Sugar Cookie Bars

When trying to think of a new recipe to take to a family gathering I stumbled across these sugar cookie bars I had starred in my Google Reader.  These sugar cookie bars are quite the rage lately, but I couldn't pass blogging them as well.  These were out of this world amazing and I already can't wait to make more.  They remind me of the thick sugar cookies with gobs of frosting that you can buy prepackaged at Sam's Club - only better!  The only change I'll make to these in the future is to not thin out the frosting as much as I did - and maybe use a little smaller of a jelly roll pan, or make a little extra frosting so that it's a bit thicker.  Additionally, to flavor slightly, use other extracts instead of vanilla (such as Almond, lemon juice, etc.)  I do love being able to easily tweak a recipe for variety :)

Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients:

For the Cookie

1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature

2 cups granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

4 large eggs

5 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

For the Frosting

1 cup butter, at room temperature

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch of salt

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

5 tablespoons milk

food coloring, if desired

Directions:

In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.  Mix in vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl sift together flour, salt, and baking soda.  Slowly add to butter mixture and mix until just combined.  Great a large rimmed baking sheet (13x18 or 10x15).  Gently and evenly spread out batter onto sheet.  

Bake at 375 for 10-20 minutes, until light golden brown and a toothpick comes out clean.  (I've seen recipes ranging from 10 - 25 minutes across the board - mine took 13).  Allow to cool completely before frosting.

To prepare frosting, in a large bowl, beat butter until fluffy.  Mix in vanilla and salt.  Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until combined, then add milk and mix until smooth and spreadable.  Add a few drops of color if desired.  Spread over cooled cookie, then cut in to bars.  

Source: Love and Olive Oil, originally from Recipe Girl