Fourth of July Sugar Cookie Bars

www.delightfulemade.com

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– 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, room temperature – 1 1/4 c. sugar – 2 eggs – 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla – 1/2 tsp. almond extract – 3 c. flour – 1 1/2 tsp. baking powder – 1/4 tsp. salt – 1/2 c. patriotic sprinkles or jimmies For Frosting – 1 c. (2 sticks) butter, room temperature – 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla – 1/2 tsp. almond extract – 4 c. powdered sugar – 2-3 Tbsp. milk – Red & Blue Sparkle Gel frosting in a tube

INGREDIENTS

Step 1

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9 x 13" cake pan with aluminum foil and lightly spray with non-stick baking spray. Set aside.

Step 2

For the cookie dough: With a stand or hand mixer, cream together the butter and granulated sugar until creamy and fluffy. Add the eggs, vanilla and almond extract and mix until combined.

Step 3

In a separate bowl, sift together the flour, baking powder, and salt. Gradually add the dry ingredients (about 1 cup at a time) to the wet ingredients, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Dough will be thick and slightly stiff. Fold in the sprinkles to the dough.

Step 4

Using your hands, press the dough evenly into the prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 19-23 minutes until just golden brown. Do your best not to overcook, as the bars will become hard and overly crisp. Remove from oven and let cool completely before frosting.

Step 5

For the Frosting: With a hand or stand mixer, cream the room temperature butter along with the vanilla and almond extract. Gradually begin adding the powdered sugar one cup at a time, stopping the mixer to scrape down the sides of the bowl.

Step 6

As the frosting gets stiffer, add the milk one Tbsp. at a time as needed. Spread the frosting over the cooled bars. Add alternating lines of the red and blue gel frosting, about 1/2" apart. Using a toothpick, drag through the lines of gen to create a herringbone design.

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