Soft + Moist High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars (Lower Calorie, Gluten Free, and Holiday-Ready)

Makes: 12 Servings
Per Serving: 11g Protein | 185 Cal

Jump to Recipe

If you’ve been craving a classic Christmas sugar cookie—but want something softer, thicker, more satisfying, and packed with high-quality protein—these High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars are about to be your new holiday staple.

Most sugar cookie bars are buttery, dense, and loaded with sugar. Delicious? Of course.
But great for women trying to hit their protein goals, support muscle, or stay on track during the holidays? Not really.

This version gives you everything you love about soft, bakery-style sugar cookies—
the moist crumb, subtle vanilla-almond flavor, melt-in-your-mouth texture—
without the heavy macros. Each bar delivers more protein, far fewer calories, and that perfect festive sweetness.

These bars are ideal for:

• High-protein holiday baking

• Lower-calorie desserts

• Gluten-free treats

• Women focused on fat loss or muscle maintenance

• Anyone wanting a simple, one-bowl holiday dessert

Why These High-Protein Sugar Cookie Bars Work

These bars check off all the boxes your audience searches for in December:

1. Soft, moist, bakery-style texture

The blend of Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, and cream cheese adds moisture without loading up on butter and oil.

2. Higher protein than traditional sugar cookie bars

Using a whey–casein protein blend helps replicate the chew of real bakery sugar cookies while boosting satiety.

3. Lower in sugar + gluten free

Almond flour gives these bars structure while keeping carbs and calories lower than traditional all-purpose flour bakes.

4. Easy holiday dessert for busy women

It’s quick, one bowl, and doesn’t require chilling dough or rolling anything out.

5. Perfect for gifting or bringing to parties

They slice beautifully, hold up well at room temperature, and taste indulgent without derailing anyone’s goals.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Wet Ingredients

• 2 large eggs

• ⅓ cup low-fat cottage cheese (blended smooth)
  Shortcut: Skip the cottage cheese and use ½ cup Greek yogurt + increase milk to 2 tbsp

• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (0–2%)

• 2 oz cream cheese, softened

• 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled

• ⅓ cup brown sugar

• 1¼ tsp vanilla extract

• 1 tbsp milk of choice

• Optional: ⅛ tsp almond extract (this is what makes them taste like true bakery sugar cookies)

Dry Ingredients

• 1½ cups almond flour

• ½ cup (45–60g) vanilla whey–casein blend
  or 45g vanilla whey + 15g casein

• 1½ tsp baking powder

• ¼ tsp salt

• Optional: Shristmas jimmies (sprinkles)

High-Protein Sugar Cookie Frosting (Optional but recommended)

• 3 oz cream cheese

• ¼ cup Greek yogurt

• ½ scoop vanilla protein powder

• 2–4 tbsp powdered monk fruit

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

• pinch of salt

How to Make Soft + Moist High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.

2. Line an 8×8 (thicker bars) or 9×9 (slightly thinner) pan with parchment.

3. Lightly spray the pan.

4. In a blender, bowl, or with an immersion blender, mix until completely smooth: Greek yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla, milk, butter, brown sugar. Make sure all curds are blended out.

5. Pour the blended mixture into a bowl (if you didn’t blend in one), and whisk in 2 eggs. Whisk until just combined—don’t overmix.

6. In a separate bowl, whisk together: almond flour, whey–casein protein, baking powder, and salt

7. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The batter should be thick, smooth, and similar to brownie batter.

8. Spread evenly inside the pan.

9. Bake for 18–22 minutes. (8×8 pan = slightly longer, 9×9 pan = slightly shorter)

10. In a small bowl combine frosting ingredients and beat until smooth!

11. Once the edges are set and the center looks slightly underbaked, you can remove it from the oven. This is exactly what gives you that ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They will finish setting as they cool.

12. Cool completely! This is important. Warm bars will seem too soft, but once cooled, they become perfectly moist and tender.

13. Spread the frosting over the top and add your Christmas jimmies!

Nutrition Info (Per Square - Makes 12 Servings)

• Calories: 185

• Protein: 11g

• Carbs: 10g

• Fat: 11g

Nutrition Benefits for Women (Why These Bars Support Your Goals)

These bars aren’t just a lighter dessert—they actually align with many women’s holiday nutrition goals:

Higher protein = better fullness + muscle retention

Protein enhances satiety and helps stabilize blood sugar, which reduces overeating—the #1 struggle this time of year.

Lower sugar than traditional sugar cookies

A modest amount of brown sugar creates the classic flavor without sending calories sky-high.

Greek yogurt + cottage cheese add volume and protein

These create moistness without heavy fats.

Almond flour keeps them gluten free

This makes the bars naturally lower in carbs and higher in healthy fats, which can help slow digestion and improve fullness.

