Sugar Cookie Bars

I made these sugar cookie bars as a "Thank You" gift for my daughter's teacher for a great 1st six weeks of school.  Everybody loves a good sugar cookie, right?  And these packed up really well in a colorful plastic box, then wrapped in purple saran wrap.  I hope she enjoyed them!  I got this recipe from Jamie Cooks It Up!.

Ingredients:

1 1/2 C sugar
1 C unsalted butter, softened
8 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/2 t almond extract
1 t vanilla
1/2 t baking soda
1 t baking powder
2 1/2 C flour

Frosting:

1/2 C butter, softened
3 1/2 C powdered sugar
1 t almond extract
3-5 T milk
food coloring
sprinkles

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar, and egg until nice and frothy, about 3 minutes.

Add the vanilla and almond extract, and mix.

In a small bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, and baking soda, and stir.

Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for about 2 minutes.

Press the dough into a large jelly roll pan (large cookie sheet pan with high sides).

Bake for 18-20 minutes.

Let the pan cool completely.  While they are cooling, you can make the frosting.

In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, beat the butter until creamy, about 1 minute.

Add the powdered sugar, almond extract, and 3 T milk.  Mix for 2 minutes until smooth.  Add more milk as needed to get the right consistency.  You want it spreadable but also want it to set up good.

Frost your pan of cookies and decorate with sprinkles.  Cut cookies into bars.  Enjoy!