Almond Sugar Cookie Bars

My cute neighbor made these delicious cookies for me.  I took one bite and knew that I was not going to be sharing them with my family.  I hid these delectable morsels and ate every single on.  Once they were gone I knew that I had to have more.  Thank goodness that she was willing to give me her recipe.  They are as good as any sugar cookie but so, so much easier to make.  You can thank me for this recipe later. :)

1 1/2 Cups sugar
1 Cup butter softened
1 8ounce package of cream cheese softened
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 tsp almond extract
1 tsp baking powder
3 1/4 Cups flour

Cream sugar, butter, and cream cheese.  Add eggs and beat well.  Add vanilla and almond.  Mix.  Add the remaining ingredients.  Press dough into cookie sheet sprayed with Pam.  Bake at 350 degrees for 18-20 minutes, until very light brown.  Cool to frost.

Frosting

3 Cups
1/4 Cup milk
1/2 Cup butter, softened
1 Tablespoon almond extract
Dash of salt

mix butter, milk, and almond extract.  Add powdered sugar till spreading consistency is right.  Frost cooled cookies.  Enjoy!

Chocolate Frosting

When I moved out and started making my own cakes I always bought the frosting. I would wonder why mine never tasted quite like my moms. It turns out it is because she didn't cut corners on her frosting. She always made her frosting from scratch. It is so yummy. I will admit that I will never make a cake from scratch to this day cause the box usually taste better and it is cheaper, but the frosting is now homemade just like my moms.

3-4 cups powdered sugar
4-6 T cocoa
1/2 cup butter softened
1 tsp vanilla
4-5 T whipping cream or milk
Mix together in a mixing bowl. The frosting should peak when you pull out the beaters. It should spread easily but not run off. Just add more powdered sugar if to thin and more whipping cream if to thick. Enjoy!

Frosting

It took me a while to get the frosting just the way that I like it. A cookie is not a cookie with the yummy frosting that goes on them. I do not like to buy frosting with the exception of my delicious rainbow chip frosting. I have added and taken things out over the years to where now I feel it is just perfect.

1/2 c soft butter
1 t. vanilla
4 cups powdered sugar
4 T. whipping cream or whole milk
pinch of salt

Stir the ingredients with a fork until most of the powdered sugar is mixed in. Then use an electric hand mixer until it is smooth and forms peeks. If it is to runny add a little powdered sugar. If it is to stiff add a little more whipping cream.

To change this up a bit

add:

1/2 tsp. lemon extract
or
1/2 tsp. almond extract
or
3-4 T cocoa powder

You can use this frosting on sugar cookies, cakes, cinnamon rolls and so much more.