Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars

Let's enjoy a cup of tea and a cookie bar by my little waterfall. 

 

My teapot flower arrangements that were made for my annual tea party,  have lasted for two weeks.  Trader Joe's flowers are such a great buy.  I had made four arrangements for the tables and they still look good.  In fact, the baby's breath was actually from Easter.  My grandson Caiden, and his now fiancé gave me a box of 9 different flavors of tea that came in so handy for my big tea party.  Today, I'm sharing four:  Very Berry, Passionfruit, Apricot, or Mango.  What would you choose?  All nine flavors were either green, white, or one black.

Would you like the Kent Pottery teacup in the back, or the Royal Stuart lily of the valley in the front?  The napkins were what I had used for the ladies at my annual tea party.  Can you see my new whimsical trellis that I bought from my favorite Calloway's Nursery?  I wanted something to hide/disguise my metal fence post, and I think it helps.

After winning the giveaway of the 2026 Rose Collection at Calloway's Nursery, I wanted to show my appreciation to the staff.  These cream cheese sugar cookie bars were made to thank them, for they are so kind, friendly, knowledgeable, helpful, and courteous.  It's one of my happy places!

If you'd rather make soft frosted sugar cookies and not bars,  you can check out this recipe here, that my grandchildren and I made years ago.  They're so good, too!

Yield: at least 24

Author: Kitty, but recipe is adapted from Tina Verrilli

Cream Cheese Sugar Cookie Bars

These bars are so wonderfully soft and with different sprinkles, can be changed up for the season or holiday. Bake some and share to make others happy!

Ingredients

• Bars:
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (1-stick) butter, softened
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1 large egg
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• Buttercream Frosting:
• 1/2 cup (1-stick) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 3-4 tablespoons milk
• food coloring & sprinkles if desired

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease 13 x 9 " baking pan.
2. For the Bars:
3. In medium bowl, mix together flour, baking powder and salt.
4. In large bowl, cream together butter, cream cheese and sugar. This will take several minutes - it should be fluffy and lighter in color. Beat in egg and vanilla.
5. Mix the flour mixture into the butter mixture until just combined. Press the dough into the prepared baking pan with greased spatula or damp hands.
6. Bake the cookie bars for about 20 minutes or until cookie bars are just golden on the edges.
7. Let cool completely in pan before frosting.
8. Buttercream Frosting:
9. In large bowl, beat together butter, vanilla, 2 cups of powdered sugar and a tablespoon milk until smooth and creamy.
10. Gradually add the rest of the sugar and as much milk as needed to reach desired consistency. Use food coloring to color the frosting if desired.
11. Frost the cookie bars and add sprinkles if desired.
12. You can store for up to 3 days in an airtight container or freeze.

Thank you for your visit!  xo

I'm sharing with these parties:

Talking About It Tuesdays

Love Your Creativity Link Party

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage