• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a metal 9×13 pan with cooking spray or cake release and line the pan with parchment paper (see the photo in the post)
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and sugar. Beat with an electric mixer on medium speed until combined. Add the egg, vanilla, and almond extract. Mix just until combined.
  1 cup Butter, 1 cup Sugar, 1 Large Egg, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 1 teaspoon Almond Extract
• Add the baking powder, cornstarch, and half of the flour. Mix on low speed until the flour is just incorporated, then add the remaining flour. Continue mixing until a uniform dough forms. It should have a texture similar to playdoh.
  2 ¼ cups All-Purpose Flour, 1 ½ teaspoon Baking Powder, 2 teaspoon Cornstarch
• Place the dough into the prepared pan and use the back of a greased spatula or wet hands to gently press the dough into an even layer.
• Bake the bars in the preheated oven for 15-18 minutes or until they are just starting to brown. The center may still look slightly underdone. Be sure not to overbake them! Allow the bars to cool completely before frosting them.

For the Frosting:

• While the bars are cooling, prepare the frosting. In a large bowl beat the butter on medium speed (using a paddle attachment if your mixer has one) until it is light and fluffy (about 1-2 minutes)
  ½ cup Butter
• Add the vanilla extract, powdered sugar, and food coloring if you are using it. Mix on low speed just until the sugar is incorporated, then increase to high speed. Beat for 2 minutes until it is light and fluffy.
  2 cups Powdered Sugar, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
• Add 2 tablespoons of cream and beat for 30 seconds. If the frosting is too thick, add an additional tablespoon of cream.
  2-3 tablespoon Heavy Cream, Food coloring
• Spread the frosting over the bars and smooth it into an even layer. Top with sprinkles if desired. Slice the bars and enjoy!
  Sprinkles