Sugar Cookie Bars

I was craving these a couple weeks back and we made them for family night.  They make a TON, so it was perfect for taking a plate to a new family in our neighborhood, as well.

Sugar Cookie Bars (originally from Char Mills and posted on my sister's blog)

1 cup 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

1. 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.

2. 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/jelly roll pan). The dough will be just like cookie dough- heavy & sticky- so it’s best to spray your hands with a little nonstick spray and use them to help mold the dough into the pan.

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

Frosting (Which is the real key to these!)

8 oz cream cheese

4-5 cups powdered sugar

1/2 tsp vanilla

1/2 cup butter

1/2 tsp almond extract or vanilla

Food coloring/Sprinkles

Yumm!

Oh, and a side note.  Anybody else buy things at the store before checking to see if they already have some??

Oops.