Christmas Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients

1. 5 cups flour
2. 1 teaspoon salt
3. 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
4. 1 cup butter softened
5. 2 cups sugar
6. 4 eggs
7. 2 teaspoons clear almond extract or clear vanilla extract
8. 6 drops green food coloring
9. 6 drops red food coloring

Frosting

1. 4 cups confectioner's sugar
2. 1/2 cup butter room temp
3. 5 tablespoons milk
4. 1 teaspoon almond extract or clear vanilla extract

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line a 13" x 9" pan with parchment paper.
2. In a small mixing bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda; set aside.
3. Using an electric mixer cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
4. Beat in eggs one at a time. Stir in almond extract.
5. Then with the mixer on low, slowly add the flour mixture, mixing until just combined.
6. Evenly divide dough into two small mixing bowls.
7. In one bowl add 6 drops of green food coloring, stir to mix in the coloring. Continue to mix in more green food coloring until you get the color you desire.
8. In the other bowl add 6 drops of red food coloring, stir to mix in the coloring. Continue to mix in more red food coloring until you get the color you desire.
9. Spread the dough to the prepared pan, I added the green first but you could do either one. Then add the remaining dough on top and spread, this was red for me.
10. Bake for 25-30 minutes. Test at 20 minutes with a toothpick to check the baking process, then recheck at 25 minutes. Tester should come out clean when bars are done baking. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Frosting

1. In a large bowl, cream together the confectioner's sugar and butter until smooth. Gradually mix in the milk and almond or vanilla with an electric mixer until smooth and stiff, about 5 minutes. Spread over cookie bars.
2. Top with sprinkles. Cut, serve, and devour. Happy Holidays!

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