Cake Batter Bars

Mondays are so much better as holidays.  Come back, Labor Day!  *sigh*

Since we all have to be legitimate people today, I thought I’d offer you these fun cake batter bars as a consolation.  Mondays + sprinkles = almost a holiday, right? 😉

Although you can easily use a boxed cake mix to make “cake batter bars” (and I do! and they’re delicious!), sometimes I like to do things the old-fashioned way… you know, from scratch.

The key to making these crisp, chewy bars taste like cake?  Oh, just the usual suspects — butter, sugar, vanilla… and lots of it. 🙂

This recipe could easily be made into cake batter “cookies” instead of bars — simply chill the dough for about 20 minutes, then drop by rounded tablespoon onto a cookie sheet.  Bars or cookies, they’ll both brighten your day!

[print_this]Cake Batter Bars

Crispy, chewy cookie bars that taste and look like confetti cake.  Add a layer of frosting for a real “cake-like” treat.

Makes about 16 bars

Prep time: 15 minutes

Cook time: 20 minutes

• 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
• 1 cup granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 large egg
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla
• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons sprinkles
• 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
• Extra sprinkles for topping (optional)

Heat the oven to 350 degrees.  Spray a 8- or 9-inch square baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

In a large mixing bowl, beat the butter and sugars until creamy.  Add the eggs and vanilla, mixing until smooth.

In a separate mixing bowl, stir the baking powder, salt, and flour.  Gradually add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients, mixing until blended.  Stir in the sprinkles and white chocolate chips

Spread the cookie dough into the prepared baking pan.  Top with extra sprinkles (about 1 tablespoon), if desired.  Bake 20 minutes or until the edges are golden brown (the bars may seem undercooked when you pull them from the oven, but they will set as they cool).  Allow the bars to cool completely before cutting.[/print_this]