Chewy Coconut Bars and Sugar Cookie Bars

I am testing out some new cookie and bar recipes in anticipation of baking another cookie table for the wedding.  These two recipes are keepers.

Coconut bars ingredients: (I doubled this and used a 9X13 pan)

• 1/2 cup butter
• 2 cups light brown sugar
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 cup flour
• 1 1/2 cups sweetened flaked coconut

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Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Line a 9×9 baking dish with foil and coat with nonstick spray.
2. In a medium saucepan melt butter over medium-low heat. Once butter is melted, continue cooking until it boils, swirling the pan constantly so the butter doesn’t burn. Slowly the butter will begin to brown. Once it has reached an amber color remove from the heat and stir in the brown sugar until completely combined. Using a rubber spatula stir in the eggs, vanilla, salt and baking powder.
3. Next stir in the flour until incorporated and then finally the coconut.
4. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake for 20 minutes. The edges will be golden and the center will be almost set.
5. Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting into squares.

For the sugar cookie bars: (I doubled this and used a 9X13 pan)

• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter softened to room temp.
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 cup festive sprinkles

For the frosting:

• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 1 stick (1/2 cup) salted butter softened to room temp.
• 3 tbsp cream cheese softened
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 tsp. almond ext.
• 2 tbsp milk
• additional sprinkles

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 350f degrees. Line a 9x9" baking pan with parchment paper.
• Beat together butter and sugar until fluffy, then beat in egg and vanilla. Finally, beat in flour and baking powder, a little at a time, until you have a thick batter. Gently stir in the sprinkles.
• Spread batter into it prepared baking pan.
• Bake at 350f degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Once it's finished baking, take cookie bar out of the oven and allow to cool fully. Once it is cooled, carefully lift the sides of the parchment paper to pull the whole cookie bar out of the baking pan.
• To make the frosting, blend together powdered sugar, butter, cream cheese, vanilla and milk with an electric mixer. Spread frosting generously on cookie bar, and top with additional sprinkles.
• Cut into squares and serve immediately or let frosting set for a firmer feel. (I refrigerated these before cutting)

 A yummy cream cheese, buttercream frosting.

 Depending on the size you cut these, you can get about 30 squares from each pan.

My friends will be happy to taste test these for me.