Cream Cheese Frosting

1 pkg. cream cheese ~ softened
5 T. butter ~ softened
2 t. vanilla
2 c. powdered sugar

Mix together cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Add powdered sugar, mix until smooth! Use to frost cinnamon rolls, sugar cookies, or cupcakes!

Sugar Cookie Bars

I think these are great! The yumminess of a sugar cookie without all the work! This recipe and yummy picture from "My Baking Addition". She posts a really great frosting recipe but you could probably use any frosting you have. She also cut them into cute bars and frosted them really cute but you could just frost them while they are in the pan and then cut into squares.

1 cup butter; room temperature

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

5 cups flour

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla & mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt & soda & stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and frost.

Frosting:

1/2 cup butter; room temperature

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 smooth and spreading consistency. Spread over cooled cookie.

Basic Buttercream Frosting

3½ c. unsifted powdered sugar ~ store brands work best
½ c. Crisco shortening
¼ c. water or milk
½ t. vanilla
½ t. lemon extract ~ do not use lemon juice
pinch of salt

Mix all ingredients together until well mixed. Frosting should be fairly stiff. If too soft, add some more powdered sugar.