

Add Wet Ingredients: Beat in the large egg and vanilla extract, mixing well until combined and smooth. This adds a delicious, warm flavor to your bars.

Mix Dry Ingredients: Gradually add the all-purpose flour and baking powder to the wet mixture, stirring until a thick dough forms. Be careful not to overmix!

Fold in Sprinkles: Gently mix in the festive sprinkles, allowing them to fold into the dough without breaking.

Spread and Bake: Spread the batter evenly into the prepared pan. Bake for 20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown, and a toothpick comes out clean from the center.

Cool Completely: Let the bars cool completely in the pan before frosting to ensure a smooth finish.

Prepare the Frosting: In a new bowl, blend powdered sugar, softened butter, cream cheese, vanilla extract, and milk until smooth. Adjust with more milk if necessary for the perfect consistency.

Frost and Decorate: Once the bars are cool, spread the frosting generously on top and feel free to add additional sprinkles for that festive touch.

Cut and Serve: Slice the bars into squares, and they're ready to be enjoyed! You can serve them right away or let the frosting set for a firmer texture.