Sugar Cookie Bars

• servings: 12 servings
• active time: 10 minutes
• total time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

3/4 cup sugar

1 whole egg

1 tsp. vanilla extract

1/2 tsp. almond extract

3 Tbsp. cream cheese; softened

1 tsp. baking powder

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/4 cup butter; softened

2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp. milk

1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a 9 x 9-inch baking pan with parchment paper and set aside.

In a large bowl with a hand or stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and sugar until fluffy, then add the egg, vanilla extract, almond extract, and cream cheese until combined. Be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Slowly add in the flour and baking powder until a thick cookie dough batter has formed. Be sure not to overmix.

Spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan and evenly spread with a spatula. Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until set and the top is a light golden brown. Let cool for a few minutes.

In the meantime, you can make the frosting. In a medium bowl, beat together the butter, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract. Add more milk if the frosting is too thick and you can add more powdered sugar if the frosting isn't thick enough.

Once cooled, spread the frosting generously on top of the cookie bars. Top with sprinkles, and cut into 16 square bars. Enjoy!