Sugar Cookie Bars

I love sugar cookies, but there is a lot of effort that goes into making them. This recipe makes it so much easier!! I like to bake mine for exactly 10 mins. They are a little under cooked, but I think that they are better that way. Don't bake any longer than 15 mins... They seem to dry out more while baking. Keep it to 10 -12 mins.

• Ready In: 25 mins
• Serves: 16
• Yields: 24 bars

Ingredients

• Bars

• 1  cup butter, at room temperature (I use half butter, half margarine.)
• 2  cups granulated sugar
• 4  large eggs
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon baking soda
• 5  cups flour

• Frosting

• 1⁄2 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1  teaspoon  almond extract
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1  pinch salt
• 4  cups powdered sugar
• 5  tablespoons milk
•  food coloring, if desired

Directions

1. Bars: In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt & baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.
3. Spread on a greased, rimmed baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 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.
4. Bake at 375 degrees for 10 mins - 15 mins, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I like to slightly under cook mine. I take them out at 10 minutes exactly. They are not brown at all, but I think that they are better this way.).
5. Cool completely before frosting.
6. Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter, vanilla, almond extract and salt.
7. Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until combined.
8. add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency.
9. Add a few drops of color, if desired.
10. Spread over cooled cookie, then cut into bars.