Sugar Cookie Bars with Chocolate Frosting

It's Art Mom time again, and I have to wow my little fans with my baking abilities because they are definitely not wowed by my artistic abilities.  Since it is super close to Valentine's Day, I decided to make some heart shaped sugar cookie bars, just to make my life a little easier.  These are very quick and easy with a perfectly delightful chocolate frosting that sets up well and is not too gooey for those little fingers.  I found this frosting recipe on ourbestbites.com, and I am totally loving it.  It is exactly what I was picturing in my head to go on top of these cookie bars!  You can cut these bars into shapes, if you want (they don't have to be hearts, adapt for whatever holiday or occasion you need them for!), or just cut them into squares.  Either way, they will be an absolute hit.  My Hungry Puppies (and my husband) totally approved.  Lots of thumbs up!

Sugar Cookie Bars with Chocolate Frosting

Sugar Cookie  Bars:
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, room temperature
2 cups granulated sugar
2 eggs
2 Tablespoons sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 teaspoon almond extract
5 cups all purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

Chocolate Frosting:
4 cups powdered sugar
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
5 Tablespoons butter, room temperature
1/3 cup boiling water
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Preheat the oven to 350F.  Grease a 13x18 inch baking pan or 2 9x13 inch pans.

For the cookie bars, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy.  Beat in the eggs, one at a time, followed by the sour cream until blended.  Beat in the vanilla extract and almond extract.  Add the flour, baking powder, and salt, and beat on low just until blended.  

Using your hands, press the dough into the prepared pan (or divide equally between the two 9x13 pans), and bake for about 15 minutes, or until the edges of the cookie bars are golden brown and the center is set.  Remove cookie bars from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes before frosting.

When the cookie bars are finished baking, prepare the frosting (these need to be frosted warm!).  Combine the powdered sugar, cocoa powder, and salt.  Add the butter, boiling water, and vanilla extract and beat until smooth and shiny.  Spread the frosting evenly over the warm cookie bars.  Immediately sprinkle with sprinkles, if desired (or the frosting will set up and the sprinkles won't stick).  Let cookie bars cool before cutting.  Makes about 30 heart shaped cookie bars, but will make more if you just cut them into bars.

Enjoy!  -Cardamommy