Sugar Cookies Made Easy

Christmas is only 5 months away from today.  Have you started your shopping yet?  Just kidding.  I'm a classic procrastinator. While I have the best of intentions, every year, I find myself standing in line on Christmas Eve for one more gift.  You'd think I'd learn.  Given that the Christmas rush is on (wink), it got me thinking about Christmas cookies today.  I have a insatiable sweet-tooth so there aren't very many cookies that I've met that I didn't like.  However, there is something about a frosted, sprinkled sugar cookie.  Did I mention that I'm a procrastinator?  I think I did.  So by the time I set out to make them, I was running short on time.  Can I tell you how happy I was to find these amazing Sugar Cookie Bars?  Problem solved!  It took no time at all to throw these together.  Try them.  You won't be disappointed.  Happy Holidays! ;-)

Here's what you'll need for the cookies:


1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda


Here's what you'll need for the frosting:

1/2 cup butter; at room temperature
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp almond extract
pinch of salt
2 cups powdered sugar (sift after measuring)
3 Tbsp. milk
food coloring, if desired

Prepare bars: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla.

In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt & baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased, rimmed baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). The dough will be just like cookie dough- heavy & sticky- so you might to spray your hands with a little nonstick spray and use them to help mold the dough into the pan.

Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.

Prepare frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter until smooth and creamy. Mix in vanilla, almond flavoring and salt. Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until combined, then add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency. Add a few drops of color, if desired. Spread over cooled cookie, then cut into bars.

Yield: 32 bars

Tips:
*Refrigerate the bars until firm… it will be easier to get nice, clean cuts.

Adapted from a Grin and Bake It recipe.   I only changed the frosting, mainly because I didn't have enough powdered sugar. Still very yummy!