Sugar Cookie Bars

My friend, Sarah - author of High Heels and Grills, posted these a while back and I think that I tried them out that very same day. I'm such a fan! They are everything that you may want in a sugar cookie and only half of the work. You don't think that the rolling and cutting take that much time. But they do. This method is so much easier - and still so delicious!

Sugar Cookie Bars
Source: High Heels and Grills, a la Cooking Classy

Ingredients:
2-1/2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour is fine)
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup granulated sugar
1 egg
1-1/2 Tbsp. sour cream
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions:
Preheat oven to 375 and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. (The longer you beat it, the fluffier your cookies will be.) Add egg and combine well. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until completely blended. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well combined.

Gently press the batter into the greased baking dish and spread out with hands. (If you butter your hands, this will help with the stickiness.)Bake 17-20 minutes, or until edges become lightly golden. Set aside to cool completely. 

Sugar Cookie Frosting

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter, softened
4 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup half and half
1 tsp. vanilla
Pinch of salt
Several drops of food coloring (optional)

Directions:

In a medium bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla and salt, combine well. Add food coloring until desired color. Frost your cooled cookie bars evenly. Cut into squares and serve.