Happy 4th, have a cookie!

Our good friend is coming over with her boys this afternoon to eat and celebrate.  She let this pregnant lady be lazy and she is bringing along the main course, BBQ sandwiches, yum!  So, I didn't have to do much but grab some chips and chop some veggies for dip. 

I did want to make a special cookie and this recipe from Annie's Eats sounded delicious

Ingredients:

For the cookie bars:

• 5 cups flour
• 1 teas salt
• 1/2 teas baking soda
• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 2 cups sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 2 teas vanilla extract
• Zest from 1 lemon

For the frosting:

• 1 cup unsalted butter, softened
• 1 teas vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt
• 4 cups confectioners’ sugar
• 5 tbs milk
• Food coloring

Preparation:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a large baking sheet (13″x18″) with parchment paper and grease.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, and baking soda and set aside.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time until incorporated, scraping down the sides as needed. Mix in the vanilla and lemon zest. Add the flour mixture a little at a time until just combined.
Using your hands or a flat bottomed glass, press the cookie mixture into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 10-15 minutes, until light golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack before adding the frosting.
Make the frosting: In the bowl of your stand mixer, cream the butter until smooth. Add the vanilla and salt. With the mixer on low, slowly add the confectioners’ sugar. Add the milk, if needed to create a smooth texture. If using food coloring, mix it in now.
Spread the frosting evenly over bars, cut evenly, and serve.


The quantity sounded like a bit much and truthfully I was terrified if they were there I'd just eat them all so I halved it and they turned out great.  I tinted my frosting blue then did my best attempt at firework designs in red.  They kinda look like spiderwebs but who is gonna complain when they are eating a frosted sugar cookie?

Enjoy!