Name: Peppermint Sugar Cookie Bars Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: PT-486372H45M58S
Total time: PT-486372H45M58S
Yield: 16
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour; 1 cup unsalted butter, softened; 1 cup granulated sugar; 1 large egg; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract; 1/2 teaspoon baking powder; 1/2 teaspoon salt; 1/2 cup crushed candy canes; 1/2 cup white chocolate chips

Sweet and festive peppermint sugar cookie bars promise a delightful twist on classic holiday treats.

Soft, chewy textures meld perfectly with cool mint notes dancing through each bite.

Crumbly edges hint at the magical combination waiting inside your kitchen.

Seasonal baking brings warmth and joy to cold winter afternoons.

Crisp peppermint pieces scattered across golden-brown surfaces create visual excitement for anyone walking near the cooling rack.

Colorful crushed candy canes sprinkled on top add a playful crunch that makes these bars irresistible.

You can’t help but smile when these delectable squares emerge from the oven, filling the space with nostalgic aromas.

Bake these and watch faces light up with pure winter happiness.

Celebrate Holiday Cheer: Burst with festive peppermint flavors that instantly transport you to cozy winter gatherings and joyful Christmas moments.
Quick Kitchen Magic: Requires minimal prep and baking skills, perfect for bakers of all levels who want a delicious treat without complicated techniques.
Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: Combines beloved sugar cookie texture with white chocolate and candy cane crunch, making it irresistible for kids and adults alike.
Versatile Party Treat: Great for holiday parties, potlucks, cookie exchanges, or as a delightful homemade gift that everyone will adore and remember.

Cookie Base:

All-Purpose Flour: A staple ingredient that provides structure and texture to the sugar cookie bars.
Granulated Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a tender, soft cookie base.
Butter: Creates a rich, creamy foundation with a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth quality.

Flavor Enhancers:

Egg: Binds the ingredients together and contributes to the bar's soft texture.
Vanilla Extract, Peppermint Extract: Adds depth of flavor with classic sweet and cool mint notes.

Festive Mix-Ins:

White Chocolate Chips, Crushed Candy Canes: Provide delightful bursts of sweet white chocolate and refreshing peppermint crunch throughout the bars.

Binding and Leavening:

Baking Powder, Salt: Ensures proper rising and balances the sweetness of the cookie bars.

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven

Set your oven to 350F (175C) and prepare a 9×13-inch baking pan by lightly greasing its surface to prevent sticking.

Step 2: Create a Creamy Base

In a spacious mixing bowl, whip butter and sugar together until the mixture becomes soft, airy, and turns a pale color.

Step 3: Blend Liquid Ingredients

Add these ingredients to your creamy base:

Egg
Vanilla extract
Peppermint extract

Stir until everything is smoothly combined.

Step 4: Mix Dry Components

In a separate bowl, blend together:

All-purpose flour
Baking powder
Salt

Slowly incorporate these dry ingredients into your wet mixture, stirring until a consistent dough forms.

Step 5: Enhance with Festive Touches

Gently fold into the dough:

Crushed candy canes
White chocolate chips

Distribute these delightful additions evenly throughout the mixture.

Step 6: Prepare for Baking

Transfer the dough into the greased baking pan, pressing it down to create an even layer across the entire surface.

Step 7: Bake to Perfection

Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes. Look for lightly golden edges as a sign of readiness.

Step 8: Cool and Slice

Remove from the oven and let the baked treat cool completely before cutting into delectable bars.

Crush candy canes finely for even distribution and better texture throughout the bars.
Use room temperature butter and egg to ensure smooth, well-blended batter and consistent mixing.
For a gluten-free version, swap regular flour with a cup-for-cup gluten-free baking blend.
Add extra peppermint extract for more intense flavor, but start with small increments to avoid overwhelming taste.
Line the baking pan with parchment paper for easier removal and clean cutting of sugar cookie bars.

Chocolate Peppermint Swirl: Add cocoa powder to the base dough and create a marbled effect by swirling chocolate and vanilla layers before baking.
Gluten-Free Candy Cane: Replace regular flour with almond or gluten-free flour blend, maintaining the same peppermint and white chocolate chip profile.
Festive Holiday Sprinkle: Mix holiday-themed sprinkles into the dough and top the bars with a light peppermint glaze for extra seasonal flair.
No-Bake Frozen Version: Transform the recipe into a chilled dessert by using a graham cracker crust, mixing the ingredients without eggs, and freezing until firm.

Perfect Pairings for Peppermint Bars

Pair with Festive Peppermint Hot Chocolate: Craft a rich, creamy hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and crushed candy canes to complement the sweet and minty cookie bars.
Serve alongside Vanilla Bean Ice Cream: Scoop cold, smooth vanilla bean ice cream next to the warm cookie bars for a delightful temperature and flavor contrast that enhances the peppermint notes.
Match with Sparkling White Wine: Choose a light, slightly sweet sparkling white wine like Moscato d'Asti to harmonize with the cookie's sweet and refreshing peppermint profile.
Enjoy with Cinnamon Chai Latte: Brew a warm, spicy chai latte that balances the cookie's sweetness with its aromatic and complex flavor undertones.

Store cooled bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Layer between parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Wrap individual bars tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Freeze for up to 3 months for maximum freshness.
Keep bars in a sealed container at room temperature for 2-3 days, ensuring they remain covered to maintain softness.
Warm briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds or let thaw naturally at room temperature before serving for best texture and flavor.

Can I use salted butter instead of unsalted butter?

Yes, but reduce the added salt in the recipe to prevent the bars from becoming too salty.

How do I crush candy canes without making a mess?

Place candy canes in a sealed plastic bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the back of a heavy spoon.

Can I make these bars gluten-free?

Substitute the all-purpose flour with a gluten-free flour blend that contains xanthan gum for best results.

How can I tell if the bars are fully baked?

Look for lightly golden edges and a slightly firm center. A toothpick inserted should come out with a few moist crumbs.

Samantha Lee

Recipe Developer & Content Creator

Expertise

Plant-based and vegetarian recipes, Recipe testing and development, Food blogging and digital content creation, Culinary education and workshops

Education

Oregon Culinary Institute (Portland, OR)

Program: Diploma in Culinary Arts
Focus: Emphasized plant-based cooking, global cuisines, and recipe testing methodologies.

Samantha sees cooking like painting, every fresh herb, every juicy tomato, a new splash of color on a canvas.
After graduating from Oregon Culinary Institute, she blended her love of global cuisines and plant-based cooking into recipes that feel fresh, fearless, and full of heart.
Samantha’s kitchen is a place where comfort food gets a modern remix and every meal feels like a little adventure. When she’s not cooking, she’s out exploring farmers’ markets, sketching new recipe ideas, or getting her hands dirty in a community garden.