Sugar cookies in bar form… Genuis! I saw a picture of  these sugar cookies bars on Tastespotting a few weeks back and knew I had to make them. Lori , otherwise known as Recipe Girl had posted about them on her blog. I decided to try these out for the kids’ dessert at our Cinco De Mayo celebration.

Now here’s a novel piece of advice, follow the recommended size of the pan in the recipe. I used a smaller Pyrex pan than the recipe called for, which made the bars a little on the thick side. Next time around, I will add part of the batter to an additional Pyrex for optimal thickness. The kids loved them though. Really, I think you could put this icing on anything and it would taste great. I’ll confess, I did eat most of the left-overs, but cut off part of the sugar cookie bottom for a better icing to bar ratio.

I’ve got something even sweeter than sugar cookie bars to share today ~ my Mother’s Day present from my boy. It just confirms that I have the greatest kid in the entire world (don’t we all think ours are the greatest?). He wrote me a poem (in school), and took me out to California Pizza Kitchen for dinner. He might be mortified if he knew I was posting his poem, so shhh…. don’t tell. 

What is Mother? 

as friendly as Jesus 

a loving soul 

a dependable woman 

caring for others 

a gift from heaven 

always there for me 

a thoughtful friend 

an encouraging individual 

a playful person 

an incredible cooker 

with a great heart 

That is my mother! 

Do you see why I love this child? Talk about making me feel good about myself. I love that he thinks of me as an incredible “cooker”. I’m sure he’d tell you I make the best chicken nuggets around. And as friendly as Jesus? Wow! To me, this is the present of all presents. I need nothing more in this life. 

If, and when he makes me a little crazy during his teenage years, I’ll have this poem handy to remind me of what a great kid God has blessed me with.  He and I have stuck together through a lot, and I can’t imagine my life without his amazing spirit.

SUGAR COOKIE BARS

(From RecipeGirl.com)

COOKIES:
1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
2 tsp vanilla extract
5 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda  

FROSTING:
1/2 cup butter; at room temperature
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar (sift after measuring)
5 Tbsp. milk
food coloring, if desired  

1. Prepare bars: In a large bowl with an electric mixer, cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla.
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 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting.
4. Prepare frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter and shortening together until smooth and creamy. Mix in vanilla 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  

Tips:
*Refrigerate the bars until firm… it will be easier to get nice, clean cuts.