Sugar Cookie Bars

I like most people love sugar cookies, but honestly I don't have/care to take the time to make them.  I usually only make traditional rolled out cookies once a year for Christmas and usually JT will help me by making Santa's into penises, its a great family time.   When I saw this recipe I knew I had to try these.

Source: My Baking Addiction

Recipe: 

1 cup butter; room temperature

2 cups sugar

2 t. vanilla

4 eggs

5 cups flour

1 t. salt

1/2 t. baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy.  Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg.  Add vanilla and mix well.  In a separate bowl combine flour, salt and baking soda and stir with a whisk to combine.  Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined.  Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 X 18 pan).

Bake at 375 degrees to 10 to 15 minutes, until golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean.  Cool completely and cut into squares or triangles if you like or you can just leave in the pan and frost. 

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter; room temperature

1/2 cup shortening

1 t. vanilla

pinch of salt

4 cups powdered sugar

5 T milk

food coloring if you like

Combine butter and shortening until smooth and creamy.  Add vanilla and salt.  Add powdered sugar 1 cup at a time until combined, then add milk and mix until smooth and spreading consistency.  Spread over cooled cookies.

The Chewy

So I finally made this cookie, I've always been a fan of Alton Brown, I'm a math and science dork so its interesting for me to see the science behind the foods I love.  I've always made the Toll House Chocolate Chip Cookie recipe and was moderately satisfied with it but I love a chewy cookie.  I started to make this cookie and husband was a little nervous about not using the Toll House recipe and I told him it was chewy and his comment was "I like chewy."

Source: Alton Brown Good Eats

Ingredients:

2 stick unsalted butter

2 1/4 cups bread flour

1 t. salt

1 t. baking soda

1/4 cup sugar

1 1/4 cup brown sugar

1 egg

1 egg yolk

2 T. milk

1 1/1 t. vanilla extract

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Instructions:

Heat oven to 375 degrees.  Melt butter in saucepan.  Sift together flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside. 

Pour melted butter in stand mixer's bowl.  Add sugar and brown sugar.  Cream the butter and sugars together on medium.  Add egg, yolk, milk and vanilla and mix until well combined.  Slowly add the flour and mix thoroughly.  Stir in chips. 

Chill the dough, then scoop onto baking sheets, 6 cookies per sheet.  Bake 14 minutes or until golden brown.  

These cookies were a complete hit, for once hubby didn't have a comment on how to improve something.  Also I've figured out/given permission to use the new camera, so yea for better pictures!