Sugar Cookie Bars

(photo stolen from Natalie's blog--she introduced these amazing treats to us!)

Sugar Cookie Bars

(from taste buds)

1 cup butter; room temp.
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp 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 whisk together flour, salt, and soda. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased 13x18 half sheet pan (I usually halve the recipe and it covers most of a standard jelly roll pan). Bake at 375º for 12-15 min, until light golden brown.

Frosting:
1/2 cup butter; room temp
1/2 cup shortening

1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

Combine butter and shortening until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk & mix until it's a smooth spreading consistency.

Here's how you can make them into Christmas trees: I cut the rows, but then into triangles instead of squares.

 Then frosted them individually with a pastry tip and added mini M&M's as ornaments!