It's a Sugar Cookie Revolution!

My family LOVES sugar cookies. The problem - they love to eat them - and that's about it. I feel like the Little Red Hen whenever I make them. I combine the ingredients, I chill the dough, I cut the cookies out, I bake the cookies, I decorate the cookies, I do all the dishes and clean up. I don't really even eat them. I myself am not a huge fan of sugar cookies, but I think that it's because by the time I'm done with them I don't want anything to do with them anymore! This Valentines Day, however, I surprised my family with a fun Valentines Day Mystery dinner including these delicious sugar cookies bars that were a breeze to make. 1 pan. No chilling. No waiting. I actually might be a converted sugar cookie lover! Thank you to http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter, room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp lemon zest (optional)

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla and mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt, baking soda and stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean (they won't look done so do the toothpick test). Cool completely and frost.

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, room temperature
4 ounces cream cheese (1/2 of an 8 oz block) softened
1 tsp vanilla (I used almond extract for half of the frosting)
¼ tsp salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
Food coloring (if desired)

For frosting combine butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk a little at a time and mix until smooth and spreading consistency. You may not need all the milk! Spread over cooled cookie bars.

Our fun Mystery Dinner Menu