Patriotic Swirl Sugar Cookie Bars

Ingredients

For the 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
For the 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

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. First beat the butter, cream cheese, sugar and egg until nice and frothy. This will take about 4 min.
3. Add vanilla and almond extract. Beat about 1 min.
4. 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.
5. 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 for about 20-25 minutes. Cool completely.
6. 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.