Sugar Cookie Bars

Bars
1 cup butter, at room temperature (I use half butter, half margarine.)
2 cups granulated sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
5 cups flour

Frosting
1/2 cup butter, at room temperature
1 teaspoon almond extract
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 pinch salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 tablespoons milk
food coloring, if desired


Directions:

1
Bars: In a large bowl cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Mix in vanilla and almond extract.
2
In a separate bowl whisk together flour, salt & baking soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.
3
Spread on a greased, rimmed baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). The dough will be just like cookie dough- heavy & sticky- so it’s best to spray your hands with a little nonstick spray and use them to help mold the dough into the pan.
4
Bake at 375 degrees for 10 mins - 15 mins, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. (I like to slightly under cook mine. I take them out at 10 minutes exactly. They are not brown at all, but I think that they are better this way.).
5
Cool completely before frosting.
6
Frosting: In a large bowl, beat butter, vanilla, almond extract and salt.
7
Add powdered sugar (1 cup at a time) until combined.
8
add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency.
9
Add a few drops of color, if desired.
10
Spread over cooled cookie, then cut into bars.

Original recipe: http://www.food.com/recipe/sugar-cookie-bars-450990?oc=linkback