Ingredients:
- 2 sticks butter, room temperature, plus more for greasing the pan
- 2¾ cups all-purpose flour
- ½ tsp. salt
- 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, at room temperature
- 1½ cups sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tsp. vanilla
Ingredients for frosting:
- 6 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 Tbsp. heavy cream
- 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- ¼ tsp.salt
- Drop or two gel food coloring
- assorted sprinkles, for decorating
Directions:
- Heat oven to 350 F. Lightly butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Line pan with parchment paper, running it up the two long sides of the pan and letting it extend past the rim by about 2 inches.
- For the bars: In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt.
- In a large bowl with an electric mixer or in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat butter and cream cheese on medium speed until well blended, about 1 minute. Add granulated sugar and beat until smooth, about 1 minute. Add egg and vanilla and beat on low speed until well combined, about 1 minute. Turn off the mixer and scrape down the bowl with a rubber spatula.
- Gradually add flour mixture, mixing on low speed just until blended, about 1 minute. Using a spatula, scrape the dough into the prepared baking pan and spread it into an even layer.
- Bake just until the edges are starting to turn light golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the middle has moist crumbs, 20 to 25 minutes. Be careful not to overbake.
- Remove the pan from the oven and set on a wire rack. Let cool completely. When fully cooled, remove the bars from the pan using the overhanging parchment paper.
- FOR THE FROSTING: Place butter in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment. Beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 1 minute. Add 1 cup confectioners’ sugar, beating on low speed until fully combined and then repeat with remaining 1 cup confectioners’ sugar. Add the heavy cream, lemon juice, vanilla, salt and food coloring and beat on medium speed until the frosting is light and fluffy, scraping down the sides halfway through. Add more milk if needed to thin out the mixture. Add more vanilla to taste.
- Using a spatula, spread the frosting on top and then decorate with sprinkles, if using.
