Monday, July 9, 2012

SRC: Sugar Cookie Bars

Well... it's been awhile since I've been on here. I am happy to report that I finished up my residency at the end of June, certificate and all. Hoping that means that I'll be cooking a little more regularly (and I think I'm not the only one). I think the hubs is ready to hand the kitchen back over to me!

What better way to get back into the swing of things that with a SRC reveal day? My blogger for this month was Raina from Connor's Cooking. Raina has a fun variety of recipes from stir-fries to baked oatmeal, and I still want to try many of these! In the end, I ended up listing to my sweet tooth and chose to make her sugar cookie bars
This recipe makes a sheet pan of cookies, and it turned out to be the perfect recipe because I have been receiving a few hints that I should bring some treats into work. Even in the sheet pan, the bars end up nice and thick, staying soft throughout. I needed to bake these for about 20-22 minutes, but I am just realizing now that I baked them at 350 rather than 375 degrees. Either way, it works well.

My only suggestion for the future would be to adjust the frosting recipe (possibly adding a little more powdered sugar) as mine tended to get a little bit too soft when kept at room temperature. Then again, it is July in Arizona and refrigerated cookie bars taste pretty good :)
Thanks for a great recipe Raina. I look forward to seeing your posts in the future! 

(Printable Recipe)

Sugar Cookie Bars
Adapted from Connor's Cooking (Originally from www.loveandoliveoil.com)

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

Frosting:
1 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
1 tsp. vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4-5 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp. milk (I used almond milk)
food coloring, if desired

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy. Add eggs, mixing one at a time until well combined. Mix in vanilla. In a separate  bowl, combine the flour, salt, and baking soda. Add to the butter mixture until just combined. Grease a large rimmed baking sheet (10x15-inch) with nonstick spray. Gently spread the dough over the sheet. Bake for 18-22 minutes or until the edges of the bars are just beginning to brown. Place on a wire rack to cool.

While the bars are cooling, beat the butter in a large bowl until smooth and fluffy. Mix in vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, alternating with a little milk. Mix until smooth and spreadable, but sturdy. Add a few drops of food coloring if desired. Spread over the cooled cookie bars (only after they are completely cool). Cut and enjoy!




11 comments:

  1. Oh yum! I love bars because they are so much easier than cookies. Great choice!

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  2. it was great having your blog this month, you have so many amazing recipes!!! love your pick for the SRC, i am a huge fan of bar cookies :-)

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  3. Sugar cookies are my favorite and I can't wait to try making them as bars!

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  4. CONGRATS on finishing your residency! what a HUGE accomplishment!!!

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  5. Oh these look delicious, bar cookies are my favorites. Congrats on finishing the residency!!!!

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    1. Thanks Julie! I hope to have some more time to get back in the kitchen now!

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  6. After seeing those thick hunks of sugar cookie bars, I'm having a major craving. But it's 1:30 am and I need to be sleeping rather than baking. DARN! Maybe wasn't such a good idea to stay up so I could comment on SRC posts-lol! Great job!

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  7. Wow, those look super tasty! I don't think I've ever had a sugar cookie bar on its own that wasn't covered in some sort of additional elaborate topping. I like the simplicity of these. Thick wedges of cookie, frosting, what more do you need?

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  8. These look really good! And since I am staying in Arizona as well, I can totally relate to the heat factor when it comes to baking. Great pick for the SRC!

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  9. Great looking cookies. And easy to make, too.

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  10. Mmmmm, fantastic! These cookies just look perfectly delicious...bet they were a hit a work!

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