Monday, February 13, 2012

Soft Sugar Cookie Bars



I just made these on Sunday and they were seriously so YUMMY!!!! It was so easy and it didn't take long at all. Bake them exactly how the recipe says and take them out to cool. I waited to frost mine until Sunday and made them on Saturday night.
For the bars:

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 cup butter, room temperature

8 oz cream cheese, room temperature

1 egg

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 1/2 cups flour

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder


For the frosting:


1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

4 cups powdered sugar

Pinch of salt

6 tablespoons heavy cream


1. Preheat oven to 350. 
Line a jelly roll pan (15 x 10 x 1) with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

2. In a mixer, cream butter, cream cheese and sugar together. Add in egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated.


3. With mixer on low, add flour, baking powder and baking soda.
Mix until just combined.

4. Press dough evenly into your prepared pan. The dough will be sticky.


5. Bake for 20 minutes until edges begin to golden.
Cool completely before frosting.

6. To make the frosting, cream together the butter and vanilla. Slowly beat in the powdered sugar and the pinch of salt. Once smooth and creamy, add in heavy cream, 1 tablespoon at a time, then beat at medium-high speed for a minute or two until light and fluffy. If desired, add food coloring and beat until combined (I used neon pink).