Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars

There was a potluck at my church and I had signed up to bring dessert. The only question was what to make. I had neither the time nor the energy to make something complicated. But, I still wanted it to be delicious and appealing (naturally) and, if possible, I wanted to try something new. Then, I remembered the much raved about Sugar Cookie Bars. Simple, quick, super easy - mix it up, throw it in a pan, and bake it up. It was exactly what I needed.


I decided to try the Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars that Dreaming of White Chocolate linked up to last week's Sweets for a Saturday. True to form, those bars were done in no time at all with very little mess or fuss. Whip up some pink buttercream icing (it is close to Valentine's Day after all), go sprinkle crazy, and you've got a super pretty treat that can't be beat.


Of course, looks are important, but taste is even more so, right? Well, these were amazingly soft and tender, almost like cake but a little denser. With the buttercream frosting adding the perfect sweet touch, these are melt in your mouth good.


Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars (Dreaming of White Chocolate)

1 c. butter, room temperature
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature (I used lowfat cream cheese)
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 egg
2 tsp. vanilla
2 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder

Preheat oven to 350F. Line or grease a jelly roll pan (15x10x1).

Cream butter with cream cheese and sugar. Add in the egg and vanilla and mix until incorporated. With mixer on low, add in your dry ingredients and mix until just combined.

Spread the dough evenly into your prepared pan (dough will be sticky). Bake for 20-30 min. until edges begin to turn golden brown. Cool completely then frost with buttercream frosting.

Buttercream Frosting (by Lisa of Sweet as Sugar Cookies)

3/4 c. margarine or butter
3 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
milk (just enough to make it spreadable)

Cream the butter until smooth. Add the sugar one cup at a time and beat until light and fluffy. Add milk as desired until you've reached a consistency you like.

This recipe is linked to:
A Little Birdie Told Me
Crazy Sweet Tuesday
Bake with Bizzy
Cast Party Wednesday
These Chicks Cooked
Full Plate Thursday
Sweet Tooth Friday