Sugar Cookie Bars

Wouldn't these make the most perfect dessert for you family or sweetheart tonight? Well that is what my sister Aimee did for her family. She said, "The best part about these bars, besides their simplicity, is that every bite is like eating the center of a sugar cookie which happens to be my favorite bite." I think we can all agree that that is THE best bite of the sugar cookie! And you don't have to mess around with rolling them out and shaping them. Just make the dough and through it in your pan and you are good to go! So simple! Try this delicious recipe today!

 Makes a ton!

 So perfect for Valentine's Day, love the tri-colors! We used a buttercream frosting instead of the cream cheese frosting, but use whichever you like!

 Mmmmm!

Sugar Cookie Bars
recipe from The Girl Who Ate Everything, original source BreeAnn Fankhauser


Cookies
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

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, baking soda and stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean (they won't look done so do the toothpick test). Cool completely and frost.


Buttercream Frosting
1/3 c butter, softened
4 1/2 cups sifted, powdered sugar
1/4 cup milk
1 1/2 tsp vanilla


Beat butter until very fluffy. Gradually add 2 cups powdered, sifted sugar. Beat well. Slowly beat in the milk and vanilla. Slowly beat in remaining powdered sugar. If desired, tint with food coloring.
Cream Cheese Frosting
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 of an 8 oz block) softened 
1 tsp vanilla (I used almond extract for half of the frosting)
¼ tsp salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

For frosting combine butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk a little at a time and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. You may not need all the milk! Spread over cooled cookie bars.