Tips for Perfect High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

• Don’t overbake—pull them when they look slightly underdone.

• Use a whey–casein blend for the best soft cookie texture.

• Chill before slicing if you want clean edges.

• Swap brown sugar for monk fruit brown to lower sugar even more.

• Use 8×8 for extra thick and soft bars (highly recommended).

Variations

Dairy-free option

• Use dairy-free cream cheese

• Skip whey/casein and use a plant blend

• Use coconut oil instead of butter

FAQs

• Are high-protein sugar cookie bars good for weight loss?

  They can be. These bars have more protein and fewer calories than traditional sugar cookies, making them more filling and easier to fit into a calorie-conscious holiday plan.

• Why use whey–casein blend instead of just whey?

  Casein helps create a soft, chewy texture. Whey alone can make baked goods dry or rubbery.

• Do I need the almond extract?

  It’s optional, but it's what gives these bars that classic bakery-style sugar cookie flavor.

• What should I serve alongside these juicy turkey burgers?

  Try pairing these burgers with a green salad, roasted veggies, raw veggies, sweet potato fries, or even a few chips. (Pro tip: the chipotle mayo is a great dipping sauce for sweet potato fries or raw veggies!)

Serving + Storing

• Store in the fridge up to 5 days

• Freeze unfrosted bars up to 2 months

• Best served chilled or at room temperature

Try These High-Protein Holiday Recipes Next

• High-Protein Gingerbread French Toast Casserole

• Christmas Cookie Brittle

• Peppermint Hot Cocoa

• Peppermint Chocoalte Protein Balls

Print

With ImageWithout Image

Soft + Moist High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars (Lower Calorie, Gluten Free, and Holiday-Ready)

Yield: 12 squares

Author: Ashley aka The Protein Snack Queen

Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 22 MinTotal time: 32 Min

These Soft + Moist High-Protein Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars taste like classic bakery sugar cookies—soft, thick, buttery, and perfectly sweet—but with lighter ingredients and a boost of protein to support your goals during the holidays. Made with almond flour, Greek yogurt, and a whey–casein blend, these gluten-free sugar cookie bars deliver a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture without the heavy calories of traditional recipes. They’re easy to make, macro-friendly, and ideal for anyone looking for a healthier holiday dessert that doesn’t sacrifice flavor. Perfect for Christmas parties, gifting, or a high-protein treat that fits seamlessly into a weight-loss or muscle-building routine.

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• ⅓ cup low-fat cottage cheese (blended smooth)
• Shortcut: Skip the cottage cheese and use ½ cup Greek yogurt + increase milk to 2 tbsp
• ¼ cup plain Greek yogurt (0–2%)
• 2 oz cream cheese, softened
• 2 tbsp butter, melted and cooled
• ⅓ cup brown sugar
• 1¼ tsp vanilla extract
• 1 tbsp milk of choice
• Optional: ⅛ tsp almond extract (this is what makes them taste like true bakery sugar cookies)
• 1½ cups almond flour
• ½ cup (45–60g) vanilla whey–casein blend
• or 45g vanilla whey + 15g casein
• 1½ tsp baking powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• Optional: Christmas jimmies/sprinkles

Sugar Cookie Frosting

• 3 oz cream cheese
• ¼ cup Greek yogurt
• ½ scoop vanilla protein powder
• 2–4 tbsp powdered monk fruit
• ½ tsp vanilla extract
• pinch of salt

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
2. Line an 8×8 (thicker bars) or 9×9 (slightly thinner) pan with parchment.
3. Lightly spray the pan.
4. In a blender, bowl, or with an immersion blender, mix until completely smooth: Greek yogurt, cream cheese, vanilla, milk, butter, brown sugar. Make sure all curds are blended out.
5. Pour the blended mixture into a bowl (if you didn’t blend in one), and whisk in 2 eggs. Whisk until just combined—don’t overmix.
6. In a separate bowl, whisk together: almond flour, whey–casein protein, baking powder, and salt
7. Fold the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients. The batter should be thick, smooth, and similar to brownie batter.
8. Spread evenly inside the pan.
9. Bake for 18–22 minutes. (8×8 pan = slightly longer, 9×9 pan = slightly shorter)
10. In a small bowl combine all of the frosting ingredients until smooth. Set aside.
11. Once the edges are set and the center looks slightly underbaked, you can remove it from the oven. This is exactly what gives you that ultra-soft, melt-in-your-mouth texture. They will finish setting as they cool.
12. Cool completely! This is important. Warm bars will seem too soft, but once cooled, they become perfectly moist and tender.
13. Spread the frosting over the top and top with Christmas jimmies!

Nutrition Facts

Calories

185

Fat

11 g

Carbs

10 g

Protein

11 g