Makes 12 - 24 bars (however big/small you feel like cutting them) 

Base Cookie:

2 ½ Cups flour

½ tsp. baking powder

½ tsp. salt

½ Cup butter. Softened

1 Cup sugar

1 egg

2 Tbsp. sour cream

1 tsp. vanilla

Fluffy Frosting:

½ Cup (1 stick)  butter, softened

4 Cup powdered sugar

¼ Cup heavy whipping cream 

Pinch of salt

Food coloring of your choice 

Part 1: Cookie Base!

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit & line a 9 inch by 13 inch rectangular baking pan with Parchment paper (parchment is WAY better than greasing because it’s easy, effective and little clean-up woo!) 

2. In a mixmaster (or a large bowl using a hand mixer) beat the butter and sugar on high speed for 3 minutes until they’re Fluffy & Smooth and pale in color. 

3. Add the sour cream, egg & vanilla until creamed together

4. Add flour, baking powder & Salt and mix on low speed until combined. The dough might appear slightly crumbly and this is OK) 

5. Press the dough into the bottom of the prepared baking pan with your hands. TIP: I wet my hands before pressing down so the dough doesn’t constantly stick to my hands

6. Bake the sugar cookie base for 16-18 minutes, make sure NO browning occurs on the edges. If it does start browning, get that baby out of the oven!

7. Let the cookie cooooool to room temp while you make the frosting. 

   Part 2: Frosting!

8. In a mixmaster or large bowl with hand mixer, whip the butter on high speed for four minutes - until it is smooth and pale in color

9. Add the powdered sugar ½ cup at a time until it’s well incorporated

10. While the mixer is still whirling, ad the whipping cream in a steady stream until the consistency is spreadable (but not too thin). You may only need 4 or 5 Tablespoons of cream 

11. Add vanilla, sea salt, and food coloring and whirl together.

12.  Spread the frosting over the TOTALLY cooled base. If it’s still warm, you’ll ruin everything! 

13. Refrigerate the pan for an hour before slicing, in order to let the frosting firm for frosting. I recommend running your knife under hot water, then drying the knife off with a towel before cutting each slice. The heat of the hot water will create even, clean cuts through the butter. 

14. …and just like that...you’ve made the world a little sweeter :)