Looking for a simple versatile treat to bake for get togethers then look no further, this recipe is amazing. These delectable bars are the perfect treat with minimal effort. You get the amazing soft buttery sugar cookie without the hassle of having to roll out the dough and cut out each individual shape.
These little bars of deliciousness are perfect for parties, in fact I decided to bake these for a neighbor’s Superbowl party last weekend and they were an absolute hit with both the kiddos and adults. I decided to make the frosting pink since it was so close to Valentine’s day and I literally shuddered at the images in my head of kids running around my neighbor’s beautiful house with dark blue and orange frosted (Go Broncos!) hands and faces.
The bars are sweet but not overly sweet with a delicious blend of Vanilla and Almond flavoring. The amount of frosting this recipe makes is perfect, just enough to cover the entire pan of cookie. I am not a big fan of massive amounts of icing (although my daughter will beg to differ, that is all she eats off of cupcakes!) there is a nice thin layer once done spreading it out. Have fun with food coloring and sprinkles for different holidays and occasions.
Enjoy!
Ingredients for the Sugar Cookie bars:
- 1/2 Cup butter, softened
- 1 Cup sugar
- 1 Egg
- 1 Egg white
- 1 1/2 Tablespoons sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 1 teaspoon almond extract
- 2 1/2 Cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Ingredients for the frosting:
- 1/4 Cup butter, softened
- 2 Cups powdered sugar
- 2-3 Tablespoons half and half
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- food coloring (optional)
- sprinkles (optional)
Preheat oven to 375.
Line a 9 x 13 pan with foil and spray lightly with cooking spray. I personally used my Demarle at Home silicone 9×13 baking tray.
Using your stand mixer, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
Add the egg and egg white, sour cream, vanilla, and almond extract, and mix until well combined.
Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt to form a crumbly dough. Press the dough into the prepared pan to form an even layer (the dough can be pretty sticky so I found it easier to use a spatula sprayed with cooking spray to spread the dough out evenly.
Poke the dough every few inches with a fork so it will bake evenly.
Bake17-20 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges then cool completely.
To make the frosting, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until light and fluffy. Add the vanilla, salt, and food coloring, and beat again until fluffy. If your frosting is a bit dry keep adding half and half a tiny bit at a time until it has reached a desired consistency.
Spread over cooled cookies and add sprinkles. Cut into squares and enjoy!
Adapted from The Baker Upstairs