Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars

 

Ingredients

• Cookie:
• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened (I used light)
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp almond extract
• 1 tsp vanilla
• ½ tsp baking soda
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 2½ cup flour
• Frosting:
• ½ C butter softened
• 4 oz cream cheese, softened
• 3½ C powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1-3 Tbsp milk
• food coloring, if desired

Instructions

1. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer combine the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and egg blend with a mixer until nice and smooth. It will almost resemble frosting.
2. Add the vanilla and almond extract and beat for 1 minute more.
3. Add the flour, baking powder and baking soda. Beat for about 2 minutes.
4. Spread or press the dough evenly into a jelly roll (13 x 18) pan. I found it easiest to spread it with an offset spatula.
5. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Test with a toothpick for doneness.
6. Let the pan cool completely.
7. For the frosting, in a large bowl (or your stand mixer) beat the butter and cream cheese until smooth.
8. Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring, if desired. Beat for about 4 minutes until noce and fluffy.
9. Frost cooled pan of cookies. Cut the cookies into bars and serve! Makes 40 bars.