Happy Birthday Bars & August's Give-Away-Apron

August is a celebratory month--today, is my sister Barbara's birthday, Monday, our daughter Erin will celebrate hers and this is also the month that I started My Mother's Apron Strings.  Actually, our daughter Kelly set up the blog for me since I'm one big klutz technically:-D

This cookie bar (and others) is in the latest Food Network magazine and I'm a sucker for birthday cake, so I was anxious to try this simple recipe.  Mom always made our birthdays special by allowing us to choose what kind of cake; not a fancy, expensive party with clowns, ponies, or magicians, but family dinners with our choice of cake.  Memorable!

Happy Birthday Bars
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
3 large eggs
1 T Vanilla extract
1/2 cup multi-color sprinkles

2 cups King Arthur all-purpose flour
1/8 tsp. salt

Vanilla Frosting:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature
2 cups confectioners' sugar
4 oz. white chocolate, melted
1 T Vanilla extract

Preheat oven to 350F-degrees.  Line a 9" x 13" baking pan with aluminum foil and spray with a baking spray.  Set aside.

In a large bowl, using a wire whisk, mix the sugar, melted butter and vanilla together.  Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Switch to using a rubber spatula, add the flour and salt, then, add the multi-color sprinkles and stir to combine.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth to cover completely.

 Bake in preheated oven for 23-25 minutes just until a light golden color.

Allow the bars to cool, then icing them with the vanilla frosting and sprinkle on more multi-color sprinkles.  Enjoy!

I spent the day in my sewing room catching up on projects.  It's been so hot, but we finally did get some rain.  Here is August's Give-Away Apron, which coincidentally reminds me of these sprinkles:-D  Just comment on any of the posts this month and you could be wearing this apron in September!