Frosted Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (115g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg + 1 egg yolk*
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 and 1/2 cups (190g) spoon & leveled all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 and 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
• 1/2 cup (80g) rainbow sprinkles (not nonpareils)

VANILLA FROSTING

• 3/4 cup (170g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 2 and 1/4 cups (270g) confectioners' sugar
• 3 Tablespoons (45ml) heavy cream or half-and-half*
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• salt, to taste

OPTIONAL

• food coloring for frosting (I used 1 drop red)
• extra sprinkles for decorating on top

Directions:

For the bars: Preheat oven to 350F degrees. Line an 8-inch or 9-inch square baking pan with aluminum foil, making sure to leave enough overhand on the sides. Set aside.

In a large bowl using a hand-held mixer or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, cream the softened butter for about 1 minute on medium speed. Get it nice and smooth, then add the sugar on medium speed until fluffy and light in color. Beat in egg, egg yolk, and vanilla. Scrape down the sides as needed.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, and cornstarch. With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients in 3 different parts. The dough is quite thick. Once combined, gently fold in 1/2 cup sprinkles using a rubber spatula (or by mixing on low speed).

Press the cookie dough evenly into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 25-26 minutes or until very lightly browned on top. You want the cookie bars to be extra soft, so careful not to overbake. Allow the bars to cool completely on a wire rack at room temperature before frosting. The center will slightly sink - that's normal.

For the frosting: If you don't want a super thick layer of frosting as pictured, halve the frosting recipe. With a handheld or stand mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy - about 2 minutes. Add confectioners' sugar, cream, and vanilla extract with the mixer running on low. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add more powdered sugar if frosting is too thin or more cream if frosting is too thick. Add a pinch of salt if frosting is too sweet. I usually anywhere between 1/8 - 1/4 teaspoon of salt. Beat in food coloring, if using.

Remove cooled bars from the baking pan using the aluminum foil overhang on the sides. Frost the bars with a thick layer of frosting and decorate with extra sprinkles if desired. Cut into squares. Use a very sharp knife and wipe off with a paper towel between each cut to make neat, even cuts.

Store bars in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days and in the refrigerator up to 5.