Candy Cane Kiss Sugar Cookie Bars

Christmas just isn't the same without at least one batch of Sugar Cookies with Buttercream Frosting, but you may not feel like rolling out and cutting each cookie. So Sugar Cookie Bars come to the rescue. You still get a soft and chewy cookie, but with way less hassle.

 

1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temp.
1 c. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
2 c. all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking soda
25 chopped Candy Cane Kisses

Buttercream Frosting:
1/2 c. unsalted butter, room temp.
pinch of salt
1 tsp. vanilla
a few drops of red food coloring, opt.
2 c. powdered sugar
milk, only if needed

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  
• Cream together butter and sugar.  
• Mix in the vanilla.  
• Add the eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.  
• Add 1 cup of flour, salt and baking soda and mix until combined.  
• Add the remaining 1 cup of flour and chopped Candy Cane Kisses 
• Mix until just combined.  
• Press dough into a greased 9x13-inch pan.  
• Bake for 14-15 minutes.  
• Cool completely.
• Meanwhile beat butter until creamy.  
• Add a pinch of salt, vanilla, red food coloring and one cup of powdered sugar 
• Mix until combined.  
• Add the remaining one cup of powdered sugar and mix until smooth and creamy. 
• Add a little milk, if needed, to reach desired consistency.  
• Spread over cooled sugar cookie bars.  
• Garnish with chopped candy canes or Candy Cane Kisses, if desired.

Recipe : Eat Cake for Dinner