Sugar Cookie Bars + Birthday!

Hey, Shorty, it’s my birthday!!

I feel like a new woman now that I’m 30. Okay, maybe I don’t. Actually, I feel the same! LOL! I’ve never been one to dread getting older or not enjoy birthdays. In fact, I look forward to them so much because we usually plan something fun. Today, the hubby has arranged for the MIL to come over and watch the kiddos so we can spend the day together going out to eat, seeing a movie, playing racquetball and shopping! I’m SO excited! I love nothing more than spending time with my best friend, Lo.

WHICH, I just had to show you what he got me, cuz I LOVED it!!!

MY OTHER RECIPES

{Gift cards to Home Goods, Ross, Forever 21 and IKEA – 4 of my FAV stores!}

He saw this cute piece of decor and got creative and added gift cards to each hook! Clever, right?! I told him it was definitely blog worthy!! LOL!

Shortly after my son came down the stairs with his tool box saying “Happy Birthday, mommy! Here’s your prize!!” How stinkin’ cute is that?!

And I can’t forget to mention my mom and sisters who all spoiled me by treating me to dinner at Cheesecake Factory Thursday night and then showering me with all sorts of polka dotted goodies. They know my style!!

{This is just half of what they got me – man, I sure love my fam!}

It’s just crazy… my day is just starting, and I’ve already had the best birthday!! I feel so grateful and blessed.

To celebrate with you guys I wanted to share one of my favorite recipes EVER!!! It comes from Amanda’s Cooking.

I made a few modifications, but they BY FAR are the best Sugar Cookie Bars I have tried, and I’ve attempted a few. This one has lots of butter and one of my all-time favorite secret ingredients – Almond Extract.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. 🙂

What I like most about these is that I really love the taste of sugar cookies but still get nervous making them since my mom makes them so perfect and so soft. These bars are a little easier and taste just as good!

Sugar Cookie Bars + Birthday!

 

Print

Ingredients

• 1½ cups sugar
• 1 cup butter
• 8 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp. almond extract
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• ½ tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. baking powder
• 2½ cups flour
• ½ cup butter softened
• 4 oz. cream cheese softened
• 4 - 4½ cups powdered sugar
• 3-5 TB milk
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• food coloring
• sprinkles

Instructions

1. Beat 1 cup butter, 1½ cups sugar, egg and 8 oz. cream cheese until well blended and a bit frothy.
2. Add the 1 tsp. vanilla and 1 tsp. almond extract and mix well.
3. In a separate bowl mix flour, baking powder - mix well.
4. Add flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat for a few minutes.
5. Pour into a large jelly roll pan and bake at 350 for 20 minutes.
6. Once cake is cool. Make frosting. To make, beat ½ cup butter and 4 oz. cream cheese until mixed well. Add powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring. Add to cookies. ENJOY!

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I love that you can make these match for whatever event you are doing by changing the color of frosting and sprinkles!

So soft, so yummy and so easy to make!!

And I also love that it makes a ton which is great for events!!

For more Sugar Cookie Goodness, be sure to check out these two recipes for Sugar Cookies that are both to die for!

 Sugar Cookies

 Soft Sugar Cookies

 Strawberry Lemonade Sugar Cookies

                                                                                   Sugar Cookie Fruit Pizzas 

For all dessert recipes on the site go HERE.

For all recipes go HERE.

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ENJOY!

P.S. Free Dingbats will continue next week. 🙂