Sugar Cookie Bars

I can’t believe it is already time for Christmas baking, time just seems to go faster and faster every single year.

I usually make these sugar cookies every year, I love them!

This year I didn’t feel like all the rolling and cutting and icing, so I whipped up a batch of these simple sugar cookie bars.

They are AMAZING! Simple and perfect for the holidays!

What you need,

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¾ cup butter, at room temperature

¾ cup granulated sugar

¼ cup icing sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

½ tbsp. lemon zest, optional but totally delish!

2¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt (I left out the salt because I used salted butter, as usual!)

For the icing,

6 tbsp. butter, at room temperature

2½ cups icing sugar

3 tbsp. milk

¼ tsp. vanilla

Food Coloring

Festive sprinkles for topping

Heat the oven to 375 degrees. Grease a 9x13 inch pan with non-stick spray.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream together the butter and both sugars until light and fluffy.

Add in the eggs one at a time until well incorporated. Mix in the zest, baking powder and salt.

Slowly add the flour until fully mixed in.

Press the mixture into the prepared pan in an even layer.

Bake for 10-13 minutes. Don’t over bake; the centre will look barely set.

Cool on a rack completely before icing.

To make the icing, combine the butter and icing in a medium bowl.

Add in the milk and vanilla and mix until well combined.

Stir in food coloring if desired.

When the bars are cool spread the icing on and decorate with sprinkles.

Slice bars and store in an airtight container for a week, or freeze between layers of wax paper for month.

These sugar cookie bars are soft and chewy. The icing is to die for!

They are the perfect addition to any Christmas cookie plate!

What are you guys making for the holidays?? What are your favourites?

Jen

Recipe from Mel’s Kitchen Cafe