Snow Days & Sugar Cookie Bars.

Our little town in Western Pa is a relatively quiet town, especially when it snows. If you aren't outside shoveling/plowing, building snowmen or sled riding, you are cozy at home. (Not everyone, but a bunch of us!)  Our weekend has consisted of three out of four of those things. Yes, we built a snowman and of course we were sled riding. Who could pass up the chance with about 8 or 9 inches of snow? And today is the cozy day! 

G checking out the snowman. 

I love cozy days at home when I get the chance to cook up something yummy and sometimes I even go wild and make dessert (haha). I love sweets and I am not sure I could live without them but I honestly don't make desserts often. I have Beef roast in the crockpot with carrots/celery and mashed taters and gravy on the side. (Yum). So I found a yummy new dessert recipe that looked pretty simple so I decided today is the day to try it! 

Sugar Cookie Bars - Adapted from this recipe. 

Ingredients Needed.

2-1/2 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour is fine)

1/2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1 egg

1-1/2 Tbsp. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar

1/4 cup half and half   I didn't have this so I used milk.

1 tsp. vanilla

A pinch of salt

A few drops of food coloring (optional)

Directions:

1. COOKIES: Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 inch baking dish.
2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes. (The longer you beat it, the fluffier your cookies will be.)
4. Add egg and combine well.
5. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until completely blended.
6. Slowly add the flour mixture and stir until well combined.
7. Gently press the batter into the greased baking dish and spread out with hands. Tip from the original recipe...  (If you butter your hands, this will help with the stickiness.)
8. Bake 17-20 minutes, or until edges become lightly golden.
9. Set aside to cool completely.
10. FROSTING: In a medium bowl, cream together butter, powdered sugar, and half and half until light and fluffy.
11. Stir in vanilla and salt, combine well.
12. Add food coloring if desired.
13. Frost your cooled cookie bars..
14. Cut into squares and your done.