Christmas Notebook

DD had a sports awards night to attend at school, and we were to take a dozen cookies. I saw Sugar Cookie Bars at Anissa’s Kitchen and decided to give them a try. They are also posted on My Baking Addiction. Click on her link to see how cute hers are! A little more trouble than simply frosting the entire sheet of cookies as a whole, but don’t they look yummy?

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter; room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla and mix well.

In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda. Stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased 13 x 18 baking sheet.

The dough was stiff. I added two tablespoons of water to the dough as it was mixing, as it seemed too dry to me. I sprinkled flour over the top of the dough after placing it on the greased cookie sheet, so it was easier to spread with my fingers. I patted it out to fit the pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. I baked it for 13 minutes. That was perfect. It passed the taste test, by the way…DD and I both checked…just to be on the safe side…

Cool completely and frost. I used a piping bag and a star tip to squiggle a line of frosting on each bar.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter; room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp clear vanilla [I used almond extract.]
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

Combine butter and shortening until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar, a cup at a time, until combined. Add milk and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. Spread over cooled cookie. Top with sprinkles.

This is an easy treat to make and one that travels well to a potluck or, as in our case, a sports awards night at school. 🙂

~~Rhonda