4Th Of July Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, room temp
• 2 oz (56g) cream cheese, room temp
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1 egg, room temp
• 1 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/4 tsp almond extract
• 1 2/3 cups (210g) all-purpose flour, spooned & leveled or weighed (don't pack it in)
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 4 tbsp (57g) unsalted butter, room temp (for the frosting)
• 1 1/2 (180g) cups powdered sugar (for the frosting)
• 1-2 tbsp milk or heavy cream (adjust for desired consistency) (for the frosting)
• 1/2 tsp vanilla (for the frosting)
• Pinch of salt (for the frosting)
• + lots of patriotic sprinkles for topping! (for the frosting)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350°F and grease/line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
2. Beat butter, cream cheese, and sugar together until light and fluffy.
3. Then, add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract and mix until fully combined.
4. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt, then gently fold into the wet ingredients until just combined.
5. Spread evenly into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
6. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until the edges are set or a toothpick inserted comes out mostly clean/with a few moist crumbs.
7. Let it cool completely.
8. For the frosting, beat the butter until creamy, then mix in the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla, and salt until smooth/spreadable.
9. Spread over the completely cooled bars and decorate with patriotic sprinkles.