Sugar Cookie Bars with Frosting

The problem with making sugar cookies is 1) they often require cream of tartar, and 2) you usually need to refrigerate and roll out the dough and then cut out cutesy cookie shapes before baking.

When we lived in Germany, I made an inordinate amount of snickerdoodle cookies for a church function (it was my "American dessert" contribution--I know, I know, a total cop-out). The many cream of tartar substitutions I had to make stressed me out, especially since I didn't have measuring spoons; I was never sure if I was substituting correctly.

And rolling out the dough and cutting out shapes? The mere idea makes me want to roll my eyes. I mean, I guess if you have a rolling pin and cookie cutters, the process probably doesn't take that long. But welcome to my kitchen where I have neither.

Ok, enough complaining because sugar cookie bars are the solution to all my hang-ups. Plus, they taste better than regular old sugar cookies, anyway. These are so easy to make and are perfectly soft and chewy! Top them with frosting and they remind me of those big sugar cookies they sell in the States. You know, the ones with the pink frosting and the sprinkles. What are those called again?

(Sadly, when I made these sugar cookie bars, I had to halve the recipe because I don't have a cookie sheet big enough to hold that much dough, let alone an oven big enough to bake it in. But don't worry--the recipe below hasn't been altered.)



Sugar Cookie Bars
(adapted from Real Mom Kitchen)
Printable Recipe
Serves 24

Ingredients
1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
5 cups flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda

Directions
1) Cream butter and sugar together until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla & mix well.
2) In a separate bowl add flour, salt, and baking soda; stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet ingredients and mix just until combined.
3) Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 12-15 minutes, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and frost.


Sugar Cookie Frosting

Ingredients
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5-6 tablespoons milk
food coloring (if desired)

Directions
1) Mix butter with vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined.
2) Add milk and food coloring, if using, and mix until smooth and to the desired consistency. Spread over cooled cookies. Enjoy!