4th of July Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars

 These 4th of July Lofthouse Sugar Cookie Bars are fantastic!  The family loved them, they're moist and very tasty.  Oh, and there's frosting.  And sprinkles.  Sprinkles make everything better.  The only complaint?  Not enough frosting.  Go figure.  They said sugar cookies are supposed to have as much frosting as cookie. :)  If you are like my sugar loving family (that's why they're all so sweet!), double the frosting.  Or triple.  It's up to you.

1 cup butter, softened
1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
2 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sprinkles (the kind used on top of the bars)

Combine butter, cream cheese and sugar in a large bowl and beat until smooth.  Add egg and vanilla and beat until thoroughly mixed.  Add baking powder, baking soda and flour.  Mix until the dry ingredients are thoroughly mixed in.  Spread onto a greased 10x15 inch pan.  Bake at 350 for 20 minutes or until just starting to turn golden around the edges. 

 Frosting:
1/2 cup shortening
2 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 teaspoon butter flavoring
dash salt
2 to 3 tablespoons milk

Combine shortening, powdered sugar and salt and mix until well combined.  Add vanilla extract, butter flavoring and milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, and mix until smooth and desired consistency is reached.  Frost cooled bars and sprinkle with additional sprinkles.

Frosting recipe from The Royal Cook - an original!  Bar recipe from Cookies & Cups.

 Linked on Sweets for a Saturday.