These may be just “plain ole sugar cookie” bars without any chocolate or add-ins, but they are amazingly addictive! You can tint the frosting and decorate them with jimmies in colors to suit any occasion.
Bars:
¾ cup unsalted butter, softened*
¾ cup sugar
1 egg
1 T. vanilla extract
½ tsp. almond extract
½ tsp. baking soda
½ tsp. cream of tartar
½ tsp. salt
2 cups all purpose flour
Frosting:
½ cup unsalted butter, softened
1 T. vanilla extract
1-3 T. milk or heavy cream
2 cups powdered sugar
Dash of salt
Sprinkles and/or food coloring if desired
Preheat the oven to 350º. Line a 9×13” pan with foil and spray with nonstick spray.
In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugar. Beat in the egg and both extracts. Mix in 1 cup of the flour along with the soda, cream of tartar and salt, and then add the remaining flour. Press dough into the prepared pan and bake about 15 minutes—just until the sides are turning golden and the center looks a little underdone. Cool completely in the pan.
For the frosting, beat the butter in a medium bowl to soften it further, and then add the vanilla and 1 T. of the milk/cream. Slowly add the powdered sugar and salt, and any food coloring you want to use. Add more milk if needed to reach a spreading consistency. Frost bars and decorate with sprinkles, if desired. Lift the foil to bring the bars out of the pan and cut on a cutting board. Makes 2-3 dozen. Freezes well.
Kitchen Hint: You may substitute the same amount of oil for the butter. It changes the texture, making a slightly denser bar.