Top ‘o the morning to ya!  I’ve wanted to make these sugar cookie bars for soooo long and I found St. Patrick’s Day to be the perfect opportunity.   You know, ’cause they’re green.  We shared this batch with Andrew’s English class at church and I’ve plenty leftover to share with some family friends coming tomorrow night.  Seriously, this recipe made a whole bunch.  And dang they were easy!  Tasty too.  A touch on the dry side, but I did overcook them by a couple  minutes, so that can be easily remedied.  Overall, great flavor and simple to prepare.   Highly recommend. 

Sugar Cookie Bars

Recipe yields 36 – 48 servings (Calorie estimate: 48 bars – 195/bar)

Ingredients

1 cup butter; room temp.
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg.  Add vanilla & mix well.  In a separate bowl combine flour, salt & soda & stir with a whisk to combine.  Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.  Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan).  Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely and frost.

Frosting
1/2 cup butter; room temp
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

For frosting combine butter and shortening until smooth and creamy.  Add vanilla and salt.  Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency.  Spread over cooled cookie, then cut into bars.