Sugar Cookie Bars

I love sugar cookies, but there is a lot of effort that goes into making them. This recipe definitely make the sugar cookie process so much easier. I like to under cook mine a little. I take them out at 8 mins. (NOT a min. more.. Trust me!!) They do look under cooked and not done, but I think that they are better this way.

Bars:

1 cup butter, at room temperature (I use half butter, half margarine.)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda

5 cups flour

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter; at room temperature
1 tsp almond extract
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk
food coloring, if desired

1. Bars: In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
2. In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt & baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased, rimmed baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). The dough will be just like cookie dough- heavy & sticky- so it’s best to spray your hands with a little nonstick spray and use them to help mold the dough into the pan.
3. Bake at 375 degrees for 15-20 mins, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I like to slightly under cook mine. I take them out at 10 mins. exactly. They are not brown at all, but I think that they are better this way. Cool completely before frosting.
4. Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter, vanilla, almond extract and salt. Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until combined, then add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency. Add a few drops of color, if desired. Spread over cooled cookie, then cut into bars.

Yield: 32 bars