Sugar Cookie Bars

We LOVE these delicious, soft, wonderful cookie bars.  My students do to, in fact they request these almost as often as cupcakes.  They are a quick and easy alternative to both sugar cookies and cupcakes and we make them often.  There are several versions of these floating around the internet.  I've tried several and we liked the texture and taste of this one from A Little Bit of Crunchy the best.

Sugar Cookie Bars



1 c butter, room temp (I bake with unsalted)

2 c sugar

4 eggs

1 t vanilla

1 t almond extract

5 c flour

1 t salt

1/2 t baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.

Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after adding each egg.

Mix dry ingredients in a separate bowl.

Add flavorings to the butter and sugar, mix.

Slowly add in dry ingredients.  Don't over beat at this point or they lose their soft texture.

Press into a jelly roll pan  (I use a 12 x 18 pan).

Bake at 375 for 10 - 15 minutes. 

Cool and frost.

Frosting -

1/2 c butter, room temperature

1/2 c shortening

1 t vanilla (or almond extract)

pinch of salt

4 c powdered sugar

5 T milk

food coloring and sprinkles of your choice

Beat butter and shortening until creamy.

Add vanilla (almond) and powdered sugar.  Mix well.

Gradually add milk until frosting reaches your desired consistency.

Add food coloring if desired and top with sprinkles. 

Chill before cutting.