Sugar Cookie Bars

These cookies will have you whistling dixie in no time!

Your kids will love them as much as the cut out kind, and the ladies (and gents) will be begging you for the recipe.

Sugar Cookie Bars
about 60 bars (depending on how big you cut them)

Cookie Dough
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1 egg
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 teas. almond extract
1/2 teas. baking soda
1 teas. vanilla
1 teas. baking powder
2 1/2 cups flour

Frosting
1 /2 cup unsalted butter, softened
4 oz. cream cheese, softened
3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
 3-5 tablespoons milk
1 teas. vanilla
food coloring (I use gel food coloring from Michael's for more intense color)

• In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the sugar, butter, egg and cream cheese until nice and frothy, about 4 minutes.
• Add the vanilla and almond extract, beat for one minute.
• In a small bowl, combine the baking soda, baking powder and flour.  Stir together until all incorporated.
• Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes.
• Spray with Pam, or use a Silpat liner, a large jelly roll pan (cookie sheet).
• Press the dough into a large jelly roll pan. 
• Bake at 350' for 20 minutes.
• Let cool completely (I put mine in the freezer for a few minutes to quick chill).

Frosting 

• In a medium bowl or stand mixer, combine the butter and cream cheese.  Beat about 2 minutes.
• Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring.  Mix for 1-2 minutes until smooth.
• Frost the cooled cookies.
• Cut cookies into bars using a pizza cutter or sharp knife.  Enjoy!