Apple Pie Sugar Cookie Bars

Pinterest has changed my life. I am doing things that I would have never thought of doing on my own! I no longer receive odd looks from the hardware store guy, he just shakes his head and says, "Is this a Pinterest project?" I can envision ideas, then search for them on Pinterest for help executing them. I can then show my husband, who would normally just look at me and tell me I am crazy, and actually show him the final project. I am getting a lot less "no" lately. And food. Don't even get me started on all of the delicious and creative recipes being pinned!

These Apple Pie Sugar Cookie Bars are actually one of the recipes I came across while looking for uses of the ten thousand apples we picked. I love cookie bars and have posted them before so it was only natural that I began salivating while seeing these pictures, and had to make them pronto.

The original recipe comes from Lemons For Lulu. I really did not do much to change it besides adding some apple pie spices. Side note: if you actually have apple pie spice, omit all of the spices and just add 3 ½ teaspoons of that. I also switched up the brown butter frosting for a cinnamon frosting. These bars are fantastic and would be great at a party or gathering!

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Apple Pie Sugar Cookie Bars

Author: Jackie

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 5 cups flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon cardamom
• 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 2 cups diced , peeled apples

Cinnamon Frosting

• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon
• 2 ½ cups powdered sugar
• 3 tablespoons milk

Instructions

1. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.
2. Grease or line a 13x18 in baking sheet.
3. Start by creaming together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy in your mixer.
4. Add eggs one at a time, mixing in between each addition.
5. Add vanilla.
6. In a separate bowl, mix flour, salt, baking soda and spices.
7. Add the flour mixture to the butter/egg mixture in 1 cup increments, mixing well after each addition.
8. Add apples and mix until just combined.
9. Spread dough on to the baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes or until a toothpick is inserted and comes out clean.

For the frosting

1. Combine all of the ingredients and beat on low until mixed.
2. Once everything is combined, increase your mixer speed to medium high.
3. Beat frosting for 3 minutes.
4. Spread frosting over cooled bars, cut and serve!