Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

 I had to make these cookie bars two times. The first time I made them they were gone within a few hours, too quick for me to take pictures. So..... I had to make them again. My family didn't mind. :)

To make these sugar cookie bars, you will need:

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 tablespoon sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla or almond extract
• 3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt

Start out by preheating your oven to 375 degrees. Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Mix in the eggs. Add in the sour cream and vanilla or almond extract and mix until well combined. add the baking powder and salt and 1/2 of the flour mixture and mix. Add the rest of the flour and mix to form a dough. 

Spray a baking pan, then empty the dough onto it. Pat it down with your hands until the dough is evenly distributed. The great thing about these cookie bars is that they taste just like regular sugar cookies, but they are a lot easier because you don't have to roll out the dough and cut it out with cookie cutters, you just pat it down on a baking pan. Easy-peasy. Bake the cookies for 16-19 minutes or until the edges are slightly golden. Cool completely before frosting.

While the cookies are baking/cooling, let's make the frosting. You will need:

• 1/2 cup butter
• 5 teaspoons milk
• 3 cups powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon almond extract
• 1-3 drops food coloring (optional)

Cream the butter until light and fluffy. Add the milk, sugar and almond and mix until well incorporated. Finally, add the food coloring. 

Frost the cooled cookie bars and add sprinkles. You're done!

If you make these, I would love to see! Post them on instagram using the hashtag #petitebakeress

Happy Baking!

Ashley