Patriotic Swirl Sugar Cookie Bars

By srumbel

If you are looking for a super easy, but festive treat that will wow everyone at your 4th of July party then here’s your treat! These bars are soft and amazing but way less work than sugar cookies, but they are just as impressive!

from julieseatsandtreats

Ingredients

• Bars
• 1 1/2 C. Sugar
• 1 C Butter, softened
• 8 oz cream cheese, softened
• 1 Egg
• 1/2 t. almond extract
• 1 t. vanilla
• 1 t. baking powder
• 1/2 t. baking soda
• 2 1/2 c. Flour
• Red Food Coloring
• Frosting
• 1/4 c. butter, softened
• 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 2 c. powdered sugar
• 2-3 T Milk
• 1/2 t. vanilla
• Blue Food Coloring
• Patriotic Sprinkles

Details

Preparation time 15mins
Cooking time 35mins

Preparation

Step 1

First beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg until nice and frothy. This will take about 4 min.
Add vanilla and almond extract. Beat about 1 min.
Add flour, baking powder, and baking soda. Beat about 2 min. It will be light and fluffy. Separate half of the dough into a small bowl. Add red food coloring and mix well.
Alternate large spoonfuls of dough (i.e. red then white, then red) into greased jelly roll pan. Smooth out dough and run knife through it to swirl it. Bake at 350 degrees for about 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.
Frosting – Combine butter and cream cheese. Beat about 2 min. Add the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla and food coloring. Mix 1-2 min until smooth. Spread over bars and sprinkle with sprinkles